People today are working on determining which gene causes whichever trait, and seeing what happens when it’s turned on or off, but what sort of future goals have they in mind by learning more about the human genome? Eliminate birth defects? Choose traits for your child? What stage of developement would this need to be done in?
I’m more concerned with the long-term goals for Gene Shalit, but I’ll keep an eye out.
Well Mr.Man there are thousands of reasons why we are studying genes and the uses there of… One of the biggest is Gene Therapy. Basically, Gene therapy would be looking at the genes that say cause cervical cancer, and seeing exactly how they work, and why they tell the cells to mutate and cause cancer. When this is figured out they can insert new genes of the cervical sort that ‘reprogram’ the cells to reject the cancers.
Thats one aspect of the research. Others include, eliminating mental retardation in-utero, ‘engineering’ genes so you don’t ever get cancer, TB, the flu even. There are countless uses for gene therapy and gene research.
The sci-fi gene scientists who make super human armies or races will most likely remain in science fiction novels and not living next door.
Well, as a gene scientist, I can say that my long term goals include more education, buying a house, having a family…
My dad Eugene is a geologist. So I guess that qualifies him as a Gene Scientist. I’ll give him a call and see what his long-term goals are. :D:D