Other scientists are concerned and ethical questions linger over where the research on brain genes may lead.
Sign UpScientists adding a human intelligence gene into monkeys — it’s the kind of thing you’d see in a movie like. But Chinese researchers have done just that, improving the short-term memories of the monkeys. While some experts downplayed the effects as minor, concerns linger over where the research may lead.
To justify the work, Su and his co-authors suggested that this type of brain gene research could provide insights into neurodegenerative and social disorders — but they don’t describe what those applications might be. “I don’t really see anything in the paper that would make me think that [the experiment] was necessarily a good idea,” says Walker., “Scientists agree that monkey models are at times irreplaceable for basic research, especially in studying human physiology, cognition and disease.
“There’s some risky elements to going down this road,” Sikela says. “One needs to think about the consequences of where this is leading and what’s the best way to study these kinds of questions.” Walker also worries about where this work leads. “Could we enhance human brains through these methods?” she asks. While she thinks we’re nowhere close to that yet, she notes that science can advance surprisingly quickly. For instance, CRISPR — the gene-editing technique that once seemed far removed from human research — was used in China to edit the genomes of twins in 2018.
“It does feel worrisome to be doing this research in primates,” Walker says. “And then potentially thinking about how that could be used in humans.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Essential trust: What trust is, why we need it and what happens when it's lostTrust is a bond. But are we living in a world where those bonds are breaking? OnPointRadio brings you 'Essential trust.' The series explores how trust is created, from the neural networks of the human brain, to institutions and societies at large.
Read more »
As LDS and other Christian congregations shrink, what happens to their empty buildings?The First Congregational Church of Salt Lake City, started in 1865, has been housed in three different buildings. At its height in the 1970s, it had between 350 and 450 members. Now it's fewer than 100, with average Sunday attendance between 25 and 30. So they sold their church home on Foothill Blvd to a developer, who plans to knock it down to build apartments, and moved in with All Saints Episcopal Church down the street. Now they are meeting in a gym and trying to turn it into a sanctuary.
Read more »
Who Is Hosting 'Saturday Night Live?' A Guide to Season 48Check out the full list of the hosts and musical guests who are set to take the 'SNL' stage in the weeks to come.
Read more »
Exercise After Eating: What Happens to Your BodyDiet and exercise go hand in hand, so experts share the full rundown on what happens to your body when you exercise after eating.
Read more »
Strange Activity Happens to Shiba Inu's BONE, Here's What It's AboutShiba Inu's $BONE is being used for strange large transactions with potential dump in play shibainu shib shibarmy shibarium shibaeternity shibadoge bone leash
Read more »
Scientists achieved nuclear fusion reaction. What happens now?Coming out on the plus side of the energy equation has been the long-elusive outcome for fusion energy researchers.
Read more »