[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":324},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-from-human-to-cyborg":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":199,"relatedBooks":323},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":34,"project_category":48,"contact_email_category":49,"yst_prominent_words":50,"class_list":61,"better_featured_image":84,"acf":127,"yoast_meta":143,"_links":146},23488,"2024-09-23T11:25:02","2024-09-23T09:25:02",{"rendered":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=23488&_wpnonce=dabd7cee63&status=auto-draft&type=post","2024-09-23T11:25:03","2024-09-23T09:25:03","from-human-to-cyborg","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffrom-human-to-cyborg",{"rendered":17},"From Human To Cyborg: Are You Willing To Augment Your Body?",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>What if you could have a heat-map vision to search through an abandoned terrain? What if you could filter out unpleasant odors of urban decay every now and then? Can you imagine hearing ultrasounds better than bats? And what about lifting 20 tons or having a third, bionic arm? With the rapid advancement of cyborg technology, the future of healthcare might not just be about being healthy, but even augmenting our bodies and “upgrading” ourselves. Where would you draw the line between being a human and a cyborg?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Superhuman traits in sight: perceiving colors as sounds\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The wish for a perfect human body with enhanced capabilities has been a dream for centuries culminating in the appearance of literary and cinematic superheroes in the collective mind. Who doesn’t want to see in the dark like Superman or lift 12-story-high buildings as Hulk does? Now, what if we tell you that a limited number of people already possess unique capabilities due to cyborg technology? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Take the example of \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.harbisson.com\u002F\">Neil Harbisson\u003C\u002Fa>, an artist born with achromatopsia or extreme colorblindness meaning he could only see in black-and-white. At first, he received his specialized electronic eye, his “eyeborg” to be able to render perceived colors as sounds on the musical scale. He is capable of experiencing colors beyond the scope of normal human perception: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fartanddesign\u002F2014\u002Fmay\u002F06\u002Fneil-harbisson-worlds-first-cyborg-artist\">Amy Winehouse is red and pink, while ringtones are green\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Harbisson is considered \u003Cstrong>a cyborg, which according to the usual definition, combines organic and mechanic body parts to improve a certain bodily dysfunction or enhance capabilities. Although, in a way, almost everyone augments their body, with cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers or even contact lenses.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>However, as technological innovations in the field of medicine multiply day by day, it will be more and more usual to augment our bodies with the help of machines in a more transformative way than ever before.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Even if someone is perfectly healthy, it could make everyone faster, stronger or more sensitive to the environment. This means that the boundaries of “human-ness” will be stretched raising important ethical and philosophical questions as to what makes us human or where the boundaries of cyborgization are. Let’s look at the possible stages of body augmentation to better see the scale of potential human-machine intergrowth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002Fcyborgization-512x422.jpg\" alt=\"cyborg\" class=\"wp-image-23489\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002Fcyborgization-512x422.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002Fcyborgization-768x633.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002Fcyborgization.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fhpluspedia.org\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) Entirely removable cyborg-extensions\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you are wearing contact lenses or glasses, you’re a cyborg-material with analog support. Now, imagine that your contacts could use augmented reality or measure glucose levels from tears (although \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-amazing-digital-contact-lens-can-transform-diabetes-care\">the Google project failed\u003C\u002Fa>, this doesn’t mean it won’t be realized in the future) or you might get a pair to see in the dark. However, vision is just one element where technology can improve human imperfections and go beyond them. For example, Starkey Hearing Technologies is already working on hearing aids measuring physical activity and detecting falls. It is also working on advanced sensors, such as heart rate, as a first step towards pushing hearing aids towards the health and wellness terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond human perception, robotic structures called exoskeletons will truly give a sense of invincibility to people by helping human beings move around and lift heavy weights – or themselves. For example, a gait-training exoskeleton suit \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-jaw-drapping-stories-of-digital-health-technology-saving-lives\u002F\">helped Matt Ficarra, paralyzed from the chest down, walk down the aisle\u003C\u002Fa> on his wedding day. In the future, \u003Cstrong>it is easy to imagine how soldiers, surgeons, but even warehouse workers and nurses who move around patients will use exoskeletons on a daily basis in order to extend their muscle power, stamina, and weightlifting skills. They are already \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fventurebeat.com\u002F2016\u002F01\u002F23\u002Fthis-wearable-chair-from-japan-helps-surgeons-through-long-hours-of-surgery\u002F\">helping medical professionals get through long hours of surgery\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FExoskeletons-512x341.jpg\" alt=\"cyborg\" class=\"wp-image-23490\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FExoskeletons-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FExoskeletons-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FExoskeletons.