Gene editing tech advances again

[Jubal]

Interesting new stuff about gene tech advances - I feel a lot of this stuff is very under the radar right now, despite the tech being in an increasingly advanced state, which may be a bad combination...

Scientists have demonstrated an "incredibly powerful" ability to manipulate the building blocks of life in two separate studies.

One altered the order of atoms in DNA to rewrite the human genetic code and the instructions for life. The other edited RNA, which is a chemical cousin of DNA and unlocks the information in the genetic code.

The studies - which could eventually treat diseases - have been described as clever, important and exciting. Cystic fibrosis, inherited blindness and other diseases caused by a single typo in the genetic code could ultimately be prevented or treated with such approaches.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-41724994

[Pentagathus]

One altered the order of atoms in DNA

Lolwut?

But yeah it's pretty crazy how far gene editing technologies have come, I feel like the main thing holding back research now is the ethical issues. No doubt we'll be seeing genetically engineered super babies someday. Intelligent design ftw.

[Jubal]

I guess they mean the order of base pairs? Which kinda technically reorders the atoms in the sense that literally moving anything ever puts atoms in a different order...

[Pentagathus]

Yeah it was deamination of certain bases.

[Jubal]

*Looks up deamination*

OK, that makes vague sense I think