GMO People: Something We Can All Get Behind

What's First (in the U.S.) When We Get to Optional Mods?

Fast on the heels of the mapping of the human genome, a breakthrough technology called CRISPR/Cas9 was discovered by scientists recently.  It allows the DNA strands to be cut in exact spots and edited by patching in a more desirable sequence (more inquisitive readers can click here).  It's gonna be Yuge.

First we'll do it on animals, of course

Based on the more novel treatments developed in the past, the United States will likely use DNA modifications for humans with incurable diseases first.  After a period of Humanitarian and/or Investigational Device Exemption (HDE/IDE) and suitable testing, other medical applications will be approved.  About that time, China, Russia and the Koreas will have their next generation of Olympic athletes in utero, side effects not withstanding.  

A whole team of Yao Mings

Swimming anyone?

The rich will foster some niche unregulated markets around the world, but it will be an expensive procedure and probably not a particularly safe one in the beginning.

Eventually, however, the practice of genetically modifying humans will become more commonplace and there will be a hue and cry for optional or "elective" applications.  That's not to say it won't be a controversial idea - one could expect discussions on the order of the abortion debate - but once it works safely for, say, cancer and severed spinal cords, we'll already be accelerating down that slippery slope. 

So, here's what I'm thinking:  Given that it may take a lot of early public funds to kick off the work at the NIH, let's develop a cure first for something we can all benefit from - not just those who undergo the procedure, but those around them.  Let's get rid of body odor.