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TexasTowelie

(112,226 posts) Fri Sep 23, 2016, 03:50 AM Sep 2016

Breaking Taboo, Swedish Scientist Seeks To Edit DNA Of Healthy Human Embryos

A scientist in Sweden has started trying to edit the DNA in healthy human embryos, NPR has learned.

The step by the developmental biologist Fredrik Lanner makes him the first researcher known to attempt to modify the genes of healthy human embryos. That has long been considered taboo because of safety and ethical concerns.

Lanner is attempting to edit genes in human embryos to learn more about how the genes regulate early embryonic development. He hopes the work could lead to new ways to treat infertility and prevent miscarriages. He also hopes to help scientists learn more about embryonic stem cells so they can someday use them to treat many diseases.

The fear is that Lanner's work could open the door to others attempting to use genetically modified embryos to make babies.

Read more: http://kut.org/post/breaking-taboo-swedish-scientist-seeks-edit-dna-healthy-human-embryos

8 replies

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Breaking Taboo, Swedish Scientist Seeks To Edit DNA Of Healthy Human Embryos (Original Post) TexasTowelie Sep 2016 OP

For example, there is a fungus with a skin-pigment that gives greater resistance to radioactivity. DetlefK Sep 2016 #1

I for one welcome our new post-human overlords Cicada Sep 2016 #2

I am very concerned about having a huge duck. TexasTowelie Sep 2016 #3

My huge duck loves big tilts. nt Codeine Sep 2016 #4

Now I understand why my texts autocorrect to "ducking." msanthrope Sep 2016 #7

Ducks I understand. But tilts? I don't get it. randome Sep 2016 #6

... milestogo Sep 2016 #5

I'll take the X-Ray vision & invisibility please! GOLGO 13 Sep 2016 #8

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

1. For example, there is a fungus with a skin-pigment that gives greater resistance to radioactivity.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Fri Sep 23, 2016, 04:21 AM

Sep 2016

Inside the ruins of the Chernobyl-reactor, there grows a mushroom which has developed a variety of the pigment Melanin. This version of Melanin serves as a protective layer against radioactive radiation and protects the organism to some degree.

Cicada

(4,533 posts)

2. I for one welcome our new post-human overlords

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Fri Sep 23, 2016, 08:22 AM

Sep 2016

Like it or not the days of homo sapiens are numbered. We will evolve into homo crisprcas9. Really. In a couple generations all men will have huge ducks and all women will have big tilts. And no one will suffer from Trump hair or Palin IQ. Really.