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Editor's note
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A gene-editing tool called CRISPR has been widely hailed as a breakthrough technology for treating disease. It is hoped that in the not-too-distant future scientists will be able to cure diseases like sickle cell and muscular dystrophy using this technology. However, rogue scientists have other uses for this tool – they want to edit human embryos. Changes that won’t only affect the baby, but all of its descendants.
The first of such genetically modified babies were created last year by the Chinese scientist, He Jiankui. His experiment was met with international condemnation from the scientific community, including in his own country. Now, Russian scientist Denis Rebrikov has revealed his plans to create more GM babies, this time to edit out deafness. Cue more condemnation.
Aside from the immediate concerns about the safety of Rebrikov’s planned experiment, James Davies is worried that editing embryos for disease will soon switch to editing for augmentation – smarter, stronger, better-looking offspring. A Gattaca-like future awaits.
In a less controversial area of genomics, companies are selling personalised nutritional advice based on people’s genes. The evidence is still out on whether it has any impact on health, but Barbara Stewart-Knox argues that personalised nutrition could be an important part of preventative medicine.
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Clint Witchalls
Health + Medicine Editor
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Top stories
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Panuwach/Shutterstock
James Davies, University of Oxford
A Russian scientist is preparing to do germline gene editing. Here's why that's a problem.
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shutterstock
Barbara J Stewart-Knox, University of Bradford
Personalised nutrition has the power to save lives.
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An old male reindeer weathers a heavy snow storm.
Kerfu/Shutterstock
Ilona Kater, Durham University
The winter of 2018-19 claimed 200 reindeer in Svalbard, Norway, according to a recent census.
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Politics + Society
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Liam Kennedy, University College Dublin
Northern Ireland looms even larger an issue for Brexit as US Irish Americans wield influence.
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Arie Perliger, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Major changes in the language of white supremacists have happened in the last decade that provide a window into how the groups mobilize support, shape political perceptions and advance their cause.
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R. Blake Brown, Saint Mary’s University
The relationship between guns and masculinity was once sanctioned by governments and businesses, making it entrenched and difficult to challenge.
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Business + Economy
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Bill Maurer, University of California, Irvine; Daniel Tischer, University of Bristol
Alarm bells should ring over a global currency that is run by an exclusive club that serves its investor-owners, not the public good.
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Environment + Energy
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Maria Pregnolato, University of Bristol; Elizabeth Lewis, Newcastle University
Bridges were often built for pedestrians and small, old cars – not heavy modern traffic and climate-linked flooding.
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Health + Medicine
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Amy Brown, Swansea University
So many other countries see the value in breastfeeding support but the UK is lagging behind.
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