As polls show, 95% of ordinary people categorically do not accept GMOs - genetically modified organisms. And this is despite the assurances of scientists that products containing GMOs (for example, meat products), or even being them (vegetables and fruits), are not only harmless, but even useful.
Public opinion - public opinion, but, probably, in the near future, scientists will go further and start making (there is no other way to say) genetically modified babies.
Like in "Gattac"
In 1997, the anti-utopian thriller "Gattaka" by New Zealand director and screenwriter Andrew Niccola was released. The film failed miserably at the box office (it didn't even pay off). But he caused a discussion in the scientific world about the dangers of modern biotechnologies, which are constantly improving certain types of organisms.
In 2011 (14 years later!) NASA experts recognized Gattaca as the most scientifically reliable film.
The idea of creating the film was pushed by Andrew Nikkola actively developing genetic engineering. By that time, genetically modified organisms were already in full use in medicine, but only in 1996 did the cultivation of GMOs on an industrial scale begin.
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It is believed that the plants and animals that genetic engineers have worked on are more resistant to adverse external conditions, have accelerated growth and productivity and, in general, a number of advantages over their ordinary counterparts.
However, Nikkola, like most ordinary people, was alarmed by the pace of development of genetic engineering. Hence the gloomy picture of the future in Gattac, where society is essentially divided into two halves: “fit” (whose parents chose an artificial, most successful combination of genes for them) and “unfit” (born naturally). The former enjoy all the benefits, while the latter are almost devoid of life prospects.
Perhaps Nikkola turned out to be a brilliant visionary. In the years when Gattaca was filmed, there could be no talk of genetic experiments on humans. However, everything is changing. Already in 2016, the first genetically modified children may be born.
Three parents
The UK appears to be the first country to allow genetic modification of babies. Despite the active objections of lawyers, a number of scientists and ministers of the Church, the country's parliament approved a bill that allows the use of DNA of three people at once during artificial insemination. This was previously strictly prohibited.
The essence of this "genetic constructor", if explained in simple terms, is as follows: if the genes of the father and mother of the unborn child potentially carry a disease, some of them are simply removed. And instead of them, the genes of a healthy person (third parent) are introduced.
This method will help families who, even with artificial insemination, are not able to conceive a healthy child (in Britain, about 150 such couples apply to medical centers every year).
People or monsters?
This method of gene modification was studied by three groups of scientists at once. Their verdict: "The method is humane and absolutely safe." Why did he have so many opponents?
For example, representatives of the Church believe that this is interference in the affairs of God. Indeed, in fact, the initial embryo is simply destroyed by the intervention of a genetic engineer, and the result is a creature with a completely different set of genes than was provided by nature.
Human rights activists point out the lack of experience in using such techniques. What (or who) will turn out in the end - one can only guess. Essentially, each embryo becomes a guinea pig.
Well, scientists fear that such a method, if successful, will be used everywhere to "design" an unborn child with improved data. For example, parents will want their baby to become a great pianist - and they will "order" for him … seven long fingers.
And most importantly, no one can answer the question of how such genetic modifications will come back to haunt in a couple of generations. And will not GMO children be born with real monsters that will destroy humanity.
Andrey LESHUKONSKY