Category Archives: Transhuman News

By Brandon Diep, Apr. 12, 2022

What would you change about yourself? Would you change your eye color, hair type, height or the sound of your voice? Maybe you want to become smarter? Funnier? Imagine you could. With human genetic engineering, all the physical and mental traits you desire could become a reality. The only question is: is it morally right?

I believe gene editing or engineering should only be used to cure illnesses and diseases. Designer babies, the ability to change the superficial features of a child, are unethical and should not be conducted. Humans should not change the physical and mental characteristics of their children, but love them as they are.

Human genetic engineering is already possible, and it will soon change the way we think of childbirth and human health. Using a technology called CRISPR, also known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindrome Repeats, which is defined by Live Science as, a powerful tool for editing genomes, meaning it allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function, humans will then have the ability to aesthetically edit the genetic characteristics of an unborn child.

This technology holds unimaginable possibilities. As reported by Tides, a social charity foundation, a person can give a fertility clinic a checklist of characteristics and features they want for their child, scientists then use CRISPR to edit the genes of an embryo accordingly, implant the embryo into the mother for pregnancyand finally, the designer baby is born.

Gene editing was developed for the eradication of diseases and curing of cancer, but it can also be used for creating the child of your dreams. The science is unbelievable and is already being used in controversial ways.

On Nov. 25, 2018, the impossible became possible. A biophysics researcher from China, He Jiankui, shocked the world with the first gene-edited humans. He revealed that he had altered embryos for seven couples during fertility treatmentswith one resulting pregnancy. He was trying to bestow a trait that few people naturally have an ability to resist future infection of HIV, the AIDS virus, according to Associated Press.

Babies Lulu and Nana were the results of Hes gene-editing experiment. Born from an HIV-positive father and HIV-negative mother, the twins are now resistant from contracting the illness their father has. Controversy soon followed the researcher. He is scrutinized by the public for conducting the experiment in secret. Some praised him and called He, the rogue scientist, Chinas Dr. Frankenstein, and a mad genius, as written in the South China Morning Post. The Peoples Court of Shenzhen disagreed with his work, they sentenced him to three years of imprisonment and held him financially responsible for any future genetic complications that might occur in the babies lives. He may have had the best intentions, but he crossed the line of regulated science.

Although Lulu and Nana are the first of many genetically engineered human experiments, gene editing has shown its benefits. The tool has unveiled great opportunities in correcting the course of unfair diseases placed in humans. However, the regulation of gene editing should be a high priority.

The ethics of designer babies needs to be debated. I believe gene editing could negatively affect our future if it is used to aesthetically change children. U.S. News found in 2021 that there are companies offering parents the means of selecting better embryos, although in the form of superficial features has yet to be done. There are some who may use genetic engineering virtuously to prevent hereditary diseases while there are others who may abuse gene editing to design their child with the best attributes. I think it is likely that people will create humans with perfect symmetrical faces and ideal physiques for sports. A child will unfortunately grow up to think that their physical features are what creates their success. These exploitative fantasies could be manipulated into actuality.

Gene editing might also cause major repercussions for religion. There may be some who will find gene editing of a persons exterior to be a defiance against Gods creation. A few branches of Judaism prohibits members from trimming their hair because their body belongs to God and therefore they cannot alter it. I do believe there is a higher being and even though I dont practice this rule, I understand the sentiment. Like many religions, I hold the strong belief that one should not change themselves outwardly but inwardly. Changing the body of a healthy child before they are born is disrespectful toward their creator and their lineage.

Parents considering changing their children to look different from them is also flawed. The traits inherited from previous generations should not be seen as ugly or a mistake. This mindset will only further indoctrinate artificiality and self-hatred into future generations. We all hold a part of our parents within ourselves, we cannot let that go. If we change these genetics, then we are changing something special that connects us with our family. Your genetic material is inherited from hundreds to thousands of previous generations. Genetically modifying it for a superficial reason would counter all of the meaning and history behind that from your ancestors. The gifts of our familys pasts remind us of who were from.

The future reaps the consequences of today. Gene editing is still in its infancy. Going forth with designer babies may give birth to abominable effects on our descendants. One enhancement to the length of our arms could inadvertently mutate the body in a harmful way unknowingly passed down the generations. The harm would only be discovered after it is too late. It is too risky to change the genetic makeup of the most precious thing in life: ourselves.

What needs to be changed is our mentality. Our different eye colors, curly or straight hair, tall or short limbs arent what make us. The power to change these superficial features will not help. As humans, we should not change our children to conform to body standards, but instead, change body standards to conform to us. When you can stop caring about vain appearances, it is only then that we can start caring about what matters. Whats important are the things youve done and the things you are going to do. You arent your body, a shell your soul was born in. You are only who you think you are.

The rest is here:
Designer future: Human intervention is crossing the line of creation - The Poly Post

New Zealands genetic engineering laws face a tough challenge from new technology, Justin Giovannetti writes in The Bulletin.

