For help, advice and discussion about stuff not related to aviation. Play nice: no religion, no politics and no axe grinding please.
#1912722
Naive ? It seems to me that you are way too dismissive. Who can say what the future holds, you do not know and never will, any more than I do or, will. Based on current population growth and the demands attached to that, I read a piece two or three days ago which suggested that euthanasia could become some kind of State policy. It has become 'mainstream' to an extent that I and millions never thought possible.

On the back of my suggestion, you are asking me to provide answers to questions that you've assembled and to which, like you I have no solution. No one could possible draw up any kind of a blueprint. If, at some point in the future - Heaven knows when - this matter or some part of it comes to pass it will be the result of small incremental design contributions working towards a defined objective.

You might like to consider that for some time we have been listening to mutterings concerning the desirability of collecting and storing at birth DNA and establishing a national database of the entire nation - eventually. If we all recognised the certainty that we will be caught, it might lessen our desire to become a career criminal. My thoughts go a little further.
User avatar
By StratoTramp
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1912897
I think GM changes to humans beyond removing genetic diseases is too far. Although this is very hard to do (as far as I understand) as some genes have multiple impacts so tweak something and might have unintended consequences somewhere else. I think behaviours is another level of complexity with conscious thought and learning having a layer on top.

It's not GM but have a good Christian friend who thinks screening for downs during pregnancy is too far. It's a sliding scale for which we all have a different take. I respect his views even though mine differ.

I guess in summary for me. GM food acceptable, GM animals growing human organs for transplant fine. Deleting misquotes sort of fine. Despite reading horror stories like The Wind Up Girl and Pump Six And Other Short Stories. :lol:
Loco parentis liked this
#1912965
Can I recommend A Crack In Creation by Jennifer Doudna.
She is one of the pair that received the Nobel prize for developing the CRISPR Cas9 techniques for gene editing. The first part of the book describes the development but most of it is devoted to the implications and ethics arising from it's use.
Gene editing is very different to 'traditional' GM . An organism that has been edited is indistinguishable from one that has changed due to a natural mutation.
By TopCat
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1912971
Mz Hedy wrote:Thanks. I've ordered a copy.

NB. The 2017 edition is very expensive; I've ordered the 2018 edition

Likewise. I ordered mine from Blackwells. £8.99, free delivery.

I've listened to Jennifer Doudna on a couple of podcasts. Interesting character.
#1917288
RayP wrote:Can I recommend A Crack In Creation by Jennifer Doudna.
She is one of the pair that received the Nobel prize for developing the CRISPR Cas9 techniques for gene editing. ...

Finished it - a good and interesting read. I'd first heard of CRISPR through media reporting on the Covid innoculations and now I have an image in my head of how much more precise 'gene editing' is compared with old-school 'genetic modification'.

I also found the authors' soul-searching in the later chapters about the potential for modern day eugenics very enlightening.

I still find myself concerned about the potential for second order effects of the technology applied to mass-market food production; mostly with its potential for commercialisation and its adverse effect on biodiversity in the food chain* worldwide. If tabloid misinformation campaigns about 'Frankenfoods' is the way to apply a commercial counter-pressure to the Monsantos of this world, then so be it.

Thanks for the conversation and the book recommendation.
:thumleft:

*eg. Then potatoes and now bananas