Scientists In China Are Genetically Modifying Embryos Despite Huge Concerns

Chinese scientists from the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou have confirmed to the world that they are the first to genetically engineer human embryos. They say that they modified the responsible gene that leads to thalassemia, a fatal blood disorder.

Fears of designer babies

Knowing the medical community at large would raise alarms of eugenics, the research team leader Junjiu Huang assured that all the embryos used were “non-viable” and would never become living babies.

Critics are not reassured however, and have called for a worldwide ban on the practice of genetic engineering as they fear it is a first step towards designer children. Europe already has a ban in place on the practice of DNA editing in human embryos .... http://www.thealternativedaily.com