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from the crack-a-few-eggs-to-make-an-omelette dept.
Second Paper to Show Human Embryo Editing
Second Chinese team reports gene editing in human embryos
Researchers in China have reported editing the genes of human embryos to try to make them resistant to HIV infection. Their paper — which used CRISPR-editing tools in non-viable embryos that were destroyed after three days — is only the second published claim of gene editing in human embryos.
The mutation that was introduced is the naturally occurring variant in the CCR5 gene seen in some people resistant to AIDS progression.
Introducing precise genetic modifications into human 3PN embryos by CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing (DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0710-8)
Chinese Team Uses CRISPR to Genetically Modify Human Embryo
Chinese team uses CRISPR to genetically modify human embryo
In this latest effort, the Chinese team reports that they obtained 213 fertilized eggs from a fertility clinic, which had been deemed unsuitable for in vitro therapy. The women who had donated the eggs all gave permission for the embryos to be used for genetic research, on condition that the embryos would not be allowed to mature into a human being. The team used the CRISPR technique to edit genes, adding a mutation that causes damage to an immune cell gene called CCR5—such cells that are damaged naturally have been found to lead to HIV resistance. Thus the point of the research was to learn more about the possibility of producing human babies that would be immune to HIV. The team reports that just 4 out of 26 of the embryos that were edited were modified successfully—some still contained genes that had not been modified, and others had resulted in unexpected gene mutations. All of the embryos were destroyed after three days. Due to the results, it is not clear what has been learned from the experiments, except that some groups, particularly in China, are willing to conduct such research despite international condemnation.
(Score: 3, Informative) by SunTzuWarmaster on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:33PM
So... you know that Alpha Centauri was a game, and Chairman Sheng-ji Yang (of the Hive) is a fictional character, right?
He also has this quote, which keeps me up at night. It is said after developing an early-level technology of "Recycling Tanks".
"It is every citizen's final duty to go into the tanks and become one with all the people."
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Ethics for Tomorrow"
That said, the GP's point about Alpha Centauri being visionary is 100% correct.
Other great (and occasionally terribly dark) quotes include:
"Energy is the currency of the future."
CEO Nwabudike Morgan, "The Centauri Monopoly"
We are no longer particularly in the business of writing software to perform specific tasks. We now teach the software how to learn, and in the primary bonding process it molds itself around the task to be performed. The feedback loop never really ends, so a tenth year polysentience can be a priceless jewel or a psychotic wreck, but it is the primary bonding process--the childhood, if you will--that has the most far-reaching repercussions.
Bad'l Ron, Wakener, Morgan Polysoft
The popular stereotype of the researcher is that of a skeptic and a pessimist. Nothing could be further from the truth! Scientists must be optimists at heart, in order to block out the incessant chorus of those who say "It cannot be done."
Academician Prokhor Zakharov, University Commencement
Remember, genes are NOT blueprints. This means you can't, for example, insert "the genes for an elephant's trunk" into a giraffe and get a giraffe with a trunk. There are no genes for trunks. What you CAN do with genes is chemistry, since DNA codes for chemicals. For instance, we can in theory splice the native plants' talent for nitrogen fixation into a terran plant.
Academician Prokhor Zakharov, "Nonlinear Genetics"
My gift to industry is the genetically engineered worker, or Genejack. Specially designed for labor, the Genejack's muscles and nerves are ideal for his task, and the cerebral cortex has been atrophied so that he can desire nothing except to perform his duties. Tyranny, you say? How can you tyrannize someone who cannot feel pain?
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Essays on Mind and Matter"
(Score: 3, Funny) by CHK6 on Tuesday April 12 2016, @06:56PM
{Face palm to self}
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday April 13 2016, @02:10AM
This is the most enticing idea for me, I tend to see energy* as the most "natural currency":
To bad we haven't yet discovered the Shipstone [blogspot.com]
(apologies, the link is picked at almost random and provided for "just in case" - I saw someone not being familiar with the game, I cannot suppose there aren't others not familiar with Friday. If you know what's about, no need to visit the page) .
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* it is not the actual energy that needs to be stored, it is the "energy gradient" that needs to be maintained.
The second thing required by an energy currency: controllable transfer. I mean, a nuclear bomb doesn't see to have too much benefits in everyday life.
** with a low enough decay rate, one of the functions of money (saving for retirement or, lately, investing for retirement) would be solved. What you accumulated on years of activity should last enough for your last 20-30 years of "unproductive" life.
https://www.youtube.com/@ProfSteveKeen https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford