03-21-2016, 06:14 PM
(03-16-2016, 11:11 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Since 2012 scientists have been using a tool called CRISPR-Cas9 to find and correct mutations in genes that can cause disease. Some call it a medical miracle that will eliminate genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia, Alzheimer's, and even some cancers. Others call it a science fiction nightmare waiting to happen.
All of the research had been on animals until last year when Chinese scientists reported that they had experimented on human embryos. There was a call for a world wide moratorium on human gene editing, but in February a group of scientist in the UK announced they were going forward with research on human embryos. All embryos will be destroyed within days, so there is still no plan to allow altered human genes to enter the reproductive pool, but everyone knows it is the first step in that direction.
Apparently if an adult has his genes altered to treat a disease the alteration is not passed on to his offspring (not sure how this works), but if the genes are altered in the embryo stage the change is permanent and will be passed on to future generations.
To me this is more than just a fear of a "slippery slope". What I consider a "slippery slope" is looking for unintended or exaggerated consequences from a policy. But in this case it is clear that the only possible goal of these experiments is the ultimate editing of human genes at the embryo level.
At this time I am not against the research, but this is a very very dangerous road to start down.
BTW I thought about posting this in the P&R forum, but it is toxic over there right now. So let's try to keep the discussions reasonable and not turn into an abortion debate or something like that.
with how dumb the gerenal population is getting something has to be done... And apparently fixing the schools hasnt helped.
