https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/n...ted-babies

Quote:A Chinese scientist’s claim that he has created the world’s first genetically edited babies has prompted global outcry and an investigation by Chinese health authorities.

In a video posted on Sunday, university professor He Jiankui announced the birth of twin girls whose DNA had been edited to prevent HIV infection. He said the twins’ DNA was modified using CRISPR-Cas9, a technique that allows scientists to remove and replace a strand with pinpoint precision.

Editing the genes of embryos, which can alter other genes, is banned in many countries because DNA changes, which will be passed to future generations, could have unforeseen effects on the entire gene pool.

“The girls are safe and healthy as any other babies,” said He, who was educated at Stanford University and works from a lab in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. He did not offer evidence of his work, which has not been independently verified or published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Amid a barrage of criticism, China’s National Health Commission late on Monday ordered officials to “seriously investigate and verify” He’s claims. Shenzhen’s Health and Family Planning commission said it was investigating the ethics committee and review process of He’s work.

While other countries have been slow to conduct clinical trials on humans using CRISPR, China has pushed ahead with such research. In 2016, China was the first to use inject genetically modified cells into a patient with aggressive lung cancer. The country is also building the world’s largest DNA database.

Yet Chinese scientists were appalled by He’s work. A joint statement issued by more than 120 Chinese scientists condemned it as “madness” and called on authorities to enact laws on this kind of research.

I call bullschite

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Stink this is why you are a cut above the rest. The most important development in the story of the human race. More important than E=mc2. It’s going to be a molecular arms race and a definite fork in the road. If you think we have a separation of the classes today? I can’t imagine the world our kid’s grandchildren will live in. If the ultra rich are willing to spend 200,000 for an IVY league education people are going to spend 50,000 for an in vitro fertilization with designer genes. I had a professor who was on top of this back in the 90’s. 400 to 4000 genes separate us from chimps. 1.5%-5% of our DNA. Scientist debate it. The evolutionary equivalent gap of us from chimps will be the same between engineered humans and “faith” births. We will have racism down to a science. Genoism. Pandora’s box has been opened and you will not stop market forces.

Ohhh it’s real. CRISPR

Some one brought this up on the Rice board yesterday. The professor mentioned in the story also has a graduate degree from Rice and a current Rice professor advised him on the process, and Rice publicly reprimanded him yesterday and is 'investigating the incident'.

(11-27-2018 06:49 AM)Machiavelli Wrote:  Stink this is why you are a cut above the rest. The most important development in the story of the human race. More important than E=mc2. It’s going to be a molecular arms race and a definite fork in the road. If you think we have a separation of the classes today? I can’t imagine the world our kid’s grandchildren will live in. If the ultra rich are willing to spend 200,000 for an IVY league education people are going to spend 50,000 for an in vitro fertilization with designer genes. I had a professor who was on top of this back in the 90’s. 400 to 4000 genes separate us from chimps. 1.5%-5% of our DNA. Scientist debate it. The evolutionary equivalent gap of us from chimps will be the same between engineered humans and “faith” births. We will have racism down to a science. Genoism. Pandora’s box has been opened and you will not stop market forces.

How much are couples spending already for surrogacy? That's not really much different and it's existed for decades now. Just about every week you read of a Hollywood couple having a baby through a surrogate mother. I suspect not all of them are cases where they couldn't have a baby through natural methods.

I also maintain it's gone on in the case of couples having children specifically for the point of producing super athletes or super intelligent offspring for generations. In the simplest case, you might have a 6-3 male deciding to mate with a 6-0 woman not necessarily for compatibility but because they think they could produce some future NBA stars.

I knew this would eventually happen. Still disturbing to hear about it, and also that people with a Rice-background appear to be involved.

Guys, this is a PR game. You are duped.

Quote:He did not offer evidence of his work, which has not been independently verified or published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Quote:A hospital in Shenzhen where He said he received approval from an ethics board to conduct his work denied any link to He. The hospital, Shenzhen Harmonicare Women’s and Children’s Hospital, said it has lodged a report with the police.

Quote:Scientists outside of China were also critical, with some saying a YouTube video was an inadequate way of announcing scientific findings

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Prevent HIV infection today.....

Khan Noonien Singh tomorrow.....

Huxley's Brave New World or GATTACA

Wife and I had a long discussion about this last night. I don't think she fully understands the repercussions of this.

I'm highly skeptical. It's still going to take some time to be able to figure out all the interactions between the genes before you can make designer babies. I think some traits would be simple - like making all kids with blonde hair and blue eyes. However, designing a baby with intelligence would probably be HIGHLY complex. I think high intelligence in the majority of people today is more a product of environment than raw genetics. Those who do have that genius level intelligence have a very high probability (IMHO) of having Aspergers, Autism or some other mental defect.

Take your typical Asian kid going to college. People assume that they are naturally more intelligent. In reality, the Asian families who produce these "little Einsteins" do so predominantly thru environment. They are taught at a very young age to work hard for their grades and there are tangible repercussions for falling short - especially for those in their first or 2nd generation in the U.S.

