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A British researcher has received permission to use a powerful new genome editing technique on human embryos, even though researchers throughout the world are observing a voluntary moratorium on making changes to DNA that could be passed down to subsequent generations.
The British experiment would not contravene the moratorium because there is no intention to implant the altered embryos in a womb. But it brings one step closer the fateful decision of whether to alter the human germ line for medical or other purposes.
I am on the fence with this decision. On one hand, such research could help so many people beat diseases and even stop congenital issues from ever happening. On the other hand, the idea of designer babies disturbs me. But we've been "playing God" ever since the first healer intervened in another's sickness, right?
My best friend died of cystic fibrosis. If something like this could have helped her, I'm all for it. This was gonna happen sooner or later. Better in a controlled and supervised study.
I am on the fence with this decision. On one hand, such research could help so many people beat diseases and even stop congenital issues from ever happening. On the other hand, the idea of designer babies disturbs me. But we've been "playing God" ever since the first healer intervened in another's sickness, right?
One word
Gattaca
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Originally Posted by SVTLightning
I'm all for it. Why keep an identified Gene if it causes cancer, or heart attacks? Why keep those genetics? be done with them and help mankind.
Many things in life have unintended consequences. So while your thoughts are noble, and probably shared by a great many people, abuses would almost certainly be part of the equation. Not all technology will lead to sci-fi horrors, but the potential for it with gene splicing/manipulation is real.
I'm thinking of the abuses plastic surgery has seen. Plastic surgery started off as a way to help soldiers disfigured in wars. Now look at what its become. I can see the same thing happening with gene editing.
I'm thinking of the abuses plastic surgery has seen. Plastic surgery started off as a way to help soldiers disfigured in wars. Now look at what its become. I can see the same thing happening with gene editing.
So are you suggesting that plastic surgery never should have been explored and advanced?
I think people want to mess with science a little too much. With all the disease curing and extreme life saving methods we try on people, and now this, I don't know. I'm not saying I want people to die or have genetic diseases but what's natural is natural... I don't like the idea of messing with nature too much in this way. Earth is already overpopulated, I don't think we need to be saving every person and taking such extreme measures all the time and even theoretically save people who aren't conceived yet.
I think of people like Jaxon Buell, the baby with anencephaly or microcephaly, whichever he has, and how he has no QOL and very very limited brain function because he was born with virtually no brain to begin with. But look how far they're going to keep him alive - feeding tube, constant exams, dealing with his seizures, episodes of inconsolable crying. Florida 'Miracle Baby' Born Without Most of His Brain Beating the Odds - ABC News It's sad to see this condition happen to a baby but I just think we take things too far with life-saving techniques now.
I think of Darwinism and just natural selection. Not everyone is meant to live. Not every condition is compatible with life. It's sad, but it's how it is. I don't know why we need to try to change it. I sometimes think that before we know it, people will probably be cured of most diseases and able to survive any condition, and life spans may be extended. I think this will have lasting negative implications on society as a whole. I think some aspects of nature need to remain and I think humans, while meaning well, get too involved sometimes because they have good intentions.
I don't see a problem at all, if it helps in the study of genetics & could ultimately help people who miscarry babies or have them born with incurable diseases/disabilities. If anyone thinks this is bad then they obviously don't know about how many other medical advances were made over the centuries that benefit every one of us...
'Dying swans, twisted wings. . . .You are planned and you've been damned. In this brave new world.'
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