Can human genome editing be regulated? | Inside Story

Our genetic makeup has fascinated scientists and medical researchers for decades.
There have been significant advances in the field of rewriting the blueprint of life or our DNA.
It's been used to treat and prevent a number of disorders and diseases.
But it could also be used to create what some have called 'designer babies'.
The medical world is divided over the approach.
Last year, a scientist in China said he created the world's first genetically edited twins -- leading to global condemnation.
Scientists have gathered in Geneva this week to try come up with some regulations.
But how would officials enforce rules around our DNA?
And what are the risks of advanced research into human genetics?

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests:

Owen Schaefer - Biomedical Ethicist.

Sharon Begley - Senior Science Writer at STAT, a health-focused news website owned by the Boston Globe.

Helen O'Neil, Lecturer in Reproductive and Molecular Genetics at University College London.

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[skyallothercontents]

Well said Helen specially when she said We already design our babies when we choose our partners but using machines to change dna and other stuff is horrible

[rajeeshjohn]

The twin 'girls' weren't given a choice? If this were a discussion about abortion both Lulu and Nana would be irrelevant, just a fetus, a matter of women's rights issue and no personal associations would be made. But, the specimens still in a petri dish has got names, social security number and the right to vote? All the scientist did was work on protecting the future babies from HIV...

[teddyraffudeen]

I’m very skeptical about this. There’s little doubt in my mind that this technology would be exploited in the most negative sense, human beings what we are, as it pertains to our ego and vulnerability.

[urbanphilic]

Whoa
I was thinking abt that the other day🗨

[apuntes]

You dont seem to remember how people everywhere were just a couple decades ago. Smaller in size, more grease and atonic complexionn, women had shorter legs and the skin above their knees used to fold downwards as aging etc. Human population have been experiening severe and ever increasing genetic modifications, they started by giving women a protein which was used in cattle to increase the amount of meet so that women would develope more firm legs. AFter that they developed rules for mixing, for bringing in more European characteristics, taller and more defined population started to show specially noticed in countries like China, south america middle east etc. Later on eye color could be chosen as well as gender. Artificial or external wombs, etc. Gene manipulation to choose which characteristics to be predominant are also common etc.

[nithinkumar]

Heard the quote - “Curiosity kills the crow”! .Not far in the future it will be replaced by “Curiosity kills the human”

[stanleysko]

Please, stop these insane practises, enough.

[drgaboseahmed]

hi everyone...in one way am happy to see such a wonderfull development in human science n in the other way am condemning this unethical act.

[rajarameez]

May b future generation r beast or monster who r resistance to every disease but have no emotions

[Mantim]

Already around 5000human genes have been patented.. I don't know what is way forward..

[ericvulgate]

get used to the idea- this is coming. now. it's not going away.
we better embrace this as a society quick or the rich will keep it for themselves.