topic Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies? in Off-Topic

Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 09:38:41 GMT

Rapid progress in genetics is making "designer babies" more likely and society needs to be prepared, leading scientists have told the BBC.

Dr Tony Perry, a pioneer in cloning, (University of Bath) has announced his research 'precise DNA editing at the moment of conception' The research has so far, been trialled on mice.....

He said huge advances in the past two years meant "designer babies" were no longer HG Wells territory.

Other leading scientists and bioethicists argue it is time for a serious public debate on the issue.

Although this topic makes dramatic headlines, it has to be remembered that genetic engineering can be used for medical reasons and not just making designer babies who are 'beautiful and intelligent'

It could help to produce babies who are free of the genes which increase the risk of cancer or cystic fibrosis to give a few examples

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30742774

Brilliant medical technology...without a doubt. Controversial?...of course it is...:smileywink:

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

MI5 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 09:45:44 GMT

Has anyone thought how the World would cope with all these "designer babies" who are free from any generic defects when they all reach 500 years old......?

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 09:50:33 GMT

I think this will be one of the major issues discussed by the Board of Ethics when they meet to discuss how far they are allowed to go with the genetic engineering.

Forget beautiful babies for one moment. If people had a choice of having a child who was gentically free of the cystic fibrosis genome....what do you think they would do?...

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

gemz4the1 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 09:58:53 GMT

Unfortunately even the most healthiest person could walk around the corner and be run over by a bus so there are no promises that they could even live past the average age nowadays.

It would be amazing to get rid of those horrible diseases that suck the life out of people, but it's a shame people of today won't be able to have that ability. 😞

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:56:31 GMT

Professor Lowell Badge of the Medical Research Council said

There needs to be a debate... and some rational thought rather than knee-jerk reactions that say, 'No you can't possibly do that'”

I think that's true. I remember the same sort of reaction when IVF was being pioneered in the 70's. In 1978 we saw the birth of the first baby born via this method.

Today IVF is a way of life for many infertile people. ..and most of us accept it was an innovation of excellence.

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

MI5 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:10:43 GMT

The real question is "when will (or when should) it end?"

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

viridis — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:47:53 GMT

In my opinion, the technology should only be used to eradicate the chance of the child carrying an illness that causes suffering and / or inhibits a "normal" healthy life.
Anything else is playing God.

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

gemz4the1 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:00:46 GMT

@viridis wrote:
In my opinion, the technology should only be used to eradicate the chance of the child carrying an illness that causes suffering and / or inhibits a "normal" healthy life.
Anything else is playing God.

I completely agree @viridis!!!

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Beenherebefore — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:10:05 GMT

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30742774

Unsurprisingly, I see no reference to "Nazi Ideology" or "Master Race" or "Mendelian genetics" although H G Wells does get a mention.

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:13:57 GMT

Although I understand where you are coming from with that comments @viridis what about this issue.??.

It has been said that testing embryos for disease during IVF would be the best way of preventing diseases being passed down through the generations.

However,some men are left infertile by damaging mutations of genes..so whilst they can still have children through IVF, any sons would still have the mutations and would in turn need IVF.

Genetic modification could fix that....??

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:19:12 GMT

@Beenherebefore wrote:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30742774

Unsurprisingly, I see no reference to "Nazi Ideology" or "Master Race" or "Mendelian genetics" although H G Wells does get a mention.

Well as that is the article in my opening post @Beenherebefore I must admit to thinking some people would feel the same..:smileywink:

I only raise the debate. I am not sure, until I know what would be acceptable to those who approve the concept, how far I would like it to go...

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Beenherebefore — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:23:34 GMT

No doubt we'll soon see one of the Kardashians with a handbag baby to accompany their handbag dog

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

viridis — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:30:11 GMT

"Although I understand where you are coming from with that comments @viridis what about this issue.??.

It has been said that testing embryos for disease during IVF would be the best way of preventing diseases being passed down through the generations.

However,some men are left infertile by damaging mutations of genes..so whilst they can still have children through IVF, any sons would still have the mutations and would in turn need IVF.

Genetic modification could fix that....??"

Yes, as it inhibits a "normal" life
If you can prevent a genetic anomaly being passed down to a new generation then you do it.
If you can change the hair colour, the hair growth pattern, eye colour, nose shape, skin tone....
You are doing the research for the wrong reasons.

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:32:28 GMT

@Beenherebefore wrote:
No doubt we'll soon see one of the Kardashians with a handbag baby to accompany their handbag dog

I can't think of anything worse......I just hope (naively I suspect) that this does not result in a type of treatment only for the rich....

The Board of Medical Ethics hopefully would soon step in if pioneering MEDICAL treatment was being withheld for those in most need. (And by that, I mean people have a genetic condition which would result in it being passed on to any children)

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:39:21 GMT

@viridis wrote:

You are doing the research for the wrong reasons.

Actually I am not doing the research at all...... I leave that to others ...:smileywink:

I am just throwing debatable issues out there........purely to raise awareness (and to get reactions)

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

viridis — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:46:06 GMT

I know that cleo lol

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Beenherebefore — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:46:09 GMT

I believe plastic surgery was developed for those who needed reconstructive surgery......until somebody recognised there were other uses which would be more lucrative.

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Beenherebefore — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:47:09 GMT

@Cleoriff ......and we're debating !!!

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

viridis — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:51:21 GMT

I love debating

Re: Advances in Genetics: Designer Babies?

Cleoriff — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:51:40 GMT

@Beenherebefore wrote:
@Cleoriff ......and we're debating !!!

I know...glorious debating ......I love it.....