Chinese scientists genetically modify human embryos

nature.com ^ | April 22, 2015 | David Cyranoski & Sara Reardon

[John W]

In a world first, Chinese scientists have reported editing the genomes of human embryos. The results are published in the online journal Protein & Cell and confirm widespread rumors that such experiments had been conducted—rumors that sparked a high-profile debate last month about the ethical implications of such work.

In the paper, researchers led by Junjiu Huang, a gene-function researcher at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, tried to head off such concerns by using 'non-viable' embryos, which cannot result in a live birth, that were obtained from local fertility clinics. The team attempted to modify the gene responsible for β-thalassaemia, a potentially fatal blood disorder, using a gene-editing technique known as CRISPR/Cas9. The researchers say that their results reveal serious obstacles to using the method in medical applications.

[Hot Tabasco]

A few years ago I read an interview of a current college basketball coach who had traveled to China to host a number of basketball camps. He said that what stood out most from his trip was the number of 7 foot plus basketball players he encountered throughout the country........

There is no doubt in my mind that China has been screwing around with genetic engineering in an attempt to produce superior athletes much the same way German and Russia used to do before being busted.

Only China is using genetic engineering rather than blatant growth hormones.........

[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

Genetically-modified people eating genetically-modified foods. What could possibly go wrong?

[The Unknown Republican]

Communists dabbling in human genetic modification can only lead to trouble.

[Frank Sheed]

Well you can get a virus like SARS that now infects humans. Other than the possible end of all human life due to a pandemic from some off the wall infection, no...

[dp0622]

well, as long as it's not dangerous lol

[Jolla]

Only in China

Unfortunately - I bet not

[ilovesarah2012]

Maybe they can eliminate liberals.

[sten]

all according to plan....

[ilovesarah2012]

I think Kenya has been doing it with runners.

[MarchonDC09122009]

This breakthrough correlates to Blade Runner’s prescient vision that genetic engineering would be dominated by the chinese.
China’s genetic research success is likely a result of not only innovative brilliant scientists, but also a society that isn’t hampered by pesky bio-ethic debate, regulation, or concern with liability.

[faithhopecharity]

Kenya’s doing it right. ........you don’t have to look any further than (what used to be) our American White House

[Organic Panic]

Now everyone can look like Chairman Mao.

[9thLife]

Surely it will be of the same high quality as that drywall they engineered a few years ago.

[9thLife]

where communist materialism still rules

It rules the world. You'll see.

[MichaelCorleone]

—rumors that sparked a high-profile debate last month about the ethical implications of such work.—

I thought ethics was old school; passé - only for the uneducated and the unlearned.

Morals come from Christian mythology and have no place in this brave new world.

[Disambiguator]

I recently watched the movie “Gattaca” which deals with this very issue. Interesting film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

[MeshugeMikey]

the drywall...the steel bolts...for the San Francisco Bay Bridge

Dog Food..cat food

toys..

yep gimme that Chinese stuff please!!

[reasonisfaith]

They’re “editing” the code God wrote.

[jmcenanly]

The new face of the PLA.

[Kickass Conservative]

China and Ethics in the same sentence. LOL