Scientists have created the first genetically modified human embryo.
What does this mean to you?
Led by Nikica Zaninovic, researchers at Cornell University added a green fluorescent protein to an embryo left over from assisted reproduction. They destroyed the embryo five days later. It is believed to be the first documented genetic modification of a human embryo.
British newspaper The Times reports that Zaninovic’s feat was announced at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting in
2007, but was only publicized recently when the United Kingdom’s reproductive technology regulators reviewed the research. The House of Commons is about to consider legislation permitting this and other controversial reproductive technologies, such as the creation of chimeras — human-animal hybrid embryos.
2007, but was only publicized recently when the United Kingdom’s reproductive technology regulators reviewed the research. The House of Commons is about to consider legislation permitting this and other controversial reproductive technologies, such as the creation of chimeras — human-animal hybrid embryos.
The research raises a number of thorny ethical questions. Though adding a fluorescent protein was not aimed at enhancement, but rather to illuminate developing embryos, scientists say that modified embryos could be used to research human diseases.
They say embryos wouldn’t be allowed to develop for more than a few weeks, much less implanted in a woman and brought to term.
They say embryos wouldn’t be allowed to develop for more than a few weeks, much less implanted in a woman and brought to term.
If the embryos were allowed to develop, genetic modifications — which would be permanent and passed to future generations — might prevent disease. Modifications might also be used for other reasons — physical appearance, intellectual prowess, personality — though the necessary science remains hypothetical at this point. Developing such techniques would necessarily entail trial-and-error and risk-taking with human life.
David King, director of Human Genetics Alert, a bioethics watchdog group, told The Times that
Extracted from: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/the-first-genet/"This is the first step on the road that will lead to the nightmare of designer babies and a new eugenics. The HFEA is right to say that the creation and legalisation of GM embryos raises ‘large ethical and public interest issues’ but neglects to mention that these have not been debated at all."
After reading this article, I agree with the director of Human Genetics Alert, David King that this is an issue to be debated on whether this process should be allowed, least to say, implanted in humans. Even though this may be a technological and scientific advancement, it is now a matter to ethical and public interest as we are altering the natural course of how things should go. What do you think of this? If you were given a say, which stand would you take?
To answer your question,I personally feel that such process should be banned. Even through this process could prevent diseases,but I think people should not play god,instead they should just abide to the natural life cycle. If diseases could be prevented through genetic modification,the death rate would decline,which means the earth must provide more resources to support these people. It would be a burden and the resources might not be enough.Therefore, I do not think that such process should be allowed.-Zhi Yuan
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with your point but modifying a human genes can help to increase a person's lifespan and this will allow more people to live longer. The Earth may not have enough resources, true enough but there has been such a thing called genetically modified food which increases the production of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, Earth's lack of resources would not be such a big problem. Plus, this would fix many countries declining population such as in Singapore and Germany. Therefore, this shows that GM may have a good impact of mankind in the long run. Imagine a world with no sicknesses, wouldn't that be ideal?
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that genetically modified food is a unnatural product,what will happen to the people of they consume these food? It might have unknown side-effect despite the increase in the production. Furthermore,I feel that people should be born naturally despite the fact the some countries have low population growth rate. If there is increase in population in Singapore,the country might not be able to support the people with resources.Singapore is currently suffering from land constraint.It would be a bigger burden for the country if the population increase.- Zhi Yuan&Swedha
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