Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

In a world first, UK scientists just got approval to edit human embryos
Vox ^ | 2-1-2016 | Julia Belluz

Posted on 02/01/2016 10:12:34 AM PST by Citizen Zed

Scientists in Britain just got approval to conduct research that involves editing the genetic material of healthy human embryos.

This is a big deal: The UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is the first government agency in the world to endorse research that involves altering the human genome for research -- a move that could signal broader acceptance for a promising (but controversial) new area of science.

The research team, led by Dr. Kathy Niakan at the UK's Francis Crick Institute, is trying to better understand which genes allow a healthy human embryo to develop. Niakan's team will use a promising new technique, known as CRISPR/Cas9, to edit genes that are active following conception. They'll then stop the experiments at day seven and destroy the embryos (so that they can't be used to start a pregnancy).

The hope is that this gene hacking could help researchers better understand what causes miscarriages and infertility -- and perhaps one day lead to better treatments for infertility.

If Niakan's application gets approval from an ethics board, the research could start within months. But editing the human genome using CRISPR has not been without its critics.

(Excerpt) Read more at vox.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; Society
KEYWORDS: crisprcas9; embryos; europeanunion; franciscrickinstitut; helixmakemineadouble; kathyniakan; nato; unitedkingdom
Does the edit machine have an undo?
1 posted on 02/01/2016 10:12:34 AM PST by Citizen Zed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed

I saw this movie. I think Rock Hudson played the scientist.

Very attractive monster.


2 posted on 02/01/2016 10:14:05 AM PST by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed

NO slippery slope here people...move along...


3 posted on 02/01/2016 10:14:12 AM PST by Blue Collar Christian (Ready for Teddy, Cruz that is.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed

God is not amused.


4 posted on 02/01/2016 10:14:20 AM PST by boomop1 (Term limits is the only way to change this failed government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed

What could possibly go wrong?


5 posted on 02/01/2016 10:14:58 AM PST by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed

Back in the days of Noah, the fallen angels were teaching mankind how to make all kinds of strange mixed creatures. This will be cleared up by fire, not flood, this time. Look up! Your redemption draws neigh!


6 posted on 02/01/2016 10:16:15 AM PST by SubMareener (Save us from Quarterly Freepathons! Become a MONTHLY DONOR!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: boomop1

Yes, but He said it would happen, and He said what He was going to do about it! Maranatha!


7 posted on 02/01/2016 10:17:06 AM PST by SubMareener (Save us from Quarterly Freepathons! Become a MONTHLY DONOR!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed; miss marmelstein; MeganC; beaversmom; GraceG
SCARY Stuff.

And Great Movie, a Warning:


8 posted on 02/01/2016 10:18:24 AM PST by KC_Lion (I think it is obvious, feminism stops where Islam begins.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed

>perhaps one day lead to better treatments for infertility

Yeah, just what an overcrowded planet needs right now. Maybe better to discover the thug gene and eliminate it.


9 posted on 02/01/2016 10:21:48 AM PST by soycd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed

They’ll then stop the experiments at day seven and destroy the embryos


:(


10 posted on 02/01/2016 10:23:33 AM PST by 20yearsofinternet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SubMareener

They still are teaching this to fallen mankind, even while bound in chains under darkness for a season.

(Is the collider still shooting particles in Swizzerland? Seems to have gone quiet.)


11 posted on 02/01/2016 10:32:32 AM PST by Resettozero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: KC_Lion

Haven’t seen Gattaca but will try to find it on disk since you recommend it.


12 posted on 02/01/2016 10:37:52 AM PST by Resettozero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ...
IOW, no GMO food, but GMO kids!

13 posted on 02/01/2016 10:45:21 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Here's to the day the forensics people scrape what's left of Putin off the ceiling of his limo.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Citizen Zed
Eugenics Wars in the near future...


14 posted on 02/01/2016 11:11:16 AM PST by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DannyTN

Darn it you beat me to it. Instead of what I inteded to post, I’ll say this: DAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY TN!!!!!!!!


15 posted on 02/01/2016 11:59:47 AM PST by Idaho_Cowboy (Ride for the Brand. Joshua 24:15)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson