Morena
03-20-2015, 05:13 PM
Scientists Seek Ban on Method of Editing the Human Genome
(http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/20/science/biologists-call-for-halt-to-gene-editing-technique-in-humans.html?hpw&rref=science&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well)
A group of leading biologists on Thursday called for a worldwide moratorium on use of a new genome-editing technique that would alter human DNA in a way that can be inherited.
The biologists fear that the new technique is so effective and easy to use that some physicians may push ahead before its safety can be assessed. They also want the public to understand the ethical issues surrounding the technique, which could be used to cure genetic diseases, but also to enhance qualities like beauty or intelligence. The latter is a path that many ethicists believe should never be taken.
“You could exert control over human heredity with this technique, and that is why we are raising the issue,” said David Baltimore, a former president of the California Institute of Technology and a member of the group whose paper on the topic was published in the journal Science.
Ethicists, for decades, have been concerned about the dangers of altering the human germline — meaning to make changes to human sperm, eggs or embryos that will last through the life of the individual and be passed on to future generations. Until now, these worries have been theoretical. But a technique invented in 2012 makes it possible to edit the genome precisely and with much greater ease. The technique has already been used to edit the genomes of mice, rats and monkeys, and few doubt that it would work the same way in people.
The technique holds the power to repair or enhance any human gene. “It raises the most fundamental of issues about how we are going to view our humanity in the future and whether we are going to take the dramatic step of modifying our own germline and in a sense take control of our genetic destiny, which raises enormous peril for humanity,” said George Q. Daley, a stem cell expert at Boston Children’s Hospital and a member of the group.
I thought that beauty was a social construct and intelligence was only due to environmental factors. :roll eyes:
I don't see how people can argue that it is ok to genetically engineer plants and animals but not humans. Especially if one does not make a distinction between them, i.e., that humans are merely higher-order animals, then there is no logical reason to ban this.
Like all technologies, once it is discovered, it will not be contained. Even if it is banned in certain places, there will be certain countries that will not have any historical or ethical reasons not to pursue the course. Couples would just become genetic tourist. And unless they make the child look wildly different from themselves, who would know?
Gattaca here we come.
http://www.frontporchrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/gattaca.jpg
(http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/20/science/biologists-call-for-halt-to-gene-editing-technique-in-humans.html?hpw&rref=science&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well)
A group of leading biologists on Thursday called for a worldwide moratorium on use of a new genome-editing technique that would alter human DNA in a way that can be inherited.
The biologists fear that the new technique is so effective and easy to use that some physicians may push ahead before its safety can be assessed. They also want the public to understand the ethical issues surrounding the technique, which could be used to cure genetic diseases, but also to enhance qualities like beauty or intelligence. The latter is a path that many ethicists believe should never be taken.
“You could exert control over human heredity with this technique, and that is why we are raising the issue,” said David Baltimore, a former president of the California Institute of Technology and a member of the group whose paper on the topic was published in the journal Science.
Ethicists, for decades, have been concerned about the dangers of altering the human germline — meaning to make changes to human sperm, eggs or embryos that will last through the life of the individual and be passed on to future generations. Until now, these worries have been theoretical. But a technique invented in 2012 makes it possible to edit the genome precisely and with much greater ease. The technique has already been used to edit the genomes of mice, rats and monkeys, and few doubt that it would work the same way in people.
The technique holds the power to repair or enhance any human gene. “It raises the most fundamental of issues about how we are going to view our humanity in the future and whether we are going to take the dramatic step of modifying our own germline and in a sense take control of our genetic destiny, which raises enormous peril for humanity,” said George Q. Daley, a stem cell expert at Boston Children’s Hospital and a member of the group.
I thought that beauty was a social construct and intelligence was only due to environmental factors. :roll eyes:
I don't see how people can argue that it is ok to genetically engineer plants and animals but not humans. Especially if one does not make a distinction between them, i.e., that humans are merely higher-order animals, then there is no logical reason to ban this.
Like all technologies, once it is discovered, it will not be contained. Even if it is banned in certain places, there will be certain countries that will not have any historical or ethical reasons not to pursue the course. Couples would just become genetic tourist. And unless they make the child look wildly different from themselves, who would know?
Gattaca here we come.
http://www.frontporchrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/gattaca.jpg