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.theverge.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What’s the common feature of all these devices, machines and structures? They can easily be put off at the end of the day. They might turn you temporarily into a cyborgish human, but they don’t result in any kind of lasting change in relation to your body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Cyborg-humans: technologies causing lasting, but not irreversible transformation\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Remember\nthe episode in the British dystopian television series, Black Mirror, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imdb.com\u002Ftitle\u002Ftt5709234\u002F?ref_=fn_al_tt_1\">Man Against Fire\u003C\u002Fa>?\nSoldiers are exterminating mutant humans called “roaches” in a countryside\nsetting. Later, it turns out that each and every fighter has an implanted\nmicrochip which turns their targets into non-humans so it would cause them less\nmoral and psychological issue to kill. Moreover, technologies enabled soldiers\nnot to sense any smell or hear any noise associated with bloodshed – for the\nvery same reasons. While the motives behind the microchips are highly disturbing,\nthese implants bestowed these soldiers with inhuman\ncharacteristics. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>It’s completely conceivable that in the not-too-distant future, permanent, fully integrated prosthetic limbs and bionic implants will be widespread\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Even today we not only have \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffuturism.com\u002Fnew-mind-controlled-prosthetics-poised-transform-humanity\">mind-controlled artificial limbs\u003C\u002Fa> but with tiny implanted electrodes they can even \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wndu.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fnews\u002FBionic-prosthesis-restores-sense-of-touch-and-movement-for-amputees-483988831.html\">give back a sense of touch to an amputee\u003C\u002Fa>. Scientists are experimenting with various brain implants that \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.businessinsider.com\u002F10-brain-implant-superpowers-2014-5\">might help restore hearing for the deaf and restore sight for some blind people\u003C\u002Fa>. Rarer, but also in use, are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002Fneodotlife\u002Fthe-next-brain-implant-is-a-real-live-wire-4851d1fc471f\">brain implant therapies for people paralyzed by spinal cord injury or other neurological damage\u003C\u002Fa>. A chip inserted into the brain reads off electrical signals that are translated by a computer to restore some movement and communication. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What if we push these technologies further? Imagine that with specialized cochlear implants, people could listen to the noise around them selectively or listen in conversations from across the room while tuning out any other noise. What if mind-reading came into practice and you could even listen to someone’s thoughts after tuning in to the right radio channel emanating from the brain implant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"288\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FBrain-Implants-512x288.jpg\" alt=\"cyborg\" class=\"wp-image-23491\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FBrain-Implants-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FBrain-Implants-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FBrain-Implants-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FBrain-Implants-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FBrain-Implants.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.mamby.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Digital tattoos, chest patches or implanted sensors represent another strand of technologies impacting cyborgization\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002Fs\u002F601064\u002Fcontrolling-diabetes-with-a-skin-patch\u002F\">Researchers have already created an electronic skin patch\u003C\u002Fa> that senses excess glucose in sweat and automatically administers drugs by heating up microneedles that penetrate the skin. However, digital tattoos might not only monitor vital signs and offer physicians insight into a patient’s health, but they could also work as car keys, entrance passwords or IDs. Extreme examples already exist: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-worlds-most-famous-real-life-cyborgs\">Jerry Javala let doctors embed a USB port into his finger prosthesis.