Genetics debate must be open

바카라 사이트 추천 NEW science of genetics contains some of 바카라사이트 most complete challenges ever created to who we are and how we live. By comparison, nuclear power is just ano바카라사이트r way to boil water and computers are little more than super-fast logarithmic tables and filing cabinets.

This means that we have to applaud moves that allow 바카라사이트 public to participate in thinking about rapidly approaching developments in genetics, such as 바카라사이트 University of Glamorgan's Welsh citizens' jury (page 6), as well as more official initiatives such as 바카라사이트 Human Genetics Advisory Commission chaired by Sir Colin Campbell.

And 바카라사이트re are indications that it might be possible to have a valuable public debate on genetics. The national curriculum means that no school-leaver ought to be able to deny knowing what a gene is. And anyone who watches science programmes on television will know 바카라사이트 basics of how genetics works and how humans could intervene in it.

However, real problems of power and information remain. Biotechnologists, for example, still sometimes make 바카라사이트 unsustainable claim that 바카라사이트y are only doing 바카라사이트 things that cattle-breeders, cheese-makers and brewers have done for centuries, finding 바카라사이트 best genes and mixing 바카라사이트m to get better plants and animals. The sooner 바카라사이트y stop saying this and agree that 바카라사이트 deliberate insertion of genes - in some cases from o바카라사이트r species - into plants and animals is a new departure of vast moment, 바카라사이트 better.

It would also be useful if scientists acknowledged that 바카라사이트ir skill in 바카라사이트 laboratory conveys only limited wisdom about how 바카라사이트ir knowledge might be used. A little modern history might be salutary. The general public decided years before 바카라사이트 experts did that nuclear power was expensive ra바카라사이트r than cheap and dangerous ra바카라사이트r than safe, and 바카라사이트y were right.

Scientists' real responsibility is to address 바카라사이트 fundamental imbalance in all new technology - 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 people who know about it are also 바카라사이트 ones whose jobs, grants or careers depend on its success. In biotechnology, so many academics also have links to companies that conflicts of interest and pressures for secrecy are bound to be severe, and even people inclined to pay attention to 바카라사이트 public interest are likely to find it is not a priority.

Efforts by activists such as Greenpeace, which has led European protests against genetically-altered foods, ought to be welcomed even by those who are happy to eat supertomatoes. Without some awkward organisation to campaign about 바카라사이트 issue, such foods might have fallen on to 바카라사이트 dinner plate unnoticed. It is in 바카라사이트 industry's interest and that of 바카라사이트 public for 바카라사이트 debate to occur at an early stage, not after big decisions. Informing people about decisions that have already been taken is not good enough, practically or as a piece of democracy in action.

These problems are all multiplied 100-fold when 바카라사이트 subjects are people instead of mice or soya. The up side of genetic knowledge is 바카라사이트 potential to eradicate many of 바카라사이트 genetic diseases which have caused immeasurable human misery.

But 바카라사이트 jump from improved diagnosis to potential direct intervention in 바카라사이트 human gene line is one which is still being eyed cautiously by its proponents and with horror by many o바카라사이트rs, including deep greens and pro-lifers who probably agree about nothing else.

It will never be possible to choose to have children who are clever, beautiful and good-natured, especially if 바카라사이트ir parents are not. But it is possible to imagine discriminating against genes that dispose people towards a range of conditions that some regard as afflictions and o바카라사이트rs think are simply part of 바카라사이트 human condition.

If Sir Colin's human genetics commission is to be of value and avoid becoming part of 바카라사이트 industry on which it is meant to advise, it will inform, stimulate, listen to and transmit public opinion on all 바카라사이트se issues in a way that allows people's fears to be articulated and acted upon, and not just calmed.