FRIDAY FEBRUARY 09 2001

Destiny is in our grasp, say scientists

FROM MARK HENDERSON, SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT

MANKIND will have the ability to control and alter its evolutionary destiny within 30 years using secrets unlocked by the mapping of the human genetic code, one of the architects of the Human Genome Project said yesterday. Rapid advances in the understanding of human DNA will allow the development of drugs that use personal genetic “fingerprints” to target disease, therapies to repair defective genes and, ultimately, the manipulation of man’s genetic future, according to Francis Collins, director of the National Genome Research Institute in the United States.

By 2010, scientists will have developed accurate tests for a dozen common genetic illnesses, and preventive treatments to match, he predicted. By 2020, doctors will be able to alter the genes passed on to children, leading to the first genetically engineered human beings. By 2030, genetic medicine will mean most Britons will live to the age of 90.

However, Dr Collins cautioned against relying too much on genetic manipulation. “The human genome will not help us to undertand the spiritual side of humankind, or to know who God is or what love is,” he said at the Biovision world life sciences forum in Lyons. “The well-heeled couple who decide they want to use genetics to have a child that is a gifted musician may end up with a sullen adolescent who smokes marijuana and doesn’t talk to them.”

But he said that advances in screening technology, genetic engineering and new therapies to repair defective genes will allow medical researchers to eradicate DNA variations that cause fatal diseases such as Huntington’s chorea, a neurological condition, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a wasting disease.

It will be possible for mankind to set its own evolutionary path and build a “fitter” species, Dr Collins said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if in another 30 years . . . that some people will begin to argue, as Stephen Hawking already is, that we ought to take charge of our own evolution and should not be satisfied with our current biological status and should as a species try to improve ourselves,” Dr Collins said.

Copyright 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd.

-- Lynn Goltz (lynngoltz@aol.com), February 09, 2001

Answers

First you have to get it past the FDA. The paperwork alone will take 30 years to fill out!

There is great potential here for harm and for good. As my history prof used to say. "Make Haste, Slowly"

BTW - Did you know that Marilyn Monroe had six toes on one foot? I wonder what geenie-weenie controlled that tootsie-wootsie?

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (cmiller@ssd.com), February 09, 2001.

Seems like I read something very much like that in highschool. It has been a loooooooooong time since I was in highschool. The article was on cloning. They can SAY anything.......it is the DOing that is harder. I truly hope that they can help with some of the genetic defects that can cause so much hurt! Our life spans are longer now due to the increase in medical knowledge and scientific study! Now if they can find a gene for happiness, THAT would be success! You can make a person healthier, and you can make them live longer, but no way can you MAKE a person happy and content if they are otherwise. They have to do it themselves! I would think that having happy,loving, kind, content, offspring would be much better than genetically perfect offspring! and Brad......6 toes....maybe she needed them to keep her balance!!!!:~) snicker snicker!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 09, 2001.

Oops! Sorry Brad, that just sounded like somethin you'd say....I mean (:raig......!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 09, 2001.

Hi Lynn! Brave new world opening up! I love this stuff. Heres a great science web site.....http://www.sciencedaily.com/.....Anyone have any other good ones?...Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), February 09, 2001.

Kirk,

Here are a few science, technology, and current event sites I like to visit:

Slashdot.org

Extrodot.org

Geekpress

Techdirt

Geekboys

-- Jim Morris (prism@bevcomm.net), February 09, 2001.

Jackpot!!!! Thank you Jim!....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

You know Nan, I do believe we have that happiness gene you were thinking about. The trouble is most of us humans are so good at keeping it under wraps that most of us don't know it's there. A few centuries back this fella we ended up calling the buddha kind of gave a recipe for discovering that gene. To me the best way to sum it up is simply awareness of what is. We humans spend so much time worrying about what might or might not have happened in the past,worrying about what might or might not happen in this or some future life which may or may not happen, we're missing out on this gift we have of the wonderful life that is staring us in the face. Seems such a shame especially for us countrysiders who, I think , have so much to appreciate. As humans we get used to something and take it for granted so I make an effort to be aware of the inherent beauty in life and all it entails. Another thing I think the buddha was trying to tell us was to accept things as they are. Not to say we shouldn't try to change that which we can, just not get all upset because we dont like things the way they are. So I guess what i'm trying to say is happiness is within. We all are in charge of our reality, it's just a matter of which one we choose. What the future holds,well we just don't know if are to be honest so I say why worry about it.Watching the sun come up tomorrow,the birds at the feeder, those new sprouts coming up out in the garage,hey, what more could I want. Good ole Einstein once said "Reality is an illusion,albeit a very persistent one"

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), February 11, 2001.

i submit this joke as a reply. The scientists were speaking with G-d and told Him that they no longer needed Him because the could now clone everything from people to replacement parts. G-d challenged the scientists to a test to create a person from scratch. The scientists gbegan to gather dirt and G-d spoke up, "No, no. Get your own dirt." We can duplicate but we will never create.

-- norma russell (russells@basinonline.com), February 16, 2001.