CRISPR - First Human Embryos 'Edited' in U.S.

[MankyScotsGit]

Greeting tWebbers,

I know very little about this topic so I'm wondering what the reaction to it has been amongst Americans, in particular if the Trump Administration / supporters and Republican Party in general are in support or against.

The work, which removed a gene mutation linked to a heart condition, is fueling debate over the controversial tool known as CRISPR.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2...&sf103086058=1

Regards

Manky

[rogue06]

My gut instinct is that while it will prove tremendously beneficial in eliminating some really bad genetic defects it will probably be mostly used to create "designer children." What I mean is that parents will use it to custom design their babies with certain physical traits that they find desirable.

[MankyScotsGit]

My daughter got lucky - my brains and MrsManky's looks.

[Sparko]

My gut instinct is that while it will prove tremendously beneficial in eliminating some really bad genetic defects it will probably be mostly used to create "designer children." What I mean is that parents will use it to custom design their babies with certain physical traits that they find desirable.

Or create an unwanted mutation that kills off the human race and starts the zombie apocalypse.

[rogue06]

My daughter got lucky - my brains and MrsManky's looks.

Well one outta two ain't bad

[Sparko]

I don't like the idea that they are experimenting on human embryos (which they then kill)

[Bill the Cat]

Like Sparko said... they have no idea what side effects this will cause long term...

[Sparko]

Like Sparko said... they have no idea what side effects this will cause long term...

It can be used for good and bad. They could cure diabetes and other genetic diseases, they could change the DNA in organs so that they no longer have to match the organ to the person, or make them take anti-rejection drugs, cure cancer. but they could also use it to make a slave race of dumb compliant people, or accidentally make the human race infertile and die off, or create worse birth defects, or anything. And these modifications or accidents could be transmitted on in their children, causing untold harm to future generations.

People were worried about GMO corn? How about GMO kids?

[Mountain Man]

It can be used for good and bad. They could cure diabetes and other genetic diseases, they could change the DNA in organs so that they no longer have to match the organ to the person, or make them take anti-rejection drugs, cure cancer. but they could also use it to make a slave race of dumb compliant people, or accidentally make the human race infertile and die off, or create worse birth defects, or anything. And these modifications or accidents could be transmitted on in their children, causing untold harm to future generations.

People were worried about GMO corn? How about GMO kids?

All valid objections, but suppose the process was perfectly safe and predictable? Would you still object? That's what I'm struggling with. Yes, the process in the hands of those who are immoral and unethical could be horrific, but is the practice in and of itself immoral and unethical?

[Bill the Cat]

It can be used for good and bad. They could cure diabetes and other genetic diseases, they could change the DNA in organs so that they no longer have to match the organ to the person, or make them take anti-rejection drugs, cure cancer. but they could also use it to make a slave race of dumb compliant people, or accidentally make the human race infertile and die off, or create worse birth defects, or anything. And these modifications or accidents could be transmitted on in their children, causing untold harm to future generations.

People were worried about GMO corn? How about GMO kids?

I would think where they replaced the gene would make it a weaker bond in the chromosome, making it more susceptible to other maladies. For example, fixing diabetes could end up increasing pancreatic cancer if the chromosome mutates at the weakened genetic area. It could also get passed on, and in a few generations, mutate to something deadly for the humans that inherit it.

[Darth Executor]

I would think where they replaced the gene would make it a weaker bond in the chromosome, making it more susceptible to other maladies. For example, fixing diabetes could end up increasing pancreatic cancer if the chromosome mutates at the weakened genetic area. It could also get passed on, and in a few generations, mutate to something deadly for the humans that inherit it.

if it mutates in a few generation it would be in a limited number of people (probably only 1) who will then fail to reproduce because they're dead. there's a reason why genetic disorders are fairly rare, and tend to spring up in incestuous relationships (intentional or otherwise).

[rogue06]

if it mutates in a few generation it would be in a limited number of people (probably only 1) who will then fail to reproduce because they're dead. there's a reason why genetic disorders are fairly rare, and tend to spring up in incestuous relationships (intentional or otherwise).

Natural selection in action.

[Sparko]

[Sparko]

One scary scenario is that someone could engineer genetic "bombs" to eliminate their enemies. They could create a disease that only targets a specific population. Say, some racist nutjob wants to eliminate all white, or asians, or jews. He could create a disease that only attacks people with specific genes and kills them.

[Leonhard]

One scary scenario is that someone could engineer genetic "bombs" to eliminate their enemies. They could create a disease that only targets a specific population. Say, some racist nutjob wants to eliminate all white, or asians, or jews. He could create a disease that only attacks people with specific genes and kills them.

It'd be all but impossible, as there are basically no genetic differences between caucasians, jews and blacks. All the genes in one gene pool, exist in any other gene pool. At best there's some mutations that are more common amongst certain ethnicities, but that's about it. Any attempt at creating such a virus would come back to hurt the one who launched it.

The lack of any significant genetic difference other than what is expected family relatedness, is one of many reasons that the concept of race as a biological reality is dead.