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Archive for the ‘genetics’ category: Page 404

Nov 29, 2018

A second CRISPR pregnancy is already under way, claims Chinese scientist

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

A woman is already pregnant with the next CRISPR baby, according to He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who claims to have already created the world’s first genetically edited babies.

Bombshell: He made the claim about the early-stage pregnancy on the second day of an international gene-editing summit at the University of Hong Kong. “There is another one, another potential pregnancy,” he said on stage. He defended his work, saying he feels “proud” to have used gene-editing techniques to make the twin girls HIV resistant. “This is not just for this case, but for millions of children. They need this protection. [An] HIV vaccine is not available,” he said.

Irresponsible: After his presentation, He was quizzed by audience members about his work. Nobel laureate David Baltimore said that proceeding with germ-line editing in this way was “irresponsible” and criticized He for not being more open. “I think there has been a failure of self-regulation by the scientific community because of the lack of transparency,” he said. It also emerged that none of He’s presentation slides had contained information about the implanted embryos—or the babies—when they were submitted to the conference organizers.

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Nov 28, 2018

Antibiotics eliminate senescent cells associated with ageing

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics, life extension

Antibiotics have emerged as potentially lifespan-enhancing drugs, according to the results of new research carried out in the UK.

Genetic experiments that eliminate “senescent” cells – older cells, which lose the ability to divide – have already been proven to alleviate age-related dysfunction in model organisms.

Now, scientists have shown for the first time that an FDA-approved antibiotic – Azithromycin – can effectively target and eliminate senescent cells in culture.

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Nov 28, 2018

300 Million Letters of DNA Are Missing From the Human Genome

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

The world’s most famous genetic tool has a major diversity problem.

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Nov 28, 2018

A Scientist Explains Why The Alleged CRISPR Babies News Is More Shocking Than You Might Realise

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

It appears that researchers in China have facilitated the birth of the first “designer baby” – actually babies, twin girls who are supposedly genetically resistant to HIV.

The scientist who created the embryos, as well as some American scientists like Harvard’s George Church, have praised the beneficent intent to producing a child who is resistant to disease.

Who could argue with such good intentions?

Continue reading “A Scientist Explains Why The Alleged CRISPR Babies News Is More Shocking Than You Might Realise” »

Nov 28, 2018

Landmark discovery uncovers first common genetic risk factors for ADHD

Posted by in category: genetics

A landmark global study has, for the first time, homed in on 12 specific genomic regions associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The research reveals the genetic underpinnings of this highly heritable condition and suggests this discovery is only a small part of the wider genetic puzzle that makes up ADHD.

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Nov 28, 2018

‘I feel an obligation to be balanced.’ Noted biologist comes to defense of gene editing babies

Posted by in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, genetics

Harvard University geneticist George Church says reaction to experiments has been “extreme”.

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Nov 27, 2018

Chinese scientist angers just about everyone with gene-editing claims

Posted by in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, genetics

Some researchers say it’s time to allow gene editing, with careful regulation.

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Nov 26, 2018

RegenerAge — Bioquark — Excélsior TV

Posted by in categories: aging, bioengineering, biotech/medical, business, cryonics, DNA, futurism, genetics, health, transhumanism

Nov 26, 2018

Super-smart designer babies could be on offer soon. But is that ethical?

Posted by in category: genetics

Genetic selection for intelligence has hit the market – and regulation has a critical role, says science writer Philip Ball.

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Nov 26, 2018

Many scientists denounce researcher claiming 1st gene-edited babies born in China

Posted by in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, cyborgs, ethics, genetics, law

Not sure if this is real or still vaporware yet. But it IS inevitable. It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”. And we’re most likely not going to be able to regulate it much, either. If an embryo or fetus is not a human, then parents have the right to do anything they want to it. You might think that this is going to result in eugenics, like erasing melanin genes and starting a race against the fictitious “white genocide”. You’re right. But if you think that’s as bad as it’ll get, think more creatively. What happens when poor parents get paid to implant “willing servility” genes into their unborn children, in order to pay bills. The future is now. Cyborgs will not destroy humanity, but humanity itself might. What kinds of rights can be written into law to prevent this kind of extortion, that won’t also grant fetal personhood and end up derailing abortion rights? It’s going to be a bumpy ride, folks, buckle up!


A Chinese researcher claims he helped make the world’s first genetically edited babies — twin girls born this month, and with DNA he says he altered with a powerful new tool capable of rewriting the very blueprint of life.

If true, it would be a profound leap of science and ethics.

Continue reading “Many scientists denounce researcher claiming 1st gene-edited babies born in China” »