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Human Nature We can now edit the human genome with a tool called CRISPR. But how far should we go?
nova ^ | 9/9/2020 | nova

Posted on 09/13/2020 9:31:04 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19

With an extraordinary new technology called CRISPR, we can now edit DNA—including human DNA. But how far should we go? Gene editing promises to eliminate certain genetic disorders like sickle cell disease. But the applications quickly raise ethical questions.

Is it wrong to engineer soldiers to feel no pain, or to resurrect an extinct species?

And is there harm in allowing parents to choose their child’s features, like eye color or height? The scientists who pioneered human genome studies and CRISPR grapple with these questions. (Premiered September 9, 2020)

(Excerpt) Read more at pbs.org ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: chatforum; crispr; cult; death; frankenstein; geneediting
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“During the night I was often wakening with thoughts, or rather images, of visions of ones and zeros running through my mind, my mind’s eye…”

1 posted on 09/13/2020 9:31:04 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19
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To: RomanSoldier19

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should ...


2 posted on 09/13/2020 9:35:50 PM PDT by Lmo56 (If ya wanna run with the big dawgs - ya gotta learn to piss in the tall grass ...)
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To: RomanSoldier19

To the extent genetic science can bring about restorative health into a person it is fine. It is ok to code out a defective code that brings scoliosis. However, there must be sure ways to research such individual treatments without recourse to the destruction of human life or treating human beings with indignities and abuses.

If you can find a healthy person willing to try gene therapy, I’m ok with that if we’re in the relm of restoring health from a state of obvious defect.


3 posted on 09/13/2020 9:38:06 PM PDT by Bayard
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To: RomanSoldier19

Can we edit out commies?


4 posted on 09/13/2020 9:40:27 PM PDT by Paladin2 (need)
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To: Paladin2

I applaud the effort and endorse that line of thinking.


5 posted on 09/13/2020 9:41:25 PM PDT by Bayard
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To: Lmo56

6 posted on 09/13/2020 9:41:37 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19 (Game over, man! Game over! ; : rem ad triarios redisse is)
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To: RomanSoldier19

That was a really good ep of Nova. Showed the positives and dangers really well of the technology.


7 posted on 09/13/2020 9:42:24 PM PDT by Monty22002
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To: RomanSoldier19

There are ethical benefits derived from defining and studying the human genome. For instance it is quite evident that some people even when exposed to Covid-19 simply do not get infected. The reason they don’t has to do with their genes. They have a gene or genes that allows them to resist this virus. Theoretically if you study the genetics of those people, you could identify that gene and develop a test to determine who is susceptible and who is not.


8 posted on 09/13/2020 9:43:35 PM PDT by allendale
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To: RomanSoldier19
We're at the horizon now.


9 posted on 09/13/2020 9:45:02 PM PDT by \/\/ayne (I regret that I have but one subscription cancellation notice to give to my local newspaper)
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To: Bayard

10 posted on 09/13/2020 9:45:29 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19 (Game over, man! Game over! ; : rem ad triarios redisse is)
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To: RomanSoldier19

Humans have been doing this for a long time. It’s called marriage. So what? See what happens and then the crap will hit the fan.........


11 posted on 09/13/2020 9:53:59 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: Fungi


12 posted on 09/13/2020 10:01:04 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19 (Game over, man! Game over! ; : rem ad triarios redisse is)
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To: Paladin2
"Can we edit out commies?"

We could simply require a voter to solve a quadratic for two values to unlock the machine. We would never see another Democrat vote.

“Anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best, he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to wear his shoes, bathe, and not make messes in the house.”

13 posted on 09/13/2020 10:09:01 PM PDT by jonascord (First rule of the Dunning-Kruger Club is that you do not know you are in the Dunning-Kruger club.)
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To: Bayard

Genetic diseases vary in their severity and also vary in terms of how complete a gene fix is likely needed to correct them. Some diseases only a small fraction of cells need to be fixed. For example several genetic causes of blindness would likely only need to fix the genes in retinal cells. And if the fix were botched there, well they already were blind so little additional damage. Some cells may be much harder to get the fix into. As there are LOTS of genetic typos to be fixed, and as we’re likely to stumble over surprises along the way, we should prioritize human experiments on the more serious conditions we think are easier fixes. Thus maximizing our potential gains and minimizing bad surprises until we’ve learned more.


14 posted on 09/13/2020 10:23:25 PM PDT by JohnBovenmyer (waiting for the tweets to hatch)
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To: RomanSoldier19

15 posted on 09/13/2020 10:23:46 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: RomanSoldier19

Scientists might try to create the perfect female like Leeloo in the Fifth Element. Unfortunately the result will be more like Nancy Pelosi with Biden’s dementia.


16 posted on 09/13/2020 10:24:21 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: Bayard

All gifts from God should be used with respect for life. Unfortunately, access to anything good can be a weapon of evil in the wrong hands.

Understanding this existence and it’s blessings rarely comes without the contrast of it’s curses.

Gynocology and Obstetrics have improved the survival rate and health of both mother and child. Yet it has provided abortionists the tools to ensure death before birth.

This world remains a place where good and evil are permitted to both exist.

:(


17 posted on 09/13/2020 10:24:39 PM PDT by jmclemore (Go Trump)
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To: jonascord

I’m totally down with that.


18 posted on 09/13/2020 10:28:43 PM PDT by Paladin2 (need)
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To: RomanSoldier19
I'm sure we'll take it much, much too far!


19 posted on 09/13/2020 10:29:34 PM PDT by CtBigPat (2020 is becoming everything 2012 aspired to be.)
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To: roadcat

I’m gonna have nightmares from that meme.


20 posted on 09/13/2020 10:30:17 PM PDT by Paladin2 (need)
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