Pennsylvania researchers using gene therapy have made significant improvements in vision in 12 patients with a rare inherited visual defect, a finding that suggests it may be possible to produce similar improvements in a much larger number of patients with retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.
5-hydroxymethylcytosine a new serious epigenetic player
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ScienceDaily (July 26, 2008) — A multi-institutional team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has developed a powerful new tool for genomic research and medicine — a robust method for generating synthetic enzymes that can target particular DNA sequences for inactivation or repair.
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interestingly the write up title is
Scientists Identify Genes that Could Turn Ordinary People into Supergeniuses (or Mindless Drones)
some far reaching recommendations such as
Recommendation 9
There is insufficient cultural, ethical and spiritual reasons to prohibit the use of preimplantation
genetic diagnosis for sex selection for social reasons such as ‘family balancing’.
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Technorati Tags: Genetic testing, preimplantation, gender, sex selection, ethics, New Zealand
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Gregor Wolbring and the WolbPack 