BBC Focus Magazine

[ace_morgan]

Hello all,

This is my first post and thought it would be of some interest and a good starting post, so here goes...

Now I know genetics has come a very long way but one thing we haven't managed to do as yet is cure genetic conditions passed down from both parents. A prime example of such an incurable condition is Cystic Fibrosis, even after 10 years of research and development in the area. I know they have come close to what is not as such a cure but more of a pseudo cure, by which I mean if trials prove to work and derivatives can be concocted then the pseudo cure will hold the genetic condition from progressing any further for a given amount of time before the pseudo cure needs to be re-administered to once again hold the condition in place.

I am assuming most of you know what Cystic Fibrosis is and what is involves and does to sufferers of the condition.

Anyway onwards with this post, in Star Trek Voyager and many other such futuristic Sci-Fi's they seem to be able to cure all manner of things including it would seem genetic conditions.

I do have my reservations about genetic conditions being cured anytime soon due to the sheer complexity of genetics and unknowing of what will happen if you mess with one gene and how it will affect another gene for example. I do believe we have a very long way to go before we can even attempt to cure genetic conditions if we ever get to that point.
If we do like many things that may be created for the good, I reckon the knowledge of genetics will spark a new kind of weapon, just like viral and bacterial research has done.

Anyway, what is your reckoning on genetic research ever coming up with genetic cures as they seem to manage within Sci-Fi's and what these new found cures may spark off? (All morals garb aside)

[Shadowwolf]

In time yes I think we can start to get a handle on genetic conditions on a case by case basis rather than a panacea for all. However, it will likely be a long, long road and not the almost magic bullet in the next few years that the media may have suggested when we first decoded the human genome and such. Star Trek treats these as mostly trivial issues as a vehicle for showing just how far ahead this era is over our present, still took em a long time to get there though.

I reckon the knowledge of genetics will spark a new kind of weapon, just like viral and bacterial research has done.

It would be possible but I tend to doubt it meself, biological warfare is an especially taboo weapon these days, even scarier than nukes and no nation I am aware of operates a visible bio-weapons program for anything other than counter research.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Sadly I have to agree with Mr.S on this Ace Morgan, but a warm welcome to the forum from me too by the way, in that it is unlikely to be possible to cure inherent disorders by altering an individuals genetic code.

However it may eventually be the case that we will have to consider genetically engineering our own replacements to be free of genetic disorders from scratch, which may seem a tad grotesque to our way of thinking but we don't know what conditions and necessities the future might impose upon us.

[ace_morgan]

Oh I do agree that the bioweapon is mostly just a threat, but from bioweapons can come good, such as using such bioweapons and turning them into useful applications such as biofuels, bio/terra engineering, etc.

Though one thing I do think is a potential risk is genetic engineering of viruses and bacteria designed/engineered to perform certain tasks from helping humans in the fight against diseases, cancers, etc. to helping the environment and such forth actually turning on humans and the environment as happened in Resident Evil. Ok im not suggesting that will happen but the potential is there for a global epidemic of which mankind has never seen before.
I site the flu epidemic of 1919 (I believe that is the correct date) as an example of a virus that hit mankind badly. Ok this was not a genetically engineered virus but viruses like this are being genetically modified and researched into now, mostly as im sure to find vaccines but all it takes is for the virus to get out in to the world somehow for an epidemic to start. The flu virus for example H5N1 at present can not transmit very successfully to humans but if genetics gives it this advantage and it escapes, who knows how bad it could be, on the other hand it may not be able to survive long enough.

Just a thought

[KingPhillip]

I feel researchers are making progress in understanding the different pathologies affecting humanity. On the treatment side of it, stem-cell therapies show promise for specific disorders. What Stardate is the deadline?

[M Paul Lloyd]

Well as morally bankrupt as it might sound I think the long term future of genetic engineering will see the human race as we know it supplanted by a superior version of our kind, a 'sapiens superior' if you will, that will have the strength, longevity, disease resistance and patience to leave the Earth and explore our galaxy and what lies beyond.

By combining the DNA of humans with those of the likes of Sharks and Crocodilians we might be able to make disease, genetic or otherwise a thing of the past?

[Willxx]

Well as morally bankrupt as it might sound I think the long term future of genetic engineering will see the human race as we know it supplanted by a superior version of our kind, a 'sapiens superior' if you will, that will have the strength, longevity, disease resistance and patience to leave the Earth and explore our galaxy and what lies beyond.

By combining the DNA of humans with those of the likes of Sharks and Crocodilians we might be able to make disease, genetic or otherwise a thing of the past?

Morally bankrupt or not - it gets my vote!! The old Robert Heinlein quote "Earth is just too small and fragile a basket for mankind to keep all its eggs in." springs to mind! Reach for the Stars and take me with you!!

Personally I reckon if the development of computers continues to follow Moore's Law I reckon the computing power available within the next 10-20 years will mean that genetic sequencing will become something that is much more practical on a day to day basis, maybe even within GP clinics or local hospitals and will allow tailored drugs to be prescribed not only to cure existing ailments but also to offer preventitive treatments as well.

Of course this will only be available to the wealthy elite within wealthy countries so by that time that will probably mean only certain parts of China, India and Argentina/Brazil and Afghanistan?

[M Paul Lloyd]

Star Trek TOS episode 24 'Space Seed' comes to mind.

[Willxx]

Star Trek TOS episode 24 'Space Seed' comes to mind.

Too much Trek knowledge can never be a bad thing Not my area of expertise unfortunately, in fact nothing is!
I watched ST reasonably faithfully as a kid but never "knew" each episode - unlike a friend of mine who does the conventions etc

[M Paul Lloyd]

I may be a geek but, I was always more concerned about Uhura's hemline than which ear she put her 'bluetooth' in.

[Jamie]

I'm with Willxx on this one. Genetics is a code, and exponentially increased computer power is the key to unlocking it. Factor in quantum computing in the next 50-100 years or so and I reckon we might be on the road to genetically engineered super-humans. However, I don't doubt Mother Nature (for want of a better phrase) to throw in the proverbial spanner. However, by that point I'll be too old or dead to care!