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What’s the common in brain implants, digital tattoos or patches? They cannot be removed so easily as an exoskeleton. Remember the bug in Neo’s stomach in the Matrix? He couldn’t have taken it out without help – but after some time, no lasting marks remained. In the second stage of augmentation technology interacts with the human body in a way that it already has lasting, but not irreversible impact. Although their removal might be problematic, implants, patches, and tattoos could be cut out and discarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"196\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future-512x196.jpg\" alt=\"digital tattoo\" class=\"wp-image-21725\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future-512x196.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future-768x293.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future.jpg 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.emergeinteractive.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) Technologies changing humans forever\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Not as in the case of the third stage. Technologies meddling with the very blueprint of life, the genetic code, may change you forever and not only you but also the next generations. Gene editing technologies, such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcrispr\">CRISPR\u003C\u002Fa>, bestow scientists the power to add, alter or remove parts of any creature’s DNA.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Its many potential applications include correcting\ngenetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases and improving\ncrops. Research\nefforts are underway with regards to gene therapies for patients with inherited\ngenetic diseases. For example, researchers in Oxford’s Nuffield Laboratory of\nOphthalmology \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ox.ac.uk\u002Fresearch\u002Fresearch-impact\u002Frestoring-sight-gene-therapy\">help\nrestore eyesight to patients with genetic vision defects\u003C\u002Fa>.\nOne of the methods is to inject working genes into the back of the eye. Way\nfurther down the line, it holds \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fghr.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fprimer\u002Fgenomicresearch\u002Fgenomeediting\">promise\nfor the treatment and prevention of more complex diseases\u003C\u002Fa>,\nsuch as cancer, heart disease, mental illness, and HIV. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, gene editing could go far beyond treating diseases. Parents could design the perfect children based on their best possible traits. Who doesn’t want a tall, strong, beautiful kid with a high IQ and empathy? \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fscience\u002F2017\u002Fjan\u002F08\u002Fdesigner-babies-ethical-horror-waiting-to-happen\">Bioethicist Ronald Green of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire believes that\u003C\u002Fa> “we’ll start seeing the use of gene editing and reproductive technologies for enhancement: blond hair and blue eyes, improved athletic abilities, enhanced reading skills or numeracy, and so on.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If a designer baby grows\u003C\u002Fstrong> up, will they be considered as a human or a result of a successful gene editing process – the ultimate cyborg with as much\u003Cstrong> enhanced human capacity as possible? Would humanity want that or allow that?\u003C\u002Fstrong> Should we use the power of gene editing on perfectly healthy humans just because we can and should we be allowed to have a say not only in the fate of the individual, but also the future generations?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"382\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FDesigner-Society-512x382.jpg\" alt=\"gene editing\" class=\"wp-image-22555\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FDesigner-Society-512x382.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FDesigner-Society-768x573.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FDesigner-Society.jpg 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.geneticliteracyproject.org\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What\nwould be your boundary to stop being a human and become more of a cyborg? Where\ndo you think the red line should be drawn?\u003C\u002Fstrong> Although you might believe that the argumentation is\nway too sci-fi-like and too far away in the future, I must call your attention\nto \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdesigner-babies-a-dystopian-sidetrack-of-gene-editing\">the Chinese scientist who edited the genes of two baby\ngirls so that they could resist future HIV infections\u003C\u002Fa>. The infants were otherwise perfectly healthy, so the\nmove might even be considered as the very first designer baby attempt. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although the scientific community was shocked and some \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fscience\u002F2019\u002Fmar\u002F13\u002Fscientists-call-for-global-moratorium-on-crispr-gene-editing\">called for a global moratorium on gene editing\u003C\u002Fa>, the technology is here to stay alongside digital tattoos, implants, patches, exoskeletons, and wearables. Thus, we should start bioethical and philosophical debates about what it means to be human or where we could draw the line between humans and cyborgs as we will soon encounter the problem. Sooner than we might think. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>What if you could have a heat-map vision to search through an abandoned terrain? What if you could filter out unpleasant odors of urban decay every now and then? Can you imagine hearing ultrasounds better than bats? And what about lifting 20 tons or having a third, bionic arm? With the rapid advancement of technologies, the future of healthcare might not just be about being healthy, but even augmenting our bodies and “upgrading” ourselves. Where would you draw the line between being a human and a cyborg?