Scientists get 'gene editing' go-ahead

[TriGuN]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35459054

UK scientists have been given the go-ahead by the fertility regulator to genetically modify human embryos.

The research will take place at the Francis Crick Institute in London and aims to provide a deeper understanding of the earliest moments of human life.
The experiments will take place on embryos in the first seven days after fertilisation and could explain what goes wrong in miscarriage.

It will be illegal for the scientists to implant the embryos into a woman.

Earlier this year scientist Dr Kathy Niakan explained why she had applied to edit human embryos: "We would really like to understand the genes needed for a human embryo to develop successfully into a healthy baby.
"The reason why it is so important is because miscarriages and infertility are extremely common, but they're not very well understood."

Out of every 100 fertilised eggs, fewer than 50 reach the early blastocyst stage, 25 implant into the womb and only 13 develop beyond three months.
The regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), has given its approval and the experiments could start in the next few months.....

Dr Sarah Chan, from the University of Edinburgh, said: "The use of genome editing technologies in embryo research touches on some sensitive issues, therefore it is appropriate that this research and its ethical implications have been carefully considered by the HFEA before being given approval to proceed.
"We should feel confident that our regulatory system in this area is functioning well to keep science aligned with social interests."

It is beginning

 

[semaphore]

Nice, We should cross a human with a fish so we can breathe underwater.

 

[Ninja'd]

Gattaca.

 

[gregmcc]

Nice, We should cross a human with a fish so we can breathe underwater.

Or the fish can breath on land.

 

[semaphore]

Or the fish can breath on land.

Or squid humans. Possibilities are endless.

 

[gregmcc]

Or squid humans. Possibilities are endless.

Showing my age

 

[SoulTax]

I like it.

About time this was done.

The only issue I have is if we are looking into ways to improve fertility rates and reduce miscarriage and non-starter rates. Then I worry about our population growth. Antibiotics alone boosted our population growth to insane levels.
I just hope that by the time any benefits of this research find their way into the general medical field, that the entire world has reached the "small-ish" family mindset. Much of the world is still catching up.

 

[ɹǝuuᴉM]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35459054


It is beginning

The beginnig of the end -

 

[SoulTax]

The beginnig of the end -

Let's hope so.

The end of the fear of scientific progress that is.

 

[ɹǝuuᴉM]

Don't worry. Luckily, in 50-60y from now we'll be all dead. But our children and almost certainly our grandchildren, will have to finish what we have started.

 

[ISP cash cow]

So the attempt to understand miscarriages and infertility equals " the end is nigh"?

 

[saor]

It will be illegal for the scientists to implant the embryos into a woman.

Ja but we've all heard the stories...
Scientist walking with a syringe trips and accidentally injects the embryo-goo into a woman lying on the floor.

 

[ISP cash cow]

Ja but we've all heard the stories...
Scientist walking with a syringe trips and accidentally injects the embryo-goo into a woman lying on the floor.

You been watching the wrong type of porno. It wasn't a real syringe

 

[Slapdash]

....a world where imperfection is a disease.

 

[ɹǝuuᴉM]

You been watching the wrong type of porno. It wasn't a real syringe

 

[The_Librarian]