GENETIC MODIFICATION
I was listening to another interesting podcast on Radiolab today about a recent discovery whereby targeted gene splicing has been significantly improve to not only effect the way we deal with genetic diseases but with this new form of gene 'stiching' called CRISPR, biologists could pave the way forward to us correcting our genetic defects from being passed on and engineering more genetically perfect designer babies. This is essentially the idea behind a great film with Ethan Hawke in, called Gattaca, which is not now just confined to the realms of science fiction.
This will mean science has potential for creating a future generation of humans with an enhanced gene structure, effectively manufacturing super-humans. And by removing any defective genes that cause illnesses, the superior 2.0 humans will be equipped to live longer within the next few years.
A rule against genetic engineering on ethical grounds was passed in the 70's, but there's a strong possibility that out there right now, a maverick doctor is experimenting with this gene splicing technique, either on themselves or unethically spawning a human super-being from an unsuspecting (or even will) doner.
Whether the benefits of this science are seen in our lifetime, is not really the question - as this is already here - but what the implications will be ethically and morally. The real question though is: where do I sign up for it?!
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