Tuesday April 29, 2003
LEADING DNA SCIENTISTS ADMIT GOAL OF ENHANCING HUMANS THROUGH GENETICS
Nobel laureate James Watson says, "I don't think there are any gods up there"
LONDON, April 29, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - At a recent celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, leading DNA scientists from around the world candidly spoke about the eventuality of genetically advanced humans. Reporting on the event, the New Scientist, quotes Nobel-prize winning geneticist Sydney Brenner as saying current advancements in genetics will lead to "the birth of human sciences".
Miro Radman, an expert on DNA repair at the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale in France spoke positively about germ line modifications which would alter genes so that the alterations could be passed on to successive generations.
James Watson, one of the pair of scientists who discovered the double helix structure of DNA, spoke of the combining of psychology and biology as scientists learned which genes lead to different behaviours and emotions. Watson admitted the genetic enhancement of humans was ethically problematic for many but supported such controversial procedures nonetheless. "But I would use it wherever you could improve human life. I think we should be able to try and improve people's minds," he said. "I don't see genetics as offending the gods, I don't think there are any gods up there."
See the New Scientist coverage:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993659
See Interim's interview with Wesley Smith an expert on genetic sciences:
http://www.lifesite.net/interim/2001/dec/20questionand.html
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