\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,23505,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,32,33],500,506,496,[35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47],425,194,639,231,833,246,1036,271,1228,275,1288,289,313,[],[],[51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],1883,2017,2329,3273,3347,3357,4403,4489,1721,1729,[62,14,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83],"post-23488","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biotechnology","category-cyborgization","category-health-sensors-trackers","tag-technology-2","tag-cyborg","tag-brain-computer-interface","tag-exoskeleton","tag-cyborgization","tag-future","tag-digital-tattoo","tag-health","tag-artificial","tag-healthcare","tag-implant","tag-innovation","tag-medicine",{"id":24,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":85,"media_details":86,"post":5,"source_url":126},"image",{"width":87,"height":88,"file":89,"sizes":90,"image_meta":123},770,433,"2019\u002F03\u002F080_cyborg-1-1.png",{"medium":91,"large":97,"thumbnail":102,"medium_large":106,"large_old_512x288":107,"thumbnail_old_150x150":112,"medium_old_370x208":114,"medium_large_old_768x432":117,"large_old_512x288_old_512x288":120},{"file":92,"width":93,"height":94,"mime-type":95,"source_url":96},"080_cyborg-1-1-370x208.png",370,208,"image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F080_cyborg-1-1-370x208.png",{"file":98,"width":99,"height":100,"mime-type":95,"source_url":101},"080_cyborg-1-1-768x432.png",768,432,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F080_cyborg-1-1-768x432.png",{"file":103,"width":104,"height":104,"mime-type":95,"source_url":105},"080_cyborg-1-1-150x150.png",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F080_cyborg-1-1-150x150.png",{"file":98,"width":99,"height":100,"mime-type":95,"source_url":101},{"file":108,"width":109,"height":110,"mime-type":95,"source_url":111},"080_cyborg-1-1-512x288.png",512,288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F080_cyborg-1-1-512x288.png",{"file":103,"width":113,"height":113,"mime-type":95,"source_url":105},"150",{"file":92,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":95,"source_url":96},"370","208",{"file":98,"width":118,"height":119,"mime-type":95,"source_url":101},"768","432",{"file":108,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":95,"source_url":111},"512","288",{"aperture":124,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":124,"copyright":27,"focal_length":124,"iso":124,"shutter_speed":124,"title":27,"orientation":124,"keywords":125},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F080_cyborg-1-1.png",{"related_posts":128,"related_posts_footer":132,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20,"key_takeaways":136},[129,130,131],11151,17884,22305,[133,134,135],21722,22549,14216,[137,139,141],{"title":138},"\u003Cp>The merging of cyborg technology with human bodies challenges ethical boundaries, transforming healthcare from curing illness to enhancing human capabilities beyond natural limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":140},"\u003Cp>Technologies like exoskeletons and brain implants blur the line between temporary enhancements and lasting changes, pushing us to redefine what it means to be human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":142},"\u003Cp>Gene editing, wearable tech, and bionic limbs offer unprecedented power to augment humanity, sparking debates on how far we should push the limits of human evolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":144,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":145,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"From Human To Cyborg: Are You Willing To Augment Your Body? - The Medical Futurist","Would you augment your body with cyborg technologies? Where would you draw the line between human and cyborg? Would you \"upgrade\" your skills just as a computer?",{"self":147,"collection":153,"about":156,"author":159,"replies":162,"version-history":165,"predecessor-version":169,"wp:featuredmedia":173,"wp:attachment":176,"wp:term":179,"curies":195},[148],{"href":149,"targetHints":150},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23488",{"allow":151},[152],"GET",[154],{"href":155},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[157],{"href":158},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[160],{"embeddable":26,"href":161},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[163],{"embeddable":26,"href":164},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=23488",[166],{"count":167,"href":168},12,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23488\u002Frevisions",[170],{"id":171,"href":172},57967,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23488\u002Frevisions\u002F57967",[174],{"embeddable":26,"href":175},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F23505",[177],{"href":178},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=23488",[180,183,186,189,192],{"taxonomy":181,"embeddable":26,"href":182},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=23488",{"taxonomy":184,"embeddable":26,"href":185},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=23488",{"taxonomy":187,"embeddable":26,"href":188},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=23488",{"taxonomy":190,"embeddable":26,"href":191},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=23488",{"taxonomy":193,"embeddable":26,"href":194},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=23488",[196],{"name":197,"href":198,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[200],{"id":135,"date":201,"date_gmt":202,"guid":203,"modified":205,"modified_gmt":206,"slug":207,"status":13,"type":14,"link":208,"title":209,"content":211,"excerpt":213,"author":23,"featured_media":215,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":20,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":216,"categories":217,"tags":219,"project_category":230,"contact_email_category":231,"yst_prominent_words":232,"class_list":235,"better_featured_image":248,"acf":277,"yoast_meta":278,"_links":281},"2016-10-20T15:34:32","2016-10-20T13:34:32",{"rendered":204},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=14216","2021-12-06T01:09:03","2021-12-06T00:09:03","what-could-crisprcas9-do-tomorrow","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-could-crisprcas9-do-tomorrow",{"rendered":210},"What