SHIT GETS DEEPER:
China shocks world by genetically engineering human embryos
China has been ordered to ‘rein in’ scientists who have edited the DNA of human
embryos for the first time, a practice banned in Europe.
In a world’s first, researchers at the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou confirmed
they had engineered embryos to modify the gene responsible for the fatal blood disorder thalassaemia.
The team, led by Junjiu Huang attempted to head off fears of eugenics by claiming
the embryos were ‘non-viable’ and could never had become babies.
But critics warned that China was becoming the ‘Wild West’ of genetic research
saying it was the first step towards designer children and called for a worldwide ban on the practice.
The work was reported in the journal Protein and Cell after the prestigious
science journals Nature and Science refused to publish the study on ethical grounds.
"This news emphasises the need for an immediate global ban on the creation of
GM designer babies,” said Human Genetics Alert Director, Dr David King.
Critics warned that China was becoming the ‘Wild West’ of genetic research
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Eggs fertilised without sperm
Theoretically, we can use somatic cells from a female to produce the same embryo
Scientists in Australia have found a way to fertilise eggs using genetic material from any cell in the body - and not just sperm.
The technique could potentially help infertile couples to have children.
Theoretically, it also could mean that lesbian couples could give birth to a baby girl
without the need for a father. Women do not carry the genetic information required to make a boy.
The technique has been developed by Dr Orly Lacham-Kaplan, from Monash University in Melbourne.
She told the BBC that her team had been able to successfully fertilise mice eggs in lab cultures using other cells in the body known as somatic cells.
Until now, this has not been possible because somatic cells contain two sets of chromosomes, while sperm cells only contain one set.
The Monash team used chemical techniques to get rid of the spare set of chromosomes
The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) was outraged by the technique.
A spokesman said: "The proliferation of novel ways to produce embryos is increasingly reducing the human being to a commodity in many people's eyes.
"We believe the interests of the child come before the wishes of anyone else, including the parents. We shall be calling for a moratorium on this kind of development."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1431489.stm