03-16-2016, 07:31 PM
I don't have a problem with it. If you edit a gene, you are simply changing the nitrogenous base sequence. The trick is to have the edited gene still be viable. The fear of unintended consequences, while reasonable, should not be as great as you think. Once the genome was successfully mapped, its not that difficult a leap to determine which genes code for what traits. Also, epistatic genes are fairly easy to determine also. As to the point of the new "dangerous" genes would be passed on in the gene pool forever... that's only true if the individuals who have those genes would continue to choose to pass them on and reproduce anyway. It could get to the point that by the time those individuals are of reproductive age, the technology may exist to re-edit those genes and make them "safe" again. I say go ahead with the research.
