Scientists use artificial chromosomes to correct genetic defects

[groovychk]

Originally published at Twixel.net. You can comment here or there.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/science/article02

FOR years, molecular biologists and geneticists have trod gingerly around the most explosive topic of the new reproductive biology: purposely making genetic changes in people that would persist for generation after generation.

Indeed, there were so many technological roadblocks to the process, called “germ line” genetic engineering, that most scientists viewed it almost as science fiction.

But as researchers rush past these roadblocks, a group of eminent molecular biologists and molecular geneticists met recently on the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles to confront the issue. Their goal was to discuss how, why and when germ line engineering should proceed.

The scientists, leaders in the field, were meeting on their own, with no government or other mandate to issue guidelines or regulations and, in fact, no wish to restrict their work. But they said it was time for science to confront its growing powers to shape human biology.

The public and even many scientists are unaware of how close science is to making germ line engineering a reality, said Dr. Michael Rose, who studies the genetics of ageing at the University of California at Irvine and who was a speaker at the meeting. He said the meeting would bring public attention to “one of the most important questions for the human species: the extent to which it will direct its own evolution.”

It will, some day, be possible to give people genes to prevent them from developing certain diseases or to cure them of diseases that stubbornly resist treatment, like cancer or AIDS.

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Definitely interesting stuff.  The wave of the future to be sure.