Post by Charles1952 on Feb 2, 2016 1:31:57 GMT -6
All right, this has gone quite far enough, thank you. The UK is responsible for this one, the story is coming from the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/health-35459054
I can't see that it will remain illegal to implant those into a woman. There will be a developing baby, freed from whatever gene the scientists "adjust," why not use it, it sounds like just another case of in vitro fertilization, or whatever it's called.
Sorry, that scares me. Anyone else? By the way, what happens if they do find a "Gay Gene?" I don't like the effect this will have on the concept of human life. If it's not properly "Gened" either change it, or toss it out. But why worry, the "regulatory system is functioning well to keep science aligned with societal interests." I hope your children are aligned with societal interests.
www.bbc.com/news/health-35459054
UK scientists have been given the go-ahead by the fertility regulator to genetically modify human embryos. It is the first time a country has considered the DNA-altering technique in embryos and approved it.
It will be illegal for the scientists to implant the modified embryos into a woman. But the field is attracting controversy over concerns it is opening the door to designer - or GM - babies.
The experiments will take place in the first seven days after fertilisation. During this time we go from a fertilised egg to a structure called a blastocyst, containing 200-300 cells.
The work will be led by Dr Kathy Niakan, who has spent a decade researching human development. Earlier this year, she explained why she had applied to edit human embryos: "We would really like to understand the genes needed for a human embryo to develop successfully into a healthy baby." It is likely these genes are guiding our early development, but it is unclear exactly what they are doing or what goes wrong in miscarriage. The researchers will alter these genes in donated embryos, which will be destroyed after seven days.
It will be illegal for the scientists to implant the modified embryos into a woman. But the field is attracting controversy over concerns it is opening the door to designer - or GM - babies.
The experiments will take place in the first seven days after fertilisation. During this time we go from a fertilised egg to a structure called a blastocyst, containing 200-300 cells.
The work will be led by Dr Kathy Niakan, who has spent a decade researching human development. Earlier this year, she explained why she had applied to edit human embryos: "We would really like to understand the genes needed for a human embryo to develop successfully into a healthy baby." It is likely these genes are guiding our early development, but it is unclear exactly what they are doing or what goes wrong in miscarriage. The researchers will alter these genes in donated embryos, which will be destroyed after seven days.
I can't see that it will remain illegal to implant those into a woman. There will be a developing baby, freed from whatever gene the scientists "adjust," why not use it, it sounds like just another case of in vitro fertilization, or whatever it's called.
Dr David King, the director of Human Genetics Alert, said: "This research will allow the scientists to refine the techniques for creating GM babies, and many of the government's scientific advisers have already decided that they are in favour of allowing that.
"So this is the first step in a well mapped-out process leading to GM babies, and a future of consumer eugenics."
Dr Sarah Chan, from the University of Edinburgh, said: "The use of genome editing technologies in embryo research touches on some sensitive issues, therefore it is appropriate that this research and its ethical implications have been carefully considered by the HFEA before being given approval to proceed. We should feel confident that our regulatory system in this area is functioning well to keep science aligned with social interests."
"So this is the first step in a well mapped-out process leading to GM babies, and a future of consumer eugenics."
Dr Sarah Chan, from the University of Edinburgh, said: "The use of genome editing technologies in embryo research touches on some sensitive issues, therefore it is appropriate that this research and its ethical implications have been carefully considered by the HFEA before being given approval to proceed. We should feel confident that our regulatory system in this area is functioning well to keep science aligned with social interests."
Sorry, that scares me. Anyone else? By the way, what happens if they do find a "Gay Gene?" I don't like the effect this will have on the concept of human life. If it's not properly "Gened" either change it, or toss it out. But why worry, the "regulatory system is functioning well to keep science aligned with societal interests." I hope your children are aligned with societal interests.
