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First Genetically Modified Human Embryo Under Review

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the gattaca-suing-for-patent-infringement dept.

Wired is reporting that Cornell University researchers genetically modified a human embryo in 2007, but have only recently been gaining publicity as their work is being reviewed. "The research raises a number of thorny ethical questions. Though adding a fluorescent protein was merely a proof-of-principle step, scientists say that modified embryos could be used to research human diseases. They say embryos wouldn't be allowed to develop for more than a few weeks, much less implanted in a woman and brought to term."

11 of 509 comments (clear)

  1. Re:WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE? by Teresita · · Score: 5, Funny

    A fluorescent protein? Did they want to make a baby that you can find under the black lights in a night club?

  2. fluorescent protein? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does that mean the kid would have an annoying hum if born?

    1. Re:fluorescent protein? by John3 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Only until he learns the words.

      --
      "We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers." Carl Sagan
  3. Re:WHAT HAS SCIENCE DONE? by Dallas+Caley · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd be a hit at the next rave i can tell you that for sure!

  4. Re:Why not allow them to be implanted? by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    We can't have glowing humans because they would piss everyone off at movie theatres.

  5. Re:wouldn't be allowed to develop? by vertinox · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wouldn't that mean they were murdered? That is if you accept the religious side of the house...

    As much as you murder millions of children every night with bottle of lotion and a box of kleenex...

    --
    "I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
    -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
  6. Cool! I have a list of human mods already! by farbles · · Score: 5, Funny

    Number 1: More intelligence. Hoo boy do we need this one implemented ASAP.

    Number 2: Respiratory bypass system. No more choking to death on pretzels.

    Number 3: Two hearts. Works for the Time Lords, howzabout it working for us?

    Number 4: Reinforced cerebral circulatory system. No more strokes.

    Number 5: Smarter immune system. Get rid of cancer and AIDS before they start, no more auto-immune diseases.

    Number 6: Smart metabolism. Good-bye unwanted pounds, save your ass if you crash in the Andes without making your co-survivors menu items.

    And so on. Look, we can stand some species improving. Save the default in the genes as a backup and let's get splicing here.

    1. Re:Cool! I have a list of human mods already! by TheNarrator · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why do "rogue nations" pursue boring 60 year old nuclear weapons technologies when they could instead have armies of super intelligent, pretzel proof, two-hearted, stroke proof, aids proof, super-metabolic super warriors?

  7. Re:Why not allow them to be implanted? by gdog05 · · Score: 5, Funny

    But at least you could easily corner them in a dark alley afterward.

  8. Re:Why not allow them to be implanted? by dustman · · Score: 5, Funny

    I know this is funny but the root problem here is how would YOU feel if you knew you were born out of a scientific experiment? awesome
  9. Re:Why not allow them to be implanted? by tsm_sf · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't know, I have the feeling that

    scientific experiment > mommy was drunk

    for a lot of people. YMMV.

    --
    Literalism isn't a form of humor, it's you being irritating.