CRISPR used to genetically modify viable human embryos for the first time

Re:CRISPR used to genetically modify viable human embryos fo... by lordCarbonFiber on Friday March 10, 2017 @01:20PM (#13840730)

Gattaca is a movie filled with terrible science (there is no evidence of a simple gene change for intellectual ability, etc) and characters that are terrible people (NASA today doesn't allow people with heart conditions to go to space, no genetic dystopia required, because having astronauts die in transit is suboptimal to the mission).

I really wish that movie didn't get brought up every time gene therapy makes another advancement.

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Re:CRISPR used to genetically modify viable human embryos fo... by goatlover on Friday March 10, 2017 @02:03PM (#13841083)

I thought in Gattaca they manipulated multiple embryos and let the couple choose the one with the most desired characteristics? I don't recall any mention of single genes doing anything, just embryonic manipulation. The main character was a natural birth, so he didn't benefit from a selection/manipulation process, and thus was born with less optimal genes.

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Re:CRISPR used to genetically modify viable human embryos fo... by jszymborski on Friday March 10, 2017 @02:20PM (#13841231)

I mean, I don't think you can call it terrible science, it's the premise. I feel it's like saying Star Wars is filled with terrible science because there is no evidence of extra-terrestrial life.

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