Speaking about evolution and medicine with a Professor of Genetics
Jan 10, 2024
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Professor Aoife Mclysaght, a geneticist, discusses genetics and evolution. Topics include DNA as the blueprint of the human body, the impact of climate change on evolution, genetic consequences of inbreeding, the misuse of genetics by racists, privacy concerns with DNA companies, the high cost of drugs, epigenetic trauma, a unique learning method, cloning humans, the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, and exploring meditation and nature.
Genetic testing companies selling data to pharmaceutical companies raises concerns about privacy and equitable access to healthcare.
Transparency and ethical considerations in university research are crucial to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure dissemination of unbiased knowledge.
Patenting of genes can limit access to healthcare based on financial means, raising debates about accessibility to diagnostics and treatments.
Balancing profit-making goals of pharmaceutical companies with public health needs is crucial to ensure affordability and availability of vital medications.
Deep dives
The implications of proprietary genetic data
Genetic testing companies like 23andMe sell genetic data to pharmaceutical companies for profit which raises concerns about privacy and equitable access to healthcare.
The importance of transparency and ethics in research
Transparency and ethical considerations are crucial in university research to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the dissemination of unbiased knowledge.
Challenges with patenting genes
The patenting of genes has raised debates regarding accessibility to healthcare as it can limit access to diagnostics and treatments depending on an individual's financial means.
The need for a balanced approach to pharmaceutical companies
While pharmaceutical companies are profit-oriented, it is important to balance their profit-making goals with public health needs and ensure affordability and availability of vital medications.
Gene editing and designer babies
Gene editing and designer babies are complex and still largely infeasible. While gene editing has the potential to treat hereditary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or genetic forms of blindness, the process is intricate and has limitations. Gene editing currently requires manipulating cells at a very early stage, like during IVF, and selecting embryos without specific genetic diseases. However, editing genes for complex traits like intelligence or personality traits is not currently feasible due to the complexity and lack of understanding in these areas. Additionally, the ethical implications of creating "designer babies" raise concerns about commodifying human life and the burden of immense expectations on individuals. Overall, the technology and knowledge required for gene editing and designer babies are still in their early stages, with significant ethical and practical considerations to navigate.
The Possibility of Cloning
Cloning is technically feasible, as seen with the cloning of animals like Dolly the sheep. However, there are significant ethical concerns surrounding human cloning. Creating a clone of a human raises questions around the treatment of human life as a commodity and the potential for abuse. Additionally, cloning humans involves complex genetic factors and the risk of unintended consequences due to gene integration. While there have been unverified claims of human cloning in the past, the current technology and ethical considerations make human cloning an unlikely and controversial practice.
The Ethics of Gene Therapy
Gene therapy, which aims to treat genetic diseases by introducing or manipulating genes, can be ethical in certain situations. For example, gene therapy can be used to treat hereditary diseases, preventing a child from inheriting a specific illness. This approach involves selecting embryos that do not carry specific genes for the disease, rather than editing existing genes. However, ethical considerations should be taken into account when implementing gene therapy, ensuring that choices are made to benefit the health and well-being of individuals rather than treating human life as a means to an end.
The Complexities of Genetics
Genetics is a complex field, and many traits, including intelligence and personality, are influenced by multiple genes and complex interplay with environmental factors. The idea of "designer babies" with pre-selected traits is currently not feasible due to our limited understanding of genetic contributions to these traits. Additionally, defining what constitutes a desirable trait and the potential risks of creating a homogenous population raise ethical concerns. Genetic research and discoveries in this field are ongoing, but caution and careful consideration of the ethical implications is crucial.