Theres a hole in the wall keeping genetically modified organisms out of New Zealand and its shaped like an impossible burger.As Chris Schulz wrote for The Spinoff, the lab-designed meat is the biggest name in the plant-based craze.However, the impossible burger would be impossible without genetic engineering. The core of the burger is a heme molecule that gives the meat its taste and bleeding character.The Listener (paywalled) also looked at the growth of consumer interest in plant-based alternatives.Aotearoas food safety regulator had to approve the impossible burgers sale here, giving it an exemption to the countrys ban on GMOs. While its not the first genetically engineered technology allowed into the country, its a sign of the growing pressure on Aotearoas laws.

There hasnt been a review of New Zealands laws covering GMOs in over two decades.RNZ reports that the Productivity Commission now warns that current regulations dont reflect 20 years of breakneck technological advances.The commission has recommended that regulations should accomodate new technology and not stifle innovation. The government responded that Aotearoas brand is GMO-free and it wants to maintain a proceed with caution approach to genetic engineering. Theres also little public interest in changing regulations. However, the Productivity Commission is not alone. The Climate Change Commission also recommended last year that the government consider allowing genetic engineering that could cut emissions from agriculture.

GMOs can be a passionate topic and theres no easy way to define the arguments on both sides.Prem Maan, the executive chairman of Lewis Road Creamery and Southern Pastures, wrote a defence of current laws last year.He warned of possible massive damage to the environment from uncontrolled spread of GMOs and said the current ban keeps New Zealands food exports premium, wholesome products. Similar arguments are made every few years, when a new report comes out.Mia Sutherland, a former school strike forclimate organiser, wrote for Stuff that GMOs are the climate option.With the country facing a serious challenge to rapidly slash climate emissions this decade, some genetically engineered grasses could help cut agricultural emissions by nearly half.Newsroom also looks at the advances in science and argues this goes far beyond GMOs, with New Zealand also strictly limiting gene editing.

Its possible that youll be reading a newsletter in another 20 years that also covers the countrys largely GMO-free status. But its unlikely. While theres been tremendous technological change in the 20 years since the countrys last GMO review, the next two decades promise to be even more transformative.Biology is the most important technology of this century, Wired argues in a recent review of whats to come.In ways that already seem unthinkable, technology is being used right now to edit and rewrite life. The future, for better or worse, will be increasingly synthetic.

See the original post here:
The future of the GMO ban - The Spinoff

The term genomics sounds quite interesting, although it is mainly confused with genetics. Genetics refers to the study of genes, whereas genomics is a broader term which encompasses the study of an organisms entire set of genes (genome).

Some facts to know

Do read: What is genetic engineering and how can it benefit healthcare?

Exploiting genomics in medicine

Genomic medicine is a speciality of medical science that uses an individual's genomic information to make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Some of the recent advances in genomic medicine are discussed below:

Image source: Vadimgozhda | Megapixl.com

Precision medicine

Precision medicine exploits an individual's genetic information for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, it doesn't only consider the genome but utilises other factors such as the environment of a person and their health history.

Precision medicine bypasses the 'one size fits all' approaches that are the same for everyone and develops individual-specific approaches.

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)

CRISPR is a gene editing tool and can be simply compared with a text editor, for a clear understanding. Also known as 'molecular scissors', the technique is used to edit genetic code. CRISPR shines a ray of hope in treating fatal diseases, including cancer and HIV.

Despite its great potential in medical science, the technique holds several apprehensions and questionable applications. Due to this reason, CRISPR is currently considered non-ethical in human beings and is banned in several countries, including the USA.

Gene therapy

Gene therapy involves the insertion of a healthy foreign genetic material into a person's cell to treat a disease. It is a one-shot cure as it corrects the underlying genetic cause of disease.

The first CAR T-cell-based gene therapy got approval in 2017 in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Gene therapies also hold a promising future for cancer treatment.

Concerns regarding gene-based techniques

Also read: Telix (ASX: TLX) adds new asset in its cancer treatment pipeline

Link:
The role of genomics in medicine: A look at pros and cons - Kalkine Media

REHOVOT, Israel, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CollPlant (NASDAQ: CLGN), a regenerative and aesthetics medicine company developing innovative technologies and products for tissue regeneration and organ manufacturing, today announced that Dr. Jasmine Seror, CollPlant's Head of Aesthetic Medicine and Exploratory Products, will deliver a presentation at the Aesthetics Innovation Summit 2022, to be held in San Diego, California, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

Dr. Jasmine Seror, CollPlants Head of Aesthetic Medicine and Exploratory Products

The presentation, entitled "Novel photocurable rhCollagen implants for regenerative aesthetics applications," will be delivered virtually at the spotlight session on regenerative medicine & cell therapy at 11:20 AM EST.

