Flawless Super Humans - The First Human Embryo in the US has just been edited
Dear Steemit Friends,
Wouldn't it be great to be "perfect?" To not suffer from illnesses or have to worry about diseases. To be able to ensure that your children and your children's children will be free from any genetic defects or life threatening illnesses and diseases? This could be the case in the near future.
Scientisits in Portland, Oregon have for the first time, edited a human embryo altering it's DNA using the CRISPR technique. For those not familiar with this technology, it is "a revolutionary gene editing technique that can modify any region of the genome of any species with high precision and accuracy, and it does so without harming other genes." [Source]
Below is a video explaining what CRISPR is:
The goal behind the research is to be able to one day alter our DNA to delete or add genes in order to accomplish various changes such as eradicate genetic diseases, improve various biological functions, or potentially create genetically enhanced human beings with abilities that exceed our current capabilities.
It's not clear what changes or edits were made in the genes of the test embryo, however it is assumed that defects that can cause inherited diseases might possibly have been altered. In this case, the embryos that were experimented on were not allowed to develop for more than a few days and were destroyed soon after. Growing the embryo to full term and birthing an actual human from it is also prohibited and strictly controlled.
It's not known what affects would happen if embryos are altered, and there are arguments for and against side affects since the technology is somewhat new and something scientists are still trying to get a full understanding of.
Someday in the future we could possibly looking at a new species of human beings specialized and created to withstand new environments, live longer, and take human evolution to a whole new level.
What are your thoughts on this achievement? Are you for or against altering the natural makeup of who we are? Please let me know what you think. If you enjoyed this post, please Follow, Upvote, Resteem, and let me know what you think in the comments below
Image Sources: [1] [2] [3]
![[1]](http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/55439ea86bb3f7821501cedf/the-process-used-to-edit-the-genes-of-human-embryos-is-so-easy-you-could-do-it-in-a-community-bio-hacker-space.jpg){kind=link}
![[2]](http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5697cafce6183e8a0f8b9530-1190-625/scientists-in-the-uk-could-win-approval-to-genetically-modify-human-embryos.jpg){kind=link}
![[3]](http://www.anonews.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/GM-900x350.jpg){kind=link}
CRISPR is cool we should use it top print single cel bacteria that we can keep alive or in stasis which keps our steem or bitcoin private keys LOL
lol. real world meets virtual world
This is a very deep philosophical question that is not easily answered... As with all things in human existence there will be people who are for and against this. From a spiritual standpoint one could imagine some argument against things such as this but I believe there will a larger group of people who are more accepting of it.
I personally have mixed emotions about science such as this. I could benefit from gene therapy but when one can not be sure of the long term repercussions, they have to ask themselves if it is worth it.
Interesting post and topic.
Peace,
The Last Sage
I have mixed emotions as well and agree with your comments and concerns. I also find the post and topic very interesting
just remember that david wilcock showed evidence that eveb if u remove eyes in bats geneticaly, the 3rd generation will have the eyes come back, so GMO doesnts tay GNO, the original gnetics snaps back as if its stored on anotehr dimension, safe from 3d manipulation
yup. just like illnesses. Human science has probably led to the creation of new illnesses by combating old illnesses
It's a discussion that never get's old that is for sure and with continued research we are always pushing the limits
I feel the same way. I would love to use the technology to stay young and possibly live forever. My family has a history of high blood pressure and even cancer that I would love to make sure my children/future children are 100% free from, but not knowing what the long term side affects are makes this questionable. Mother nature always finds a way.
Philosophically pondering and questioning science and technology is responsible behavior. I won't trust blindly. The advancements in the hands of the elite are often used to keep and gain power and money while further exploiting the poor and the ignorant. Those in power seem insane so my imagination has been working overtime.
amazing video i am thinking to be in year 2050
with the speed of science and technology who knows. :)
I regard this technology as I regard GMOs.
Both technologies have the potential to be of great benefit to humanity.
Both technologies have much potential to be exploited for the benefit of the very few.
The possibility of taking an evolutionary short-cut to reduce susceptibility to this or that disease makwes for an interesting prospect. Others will choose to shift the stakes towards infants with a "natural" predisposition to excel in certain ways.
Of course, that is the bright side. Besides abominations, one could also find basis for a bio-weapon against humanity within the dark flipside of this same coin.
The question to ask ourselves is if we feel that we are ready as a species to wield this technology responsibly.
Hint: Are there other technologies that we abuse on a regular enough basis?
people will definitely abuse it, and im sure a black market will be created where shady individuals and organizations will use it to benefit themselves.
Didn't have time to check the video but thinking CRISPR more like creepier but then current is always a science fiction come true for the past. :-)
It's no longer science fiction :)
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