What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

[Bard A Madsen]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

Brilliant film!

Thanks, watched it last night. It was good, but got lost, I thought his better brother drown somehow... And he didn't know his dad was taking urine samples ??? Still I liked it.

[Medusa]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

They messed around with Wolvie's body. Taking advantage of his mutation to pretty much withstand an Ebola chocolate shake with a side of zombie virus. They made a weapon out of him. You know the military will swoop on down for this.

[B. de Corbin]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

IMHO - no matter how it goes, there will be elements of humanity who chose not to do it, just as there are Amish, who chose not to engage in current technology.

There will be differentiation, and who will be "right," and who will be "wrong" will be sorted out by future history. "History," as Neitzsche wrote, "will judge."

[Azvanna]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

One of the comments in the source read:

GMO humans. I wonder if there will be an opposition movement.

The human vs X-Men struggle is the very first thing that came to mind!

Editing genes.. I think I'd like to just keep doing it through natural selection. Saying that humans have been tampering with genetics since we could plant seeds isn't quite the same as tampering with DNA in a lab, especially when it comes to sentient beings. We have a fair amount of control over the destiny of plants and sentient animals even, but the destiny of a human life (eg reproduction) is a thing we lack control over. I think we're in over our heads.


This kind of science is such a good example of light and shadow and the paradox. For the great good is can do, an equal amount of evil could be unleashed.

Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm, wrote a short story on the subject of editing human DNA and made some brilliant commentary on being frightfully perfect, the intrinsic value of life and the beautiful achievements that can be accomplished when making allowances for mistakes and risk-taking. The story is called 'Drum Machine' and it can be found in her anthology 'The Inheritance.' I want to post a couple of spoilers that illustrate the point. So Kalynrae, the spoilers aren't for your eyes!

An essential flashback:

Spoiler!

Music isn't supposed to be "right", it's supposed to be music. Alive. Growing, and changing. If it doesn't change, then how are you going to get from "right" to "better"?'

I'd made one final try. 'Isn't it just as likely to be "worse" as "better"?' I'd asked him.

"Chesterson. That's the chance you've got to take. That's how you know you're alive.'

and the last paragraphs that bring it home:

Spoiler!

But I didn't eat. I went to the living room and took down my keyboard. I turned on the meida wall and plugged it in. I set up for video, audio, body vibes, lights, the whole show. I pulle dup Blood Blisters, the stuidio track that Cliff had despised. I helmeted in so the sound wouldn't disturb the neighbours, and I turned it on. Then I played along with it, keyboard in my lap, exactly as we'd played it that day in the studio, proving to myself that I still had it. Then I reset and played it again. I sounded just as great. By the time I finished the third run through, I was dripping sweat. I leaned back and cranked up the audience roar I'd spliced in at the end. I lifted my arms and held them wide until it died off into white noise.

I took off the helmet and shook my sweaty hair loose. So much for you, Cliff Wangle. You're dead and Chesterson is still as good as he ever was. So who's the real musician now? I headed for the shower, grinning, triumphant. There's nothing like knowing you can do it. I could have played it a hundred time and each repetition would have been just as good as the first.

[anunitu]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

I,want my MTV...not the crap version now,but the one with really cool videos!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sean R. R.]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

I want super humans and mutants. Everywhere.

[B. de Corbin]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

This is a can of worms humanity isn't ready for yet.

Ready or not, here we go!

Wheeeeeeeeeeee...


(For those of you who want to try gene editing at home, it is open-source. Here is your gene editing guide.)

[Marradin]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

This is a can of worms humanity isn't ready for yet.

We're just too immature as a species- how long before someone comes up with an idea to "Standardize the human population" in the interests of peace ect? If human diversity ends or is reduced by this than bye bye human race.

[Spiny Norman]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

GATTACA, anyone?

Brilliant film!

[Munin-Hugin]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

GATTACA, anyone?

[B. de Corbin]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

This is pretty cool too - I heard about it on Science Friday:

Center for PostNatural History

[thalassa]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

Wait is this discussion about editing existing DNA (which I'm pretty sure you can't do) or editing the DNA of a potential child via IVF?

At this point, its the latter, though I think we closer than the general public realizes to the former.

Crispr can work on any individual cell type, though its not good (yet) at targeting the desired gene in an entire embryo...but I think its only a matter of time before we figure out how to precisely insert genes into the cells in an entire body or an affected organ.



Some articles on the technique and its implications, for those that want to know about the future of humanity:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/27/us/2015-11-27-us-animal-gene-editing.html?_r=0

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/crispr-dna-editing-2/

http://www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-gene-editing-embryo-20150503-story.html

[Medusa]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

Judging by half the wakadoo responses just on this thread..we really need to stop fiddling with things before we create something we will surely regret.

[Serria]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

Wait is this discussion about editing existing DNA (which I'm pretty sure you can't do) or editing the DNA of a potential child via IVF? The reason I ask is because as someone with genetic disorders, if there were a way to spare my future children of having any chance of inheriting my disorders, I would do anything to provide that, and have children of my own someday.

[anunitu]

Re: What is your opinion on editing human DNA?

I myself think public officials need to focus on the public good,and much less on their political advantage that make them make decisions based on politics rather than what is right and good for the kids.