Science is an ever evolving source of discoveries that both delight and frighten humankind. We are able to edit the human genome and there have been valiant efforts to impose ethical standards on how and where this can be used.
Now news is percolating out of China that will sharply divide the scientific community. A researcher in the city of Shenzen claims to have altered the genes of twins so that they are resistant to AIDS. Few details have been released but it is known that he had been working in the field of IVF research and there is a claim that the father of these twins was suffering AIDS.
AIDS is no longer the terminal disease it was when it first appeared and new drugs allow sufferers to live a long life if they methodically take their treatment, but there are literally hundreds of diabolical diseases that are passed on to offspring because of a defect in their parents genes. If it is possible to eradicate that transfer by gene manipulation can we ban that field of work on ethical grounds ?
The world of science has recoiled at this announcement and the university where the researcher worked quickly distanced itself from his research. The media associates this subject with " designer babies " and the field of " cloning " and the scientific world warns us that if we make changes to the human genome the long term effects are impossible to predict. We are in danger of creating " hybrid humans " !
That is now probably past the point where it is in our hands to control. The subject of gene editing has been widely published in scientific papers and it seems that it is not unduly difficult. It is claimed that the facilities needed are readily available in most high school science laboratories and it is certain that much private research has been going on undercover since that initial announcement of a breakthrough.
Ethics only apply to those people who are ethical. With gene editing the reward that will drive research - is money ! The people with a defective gene that makes them hesitant to have children have a huge incentive to have that corrected and that old mantra of " supply and demand " comes into play. Where demand exists, supply will inevitably follow.
This announcement is a huge blow to the global reputation and development of Chinese science and the Communist party may move to discipline this researcher, but there are plenty of countries in the world which would welcome an industry that attracts tourists and turns a blind eye to medical practices that are a reason for their presence.
As we found with the development of nuclear weapons. It is impossible to " unlearn " what has been invented. Gene modification is now a reality and it is an unstoppable treatment on offer when money prevails over science.
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