Word: dna
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Though most forms of DNA manipulation are now effectively unregulated, one important potential goal remains blocked. Experiments aimed at learning how to insert functional genetic material into human germ cells--sperm and eggs--remain off limits to most of the world's scientists. No governmental body wants to take responsibility for initiating steps that might help redirect the course of future human evolution. These decisions reflect widespread concerns that we, as humans, may not have the wisdom to modify the most precious of all human treasures--our chromosomal "instruction books." Dare we be entrusted with improving upon the results...
...future. When they are finally attempted, germ-line genetic manipulations will probably be done to change a death sentence into a life verdict--by creating children who are resistant to a deadly virus, for example, much the way we can already protect plants from viruses by inserting antiviral DNA segments into their genomes...
James Watson and Francis Crick won a Nobel Prize for Medicine for their 1953 discovery of the structure of DNA. Watson was the first director of the Human Genome Project; he now serves as president of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Should insurance companies have access to your genetic record or DNA without permission...
Should employers be able to obtain access to employees' genetic records or DNA without permission...