Presentation title: "Novel photocurable rhCollagen implants for regenerative aesthetics applications"

Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Time: 11:20 AM EST

Registration Link: click here

About CollPlant

CollPlant is a regenerative and aesthetic medicine company focused on 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs, and medical aesthetics. The Company's products are based on its rhCollagen (recombinant human collagen) produced with CollPlant's proprietary plant based genetic engineering technology. These products address indications for the diverse fields of tissue repair, aesthetics, and organ manufacturing, and are ushering in a new era in regenerative and aesthetic medicine.

At the beginning of 2021, CollPlant entered into a development and global commercialization agreement for dermal and soft tissue fillers with Allergan, an AbbVie company, the global leader in the dermal filler market. Later in 2021, CollPlant entered a strategic co-development agreement with 3D Systems for a 3D bioprinted regenerative soft tissue matrix for use in breast reconstruction procedures in combination with an implant.

For more information about CollPlant, visit http://www.collplant.com

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to CollPlant's objectives plans and strategies, as well as statements, other than historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that CollPlant intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as "believes," "hopes," "may," "anticipates," "should," "intends," "plans," "will," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "positioned," "strategy" and similar expressions and are based on assumptions and assessments made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Many factors could cause CollPlant's actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's history of significant losses, its ability to continue as a going concern, and its need to raise additional capital and its inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company's expectations regarding the timing and cost of commencing clinical trials with respect to tissues and organs which are based on its rhCollagen based BioInk and products for medical aesthetics; the Company's ability to obtain favorable pre-clinical and clinical trial results; regulatory action with respect to rhCollagen based BioInk and medical aesthetics products including but not limited to acceptance of an application for marketing authorization review and approval of such application, and, if approved, the scope of the approved indication and labeling; commercial success and market acceptance of the Company's rhCollagen based products in 3D Bioprinting and medical aesthetics; the Company's ability to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties and its reliance on third party distributors and resellers; the Company's ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the Company's reliance on third parties to conduct some or all aspects of its product manufacturing; the scope of protection the Company is able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights and the Company's ability to operate its business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; the overall global economic environment; the impact of competition and new technologies; general market, political, and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates; projected capital expenditures and liquidity; changes in the Company's strategy; and litigation and regulatory proceedings. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting CollPlant is contained under the heading "Risk Factors" included in CollPlant's most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC, and in other filings that CollPlant has made and may make with the SEC in the future. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and reflect CollPlant's current views with respect to future events, and CollPlant does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Contact at CollPlant:Eran RotemDeputy CEO & CFOTel: + 972-73-2325600Email: Eran@CollPlant.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796342/CollPlant.jpg

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SOURCE CollPlant

Link:
CollPlant To Present at the Aesthetics Innovation Summit 2022 - Yahoo Finance

image:Supports the work of researchers, clinicians, academics, and policymakers to address barriers to care and advance efforts to improve the health, wellbeing, and clinical outcomes of all LGBT and other sexual and gender minority persons. view more

Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

In a new study, providers of care to transgender youth were against the rising tide of legislation restricting participation of transgender youth in gender-segregated sports. Nearly all providers voiced concern that legislation banning transgender youth from sports participation would lead to worsening discrimination and stigmatization, according to the study published in the peer-reviewed journalLGBT Health. Click here to read the article now.

Landon Hughes, from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and coauthors, analyzed the responses of 103 providers of pediatric gender-affirming medical care from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Whereas participation in organized sports can benefit physical and mental health, the providers believed that restrictive legislation would increase the number of mental and physical health morbidities among transgender youth. Specifically, providers believed these bills would increase the risks of suicide, depression, nonsuicidal self-injury, anxiety, and gender dysphoria.

All providers in this study believed that these bills should not be passed. Most providers believed that it was their duty to advocate against these bills and educate lawmakers and the public about their harmful effects, stated the investigators.

This study draws attention to a critical current issue. Numerous pending state bills lack nuance and flexibility and will cause much harm if enacted. States should follow California's example in protecting transgender student athletes. While California allows for decisions to be made on a case-by-case basis, its Assembly Bill 1266 stipulates that a pupil shall be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupils records, says LGBT Health Editor-in-ChiefWilliam Byne, MD, PhD, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.

About the JournalLGBT Health, published 8 times a year online with open access options and in print, facilitates and supports the work of researchers, clinicians, academics, and policymakers to address barriers to care and advance efforts to improve the health, wellbeing, and clinical outcomes of all LGBT and other sexual and gender minority persons. Led by Editor-in-ChiefWilliam Byne, MD, PhD, Columbia University, New York, NY, the Journal spans a broad array of disciplines and publishes original research, review articles, clinical reports, case studies, and legal and policy perspectives. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on theLGBT Health website.

About the PublisherMary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is known for establishing authoritative medical and biomedical peer-reviewed journals.A complete list of the firms more than 100 journals, newsmagazines, and books is available on theMary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website

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Sports participation by transgender youth: Providers' perspectives - EurekAlert