It's gonna happen anyway, but no, I don't think that's something we should be doing right now. We just started understanding genetics... We're still discovering new organ functions in our bodies and we've only been scratching the surface in understanding the brain. Messing with genetics now will have a huge impact in the future of humanity, I just think we need to understand it better before we make that leap.

The natural evolutionary process has modified our bodies in extraordinary ways. We do not need our gall bladders, coccyx, appendix, and can even live without half our brains as sone have. If we have the ability to potentially modify cancer from the human genome, why not?

Thalidamyde (sp) was a drug given to expectant mothers . In the US , this was during the early 1960s . Children were born missing fingers , toes , arms , legs , genital parts .

Yes! The current design is terribly flawed and outdated.

Yes. We should and can, China is already the leader in human modification, its practically mandatory to screen for disease and the parents are given a choice between four of the healthiest embryos.

Breakthroughs in adult modification utilising CRISPR techniques are curing diseases both environmental and hereditary. Its not really a question of if we should, so much as are you going to join in or opt out.

First, this is an awesome question to post! Genetic modification is coming whether we like it or not. We need to get ahead of the curve and workout the ethical and regulatory issues that need to be addressed. My biggest concern is that it is a tool that is available only to the wealthy. In this case it would just exacerbate our cycle of poverty.

I don't think it's a question of "should".
I think it's a question of how soon.

As a Humanist, I support anything that is beneficial and causes no harm to my species and my human family.

It’s a tempting idea, and could potentially lead to great improvements. However, I feel that any such experimentation should be done very gradually. There are reasons why things are the way they are, reasons for which no one may be aware. Alter DNA, and down the line you are apt to discover that the original version was better.

There is something to be said for natural selection. For example, look at dogs. Selective breeding has caused the emergence of a variety of genetic types that are favored by humans, and which work well in a human dominated environment. Yet most of those varieties suffer from various deficiencies that would keep them from surviving without humans. Wild canines are superior in a wild environment.

That is not to say there should be no experimentation, just don’t throw out the old version until after many years of analysis. Remember that no one knows what the environment of the future will be like. Morals have nothing to do with it.

Science-fiction writers have been exploring this subject long before it's ever been possible.
Movies like Gattica could be a possible outcome, where we have two different classes of citizens, one genetically modified and others that are conceived naturally.

A stellar scifi book that addresses genetic modification is "Children of Time"!

No. I don't eat GMOs!

I'm sure that in time, most objections will be removed, and there is plenty of illegal gene editing going on now.

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The sooner human beings go ahead and destroy themselves (however they do it), the better for the planet and everything else trying to survive on it, is my humble opinion. It's not a right or wrong thing, just one of those pesky facts.

There is no way to know the long term effects of doing this! How will it interfere with evolution?! That could take a millennium to find out!

We already do when we reproduce.

I have no problem wuth the concept on it's own. In fact genetic improvement could do wonderful things for individuals . However in practice only the rich woud have the luxury of it, thus giving them a physical as well as monetary advantage over everyone else. I find this idea disturbing in the extreme.

Yep, items and knowledge don't have intent and they are not inherently good nor evil. They can all be used for either, the only obstacle is what we as a species will do with it. If we unleash it and cannot use it properly then we should stop, just like anything else.

I'm in favor of it until specific humans traits are to be eliminated, like race, color. Eugenics has already been tried (Nazi Germany). I would never trust any organization to improve our genome without prejudice. Too easy to buy one or more of the panel members.

Unfortunately, morals, integrity, empathy and kindness aren't contained in DNA, so why bother?

If we could get rid of the flaws yes

I think your wishes could only be granted if we "colonize" another planet....See, we will live too long and today resources will be scarcer.

The Nazis are Back!!!

And who would like to put in charge of that project?

100% yes. I can see no moral objections at all,..... only a grey area if you don’t understand how evolution works, believe that god exists & wants us to suffer,.... or you take away peoples right to choose.

Whether I want to combat disease, grow new limbs,..... or even have a kid with blue eyes,..... the answer is yes. .....& quickly please!!