Could CRISPR Do Tomorrow?",{"rendered":212,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\"> \u003Ctbody> \u003Ctr> \u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\"> \u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2016. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp> \u003C\u002Ftd> \u003C\u002Ftr> \u003C\u002Ftbody> \u003C\u002Ftable> \u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>CRISPR is the newest, most efficient and most accurate method to edit a cell’s genome. We have to understand it and prepare for the medical revolution it brings upon us, so here I summarized everything to know about this genome editing method from DNA-scissors to currently unimaginable possibilities, such as having an army of gene-edited soldiers. Here, let me show you the myriad of wonderful opportunities as well as the frightening ethical challenges what the CRISPR\u002FCas9 gene editing method could bring into healthcare in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is the third part of our article series about the amazing story of CRISPR. In \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcrispr\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our first article\u003C\u002Fa>, you could read about the history how CRISPR\u002FCAS9 was discovered and how the process of genome editing works. In the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-can-you-achieve-with-crispr-therapy\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">second piece\u003C\u002Fa> you could familiarize with the CRISPR therapies and solutions available today. Now, let me show you where CRISPR could get us in the future. It is truly mind-blowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If such examples as the complete eradication of malaria, the possible end of cancer and the treatment of deadly genetic diseases are the most likely scenarios happening very soon, imagine the scope of results we might get to. Perfect humans? Eternal youth and beauty? Living for hundreds of years?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All of it is possible if we open the door of genome editing. But we have the utmost responsibility not to turn it into Pandora’s Box and let various monsters created through the inobservance of bioethical questions into the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-gene-editing-method.jpg\" alt=\"CRISPR\u002FCAS9\" class=\"wp-image-14218\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-gene-editing-method.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-gene-editing-method-512x371.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-gene-editing-method-345x250.jpg 345w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) We start “small”: let’s treat HIV\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.popularmechanics.com\u002Fscience\u002Fa19067\u002F11-crazy-things-we-can-do-with-crispr-cas9\u002F\">HIV inserts its DNA into the genome of the host\u003C\u002Fa>, and while it can lay dormant for years and certain medical treatments can moderate its effects, there is no way to make the virus permanently inactive. In 2015, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.umassmed.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fnews-archives\u002F2015\u002F04\u002Fediting-hiv-out-of-our-genome-with-crispr\u002F%20\">scientists used CRISPR to cut HIV cells out of living cells\u003C\u002Fa> of patients in a laboratory – proving that it is possible. This year, they carried out a lab experiment with rats which had HIV in 99 per cent of their cells. By injecting CRISPR into the rats’ tails, they were able to remove 48 per cent of the virus from the DNA of their body cells. Although the experiments are still in their infancy, it seems that CRISPR could mean the ultimate solution to cure HIV and ultimately AIDS.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Editing HIV out of our genome with CRISPR\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F4ym94wNlHAA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Drugs of the New Age\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>CRISPR\u002FCAS9 could also mean a revolution for the pharmaceutical industry. New types of drugs may be developed for treating diseases which were previously thought deadly and incurable. Pharmaceutical giant \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FBayer\">Bayer AG\u003C\u002Fa> and start-up \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fcrisprtx.com\u002Fnews-events\u002Fnews-events-press-releases-2015-12-21.php\">CRISPR Therapeutics\u003C\u002Fa> recently announced a $300 million joint venture \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002Fnews\u002F545366\u002Fbig-pharma-doubles-down-on-crispr-for-new-drugs\u002F%20\">to develop CRISPR-based drugs\u003C\u002Fa> to treat heart disease, blood disorders, and blindness. Their cooperation could mean the dawn of a new drug development era focusing more on genetic methods. And who knows? Maybe in a couple of decades, it will be possible to treat cancer or AIDS through a pill or an injection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14219\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-drug-development.jpg\" alt=\"CRISPR\u002FCAS9-Drug Development\" width=\"5102\" height=\"2462\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-drug-development.