I thought there were already researchers who had combined this method with self assembling virus parts to create a complex which does all that is described here AND can be injected into an organism to change specific cells without removal, cloning and reinsertion. I recall them saying they had cured a specific genetically derived bleeding disorder in mice using that method. They effectively injected the fake viruses into the mouse, they went into the liver cells and replaced the damaged gene.
I'm glad that other people are working on this but this story seems a bit less impressive as there is the added steps of acquiring and returning the patient's cells.
What I have been wondering what would be the benefit of fixing the damaged C vitamin manufacturing pathway in humans. This tech should allow that mod also.
What I have been wondering what would be the benefit of fixing the damaged C vitamin manufacturing pathway in humans. This tech should allow that mod also.
It might be beneficial for people living in the high arctic, far from distribution centres. But then multivitamins might remain cheaper than gene swapping for a while. But that and other sites might make convenient locations for other genes like the kind that give crocodiles the brain protein which stores oxygen for long swims between breaths. Or we might just swap out our version of myoglobin for the one that whales have that lets them store huge amounts of oxygen in their muscles.
genetic modification is the first step in the extinction of humans as we know them. when we are no longer natural the way nature and evolution made us, then we are no longer ourselves. when a laboratory made part of you, you are their slave thereafter. when our genes are patented and owned by Monsanto or someone else for profit, that's the end. at current rates, I predict it will come within 2 or 3 centuries.
when a laboratory made part of you, you are their slave thereafter.
Not unless they program some sort of self destruct into your genes. With your logic you could argue that a significant portion of us are already slaves because we've taken life saving prescription medications that were made in a lab. At the very least you're saying test tube babies are slaves and as far as I know they have just as much free will as the rest of us.
I do agree with you that naturally occurring genes should not be patentable though, that's BS.
Sean_W
Jan 3, 2013I'm glad that other people are working on this but this story seems a bit less impressive as there is the added steps of acquiring and returning the patient's cells.