Scientists are reducing the dangers of Genomic Science, and they say that they are still going further in research regarding this topic, since the findings and conclusions of this modern science can be employed in the production of drugs for incurable diseases, or diseases which Scientists did not find a complete cure for yet (chronic and genetic diseases), as well as coming up with practical applications for the synthesis of new drugs, in addition to biochemical and bio-fuels products.
These goals might seem attractive, but are there any ethical norms controlling and directing these researches? Where is the role of states, governments, and international health organizations on the level of legislation and monitoring?
Until now, there are no clear limits for this science, and the wide aspects it covers, but without specified prospects, to an extent that no one could provide an initial concept in terms of development which Genomic laboratory research will reach in this regard, especially since these researches have reached an advanced rank, in terms of the design and construction of synthetic organisms (complete chromosomes).
It was not a coincidence that a number of biologists called, a year ago, to stop the use of new techniques to modify the human genome in all parts of the world, knowing that they would change the human DNA in a way that can also be inherited!
Some scientists wary that the new technique could be very effective and easy to use, to an extent that it might drive some doctors to use it before evaluating its safety.
In the same context, so far, scientists were able to reduce the rate of genetic mutation by 40 percent, but they did not reach a way to curb these mutations resulting from this research, and until now, their results are unknown. The risk of changing the human genome is much larger than Science itself could imagine.
For example, the amendments to the sperm or human ova, or even embryos, and the results of this scientifically, and the continuation of these modifications throughout an individual’s life, which will then move to his/her children and grandchildren, and here we pose a forward-looking question to one of the scientists: Will we be able in the future to control our genetic destiny?
Translated from Arabic by Zeina Nasser
