"[This research] emphasises the need for an immediate global ban on the creation of GM designer babies"
Chinese scientists have confirmed that they are the first in the world to alter the DNA of human embryos. Researchers at the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou modified the gene responsible for thalassaemia whilst claiming that the engineered embryos were 'non-viable'.
The technique used had previously been tested on adult stem cells and animal cells only. Dr David King of Human Genetics Alert said that it "... emphasises the need for an immediate global ban on the creation of GM designer babies". [Telegraph, 23 April]
Reacting to the news, one eminent pro-life bioethicist commented to SPUC: "If you are allowed to experiment on human embryos there will be many groups of researchers (four already in China) that will not be able to resist the megalomaniacal desire to recreate human beings in what they imagine is in humanity's best interests and according to their own utopian prejudices."
Related story: US National Institutes of Health refuse funding for research modifying human embryos [BBC, 30 April]
Other stories:
- Health committee oppose general principles of Scottish assisted suicide bill
- Leading global pro-abortion advocates speak at Vatican conference
- SPUC seeking new honorary treasurer
- DUP leader's stance against abortion welcomed by SPUC [SPUC, 1 May]
- The latest efforts to legalise abortion in Africa [Culture of Life Africa, 1 May]
- Birmingham’s March for Life takes us back to geographical roots of the evil of abortion [John Smeaton, 27 April]
- SPUC Plymouth branch hold successful pro-life chain [Plymouth Herald, 26 April]
- Baby branded "incompatible with life" enjoys life at 18 months old [Daily Record, 15 March]
- Irish woman acquitted of helping friend commit suicide [BBC, 28 April]
- GPs to discuss ‘do not resuscitate’ orders with elderly and seriously-ill patients [Mail, 26 April]
- Israel evacuate babies but leave surrogate mothers behind [Time, 28 April]
- Innovators help save newborns with new invention [BBC, 14 April]
- Irony of abundance of storks on Camino trail amid Spanish demographic crisis [HLI, 1 May]