[DIYbio] Privately funded designer babies

I don't have a fundamental objection to germ line modification. But I think these guys are either incredibly naive or delusional. If they wanted to try to correct monogenic conditions like hemophilia or muscular distrophy, that would be one thing. But we don't have nearly enough understanding to justify trying to introduce traits like "growing muscles without exercising," or extending lifespan. Keep in mind any problems that might arise wouldn't impact the consenting parents. They would affect the offspring.

Proposing to test in dogs first is at least something. The problem is that dogs and humans aren't identical. Genes that have one effect in a dog (or mouse or rat) won't necessarily have a similar effect in humans.

Sorry, but I see no indication that these guys have an adequate understanding of what is and isn't possible and safe.

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