FIRST GENETICALLY Edited BABIES ARE BORN IN CHINA

You would like to change the genes of their future children to make them smarter, stronger or more beautiful? To the extent that science is closer to reality, inflame international disputes concerning ethics to improve human capabilities with the help of biotechnology: smart pills, brain implants and modify genes. Last year, the oil on the fire of this debate poured gene editing tool CRISPR / Cas9, which expanded the range of possibilities of games to DNA in order to improve intellectual, sports, and even moral qualities. Very soon we will be able to edit the DNA of people to treat, such as cancer. And there, and to the "edited" it comes children. Bioethics specialist George. Owen Schaefer believe that China will be headed this topic.

So we are on the brink of a wondrous new world of genetically modified human. Maybe. And on the face of the world there is an interesting wrinkle: the rush toward the development of genetic improvement will be concentrated not in Western countries like the US or the UK, where many modern technologies are born. No, genetic improvement is likely to start with China.

Numerous surveys among Western populations have revealed a significant rejection of the many forms of human improvement. Americans, for example, do not want to use the inclusion of chips in the brain to improve memory and most of these events is considered morally unacceptable. In Russia, according to our survey, it is not so radically that many of the.

Designer babies
The wide public opinion survey revealed considerable opposition in countries such as Germany, the US and the UK: in these countries, people object to select the best embryos for implantation based on non-medical traits such as appearance or intelligence. Even less support people have direct editing of genes for improving the qualities of the so-called "designer babies."

Rejection of such an improvement, especially genetic, is based on several pillars. First, a special concern is security - experts say that the editing of the human genome carries significant risks. These risks can be taken in the treatment of diseases, but the non-medical intervention in aspects such as intelligence and appearance - no. At the same time, and there are ethical objections. Scientists are beginning to be viewed as "playing God" and spoofs the nature. There are also concerns about the inequality, creating a new generation of improved people that will significantly dominate in relation to others. In the end, "Brave New World" was a dystopia.

Nevertheless, these studies affected in most of the Western attitude. In other countries these surveys have been considerably less. But there are hints that in Japan in the same opposite relate to human improvement, both in the West. But in India and China look at it positively, and even condescending. In China, it may be associated with a whole an approving attitude toward the old-fashioned sort of eugenics program of selective abortion of fetuses with severe genetic disorders. But to explain the attitude of the Chinese people to the subject more deeply, more research is needed. That is why Darryl Meyser of Eubios Ethics Institute believes that Asia is ahead of the rest of human improvement.

At the same time the biggest obstacle for genetic improvement will be recognized legislation prohibiting gene editing. A recent study has shown that bans on genetic modification for the fruit line - that is, which is transmitted to descendants - effective all over Europe, Canada and Australia. In China, India and other non-Western countries, however, the restrictive measures are weaker character - limits if they exist, are often in the form of guidelines, not laws.

The United States may be an exception to this trend. They are no legal restrictions on the editing of genes; Yet federal funding modify genes through the fruit is prohibited. Since the majority of geneticists rely on government grants for their research in this country, this approach can be called overwhelming.

On the contrary, it is the Chinese government funding has meant that the country was the first to edit the genes of human embryos using the CRISPR / Cas9 tool in 2015. China also has a leading role in the use of the same tools for genetic modification of human tissue cells in the treatment of cancer patients.

Thus, there are two main factors contributing to the emergence of technologies for genetic improvement: research and development of such technologies and support them in the community. Like it or not, in this regard, west far behind China.

Political factors may also play a role. Western democracies are structurally sensitive to public opinion. Elected politicians are less inclined to finance controversial projects, and most of their ban. But in Asian countries, and in general - in non-Western countries - there is no such: political systems are less sensitive to the people, and officials can coordinate their actions with the public and not public priorities. This may include support and human improvement. Yes, international standards may be opposed to genetic improvement, but in some areas of China has proved its willingness to abandon international rules to meet their own interests.

In the end, if we ignore the ethical objections aside, the genetic improvement has the potential to significantly increase national benefits. Even a slight increase in the level of intelligence with the help of gene editing can have a significant impact on the economic growth of the nation. Some genes can give athletes an advantage in the intense international competition. Other genes may influence the propensity for violence, gradually reducing the level of crime.

On many of the potential benefits of improvements can only speculate, but with the development of science and technology, all of these arguments will gradually shift to the real. If further studies confirm the reliability of gene editing tool to improve the human qualities, China may well become a leader in the field of improvement of people.

In addition to the fear of losing on all fronts, whether it is necessary to worry that genetic improvement in China goes wrong with the circuit?

If the critics are right, the improvement of people - unethical, dangerous, and so on, and then, yes, we need to worry about China. From this perspective, the Chinese people will be exposed to unethical and dangerous intervention - and this is cause for international concern. Taking into account the violation of human rights in China and other countries, it is unlikely that international pressure will have a big effect. In turn, the improvement of China's population will increase the country's competitiveness on the world stage. The rest will have to either play or join in the race.

Conversely, if you are right, those who believe that the improvement of human - and cool to this worthwhile endeavor, is no cause for concern. While other countries will crush and break, China will be in full swing to strive for excellence of its people. The competitiveness of the country will increase the pressure on the country and the world stage will reduce the restrictions that lead to overall progress for all humanity: we become healthier, more productive, and generally better.

Whatever it was, this trend will be transformative and inevitable. China now holds the beginning of the coil in the hands. Perhaps we should connect it to the unwinding?