News

WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (LSN) – The October 10 issue of the New Scientist, reveals that a proposal has been submitted to a US government panel last month seeking permission to perform experimental gene therapy on babies.  French Anderson of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles wants the right to experiment on unborn children whose mothers have already made the decision to abort them due to evidence of disabilities. Mr. Anderson, a highly respected researcher, was the first scientist to use gene therapy on children in 1990. He made his proposal to the National Institutes of Health Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC). Some ethicists strongly objected to Mr. Anderson’s request,  but opposition was not unanimous.