(11-27-2018 06:49 AM)Machiavelli Wrote:  Stink this is why you are a cut above the rest. The most important development in the story of the human race. More important than E=mc2. It’s going to be a molecular arms race and a definite fork in the road. If you think we have a separation of the classes today? I can’t imagine the world our kid’s grandchildren will live in. If the ultra rich are willing to spend 200,000 for an IVY league education people are going to spend 50,000 for an in vitro fertilization with designer genes. I had a professor who was on top of this back in the 90’s. 400 to 4000 genes separate us from chimps. 1.5%-5% of our DNA. Scientist debate it. The evolutionary equivalent gap of us from chimps will be the same between engineered humans and “faith” births. We will have racism down to a science. Genoism. Pandora’s box has been opened and you will not stop market forces.

You can't stop the mass tort lawyers when there are unintended consequences.

(11-27-2018 07:01 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(11-27-2018 06:49 AM)Machiavelli Wrote:  Stink this is why you are a cut above the rest. The most important development in the story of the human race. More important than E=mc2. It’s going to be a molecular arms race and a definite fork in the road. If you think we have a separation of the classes today? I can’t imagine the world our kid’s grandchildren will live in. If the ultra rich are willing to spend 200,000 for an IVY league education people are going to spend 50,000 for an in vitro fertilization with designer genes. I had a professor who was on top of this back in the 90’s. 400 to 4000 genes separate us from chimps. 1.5%-5% of our DNA. Scientist debate it. The evolutionary equivalent gap of us from chimps will be the same between engineered humans and “faith” births. We will have racism down to a science. Genoism. Pandora’s box has been opened and you will not stop market forces.

How much are couples spending already for surrogacy? That's not really much different and it's existed for decades now. Just about every week you read of a Hollywood couple having a baby through a surrogate mother. I suspect not all of them are cases where they couldn't have a baby through natural methods.

I also maintain it's gone on in the case of couples having children specifically for the point of producing super athletes or super intelligent offspring for generations. In the simplest case, you might have a 6-3 male deciding to mate with a 6-0 woman not necessarily for compatibility but because they think they could produce some future NBA stars.

Surrogacy is totally different. There's no gene manipulation. Same with in vitro. Those are probably 30-40k.

I hope my grandchildren can be born with wings. Pretty, feathery wings... not devilish bat wings.

(11-27-2018 10:13 AM)Chappy Wrote:  I hope my grandchildren can be born with wings. Pretty, feathery wings... not devilish bat wings.

Just tell them not to fly around during duck & goose season.....

(11-27-2018 07:01 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(11-27-2018 06:49 AM)Machiavelli Wrote:  Stink this is why you are a cut above the rest. The most important development in the story of the human race. More important than E=mc2. It’s going to be a molecular arms race and a definite fork in the road. If you think we have a separation of the classes today? I can’t imagine the world our kid’s grandchildren will live in. If the ultra rich are willing to spend 200,000 for an IVY league education people are going to spend 50,000 for an in vitro fertilization with designer genes. I had a professor who was on top of this back in the 90’s. 400 to 4000 genes separate us from chimps. 1.5%-5% of our DNA. Scientist debate it. The evolutionary equivalent gap of us from chimps will be the same between engineered humans and “faith” births. We will have racism down to a science. Genoism. Pandora’s box has been opened and you will not stop market forces.

How much are couples spending already for surrogacy? That's not really much different and it's existed for decades now. Just about every week you read of a Hollywood couple having a baby through a surrogate mother. I suspect not all of them are cases where they couldn't have a baby through natural methods.

I also maintain it's gone on in the case of couples having children specifically for the point of producing super athletes or super intelligent offspring for generations. In the simplest case, you might have a 6-3 male deciding to mate with a 6-0 woman not necessarily for compatibility but because they think they could produce some future NBA stars.

In the Beginning it was not so...
Makes more sense every day.

Can it be done retroactively for intelligence? Just sayin

(11-27-2018 01:42 PM)shere khan Wrote:  Can it be done retroactively for intelligence? Just sayin

According to Bourne Legacy, it will be. Little blue pill. Or was it the green one?

(11-27-2018 01:42 PM)shere khan Wrote:  Can it be done retroactively for intelligence? Just sayin

Test Subject?



You'll be able to tell if it works, she'll become a Republican.....

(11-27-2018 08:40 AM)miko33 Wrote:  I'm highly skeptical. It's still going to take some time to be able to figure out all the interactions between the genes before you can make designer babies. I think some traits would be simple - like making all kids with blonde hair and blue eyes. However, designing a baby with intelligence would probably be HIGHLY complex. I think high intelligence in the majority of people today is more a product of environment than raw genetics. Those who do have that genius level intelligence have a very high probability (IMHO) of having Aspergers, Autism or some other mental defect.

Take your typical Asian kid going to college. People assume that they are naturally more intelligent. In reality, the Asian families who produce these "little Einsteins" do so predominantly thru environment. They are taught at a very young age to work hard for their grades and there are tangible repercussions for falling short - especially for those in their first or 2nd generation in the U.S.

Some things really can be fixed as changing a nucleotide pair in the DNA. A single letter difference can eff a lot of things up, that's why living cells have mechanisms to repair mistakes in the DNA.

Other things like smarts, looks, and athletic ability are polygenic traits on many different loci and I doubt we'll understand those any time soon.

If you could have genetic and phenotype data on every living person it might still be very difficult to understand how polygenic traits work together. Genome-wide association studies already have huge sample sizes just to try and find simple relationships between SNPs and certain health issues.