General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBreaking Taboo, Swedish Scientist Seeks To Edit DNA Of Healthy Human Embryos
A scientist in Sweden has started trying to edit the DNA in healthy human embryos, NPR has learned.
The step by the developmental biologist Fredrik Lanner makes him the first researcher known to attempt to modify the genes of healthy human embryos. That has long been considered taboo because of safety and ethical concerns.
Lanner is attempting to edit genes in human embryos to learn more about how the genes regulate early embryonic development. He hopes the work could lead to new ways to treat infertility and prevent miscarriages. He also hopes to help scientists learn more about embryonic stem cells so they can someday use them to treat many diseases.
The fear is that Lanner's work could open the door to others attempting to use genetically modified embryos to make babies.
Read more: http://kut.org/post/breaking-taboo-swedish-scientist-seeks-edit-dna-healthy-human-embryos
DetlefK
(16,423 posts)Inside the ruins of the Chernobyl-reactor, there grows a mushroom which has developed a variety of the pigment Melanin. This version of Melanin serves as a protective layer against radioactive radiation and protects the organism to some degree.
Cicada
(4,533 posts)Like it or not the days of homo sapiens are numbered. We will evolve into homo crisprcas9. Really. In a couple generations all men will have huge ducks and all women will have big tilts. And no one will suffer from Trump hair or Palin IQ. Really.
TexasTowelie
(112,660 posts)Yes, really.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)I'm just behind the times.
(Seriously... can anybody tell me how to fix that, it kind of kills the mood.)
randome
(34,845 posts)[hr][font color="blue"][center]Meredith McIver approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]