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-drug-development-768x371.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-drug-development-512x247.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-drug-development-458x221.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5102px) 100vw, 5102px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) \u003Cstrong>The Arrival of Superplants\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you think about GMOs and the Flavr Savr Tomato, plants are somehow always in the first row when it comes to genetic modification. It is no different with CRISPR. Researchers are currently experimenting with ways to improve crop disease resistance and environmental stress tolerance using the gene-editing tool. A research team from \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fportal.nifa.usda.gov\u002Fweb\u002Fcrisprojectpages\u002F1005372-improvement-of-crop-disease-resistance-and-stress-tolerance-by-crisprcas-gene-editing.html\">Rutgers is working on a long-term project to genetically modify wine grapes and turfgrass\u003C\u002Fa> in such a way that the methods can be implemented in a variety of other crops. Imagine having jasmines blossoming the whole year in Scandinavian countries or harvest pumpkins in February. We have unlimited possibilities…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-superplants.jpg\" alt=\"CRISPR\u002FCAS9\" class=\"wp-image-14220\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-superplants.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-superplants-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-superplants-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-superplants-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-superplants-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) \u003Cstrong>Boosting Human Intelligence?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the era of smart phones, smart homes, smart cars and artificial intelligence – which is feared by many since it might be able to take over the world (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fartificial-intelligence-will-redesign-healthcare\u002F\">Stephen Hawking even said that the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. Elon Musk agreed\u003C\u002Fa>) –, it seems to be a smart idea to try to boost the intelligence of actual people as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.scientificamerican.com\u002Fguest-blog\u002Fcan-crispr-cas9-boost-intelligence\u002F\">A recent study identified\u003C\u002Fa> 74 genetic variants—spelling mistakes in single nucleotides in the six billion letter human genome—which can be used to predict nearly 20 percent of the variation in school years completed, a quantitative trait of fortitude which is correlated to general intelligence, and which you can learn about by sequencing your own genome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“In my opinion, CRISPR could in principle be used to boost the expected intelligence of an embryo by a considerable amount,” said James J. Lee, a researcher at University of Minnesota, one of the authors of that study. So, caution is necessary here. And not only because some will – rightfully! – think that intelligence is more than couple of genes in the right sequence. What about creative intelligence? What about the randomly wandering thoughts? What about the ability to produce memories? All these questions need to be studied, and it is still not sure whether they can be studied from the point of view of genetics – yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrisprcas9-boosting-intelligence.jpg\" alt=\"CRISPR\u002FCAS9\" class=\"wp-image-14221\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrisprcas9-boosting-intelligence.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrisprcas9-boosting-intelligence-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrisprcas9-boosting-intelligence-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrisprcas9-boosting-intelligence-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) Editing humans?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And here we are. We arrived at the most problematic issue of genetic editing. To the human being and to what a lot of people consider already as the territory of the Gods. The editing of the genome of humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are tremendous bioethical issues about human genetic editing starting from the pre-selection of embryos who could live and who will be condemned to death until the effective designing of babies. But I have to tell you that it is not a distant possibility in the future, it is already happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During pregnancy, there are lots of tests pregnant women go through. Many of them examine whether the foetus has any deadly genetic disease. For example, if the little embryo is diagnosed with Down-syndrome, the mother could decide to terminate the pregnancy. And in most cases, they do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, whether you like it or not, whether you fee adverse and negative about it or not – it is already happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London want to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fhealth-35301238%20\">genetically modify human embryos\u003C\u002Fa> to learn more about the earliest stages of human life and potentially reduce the number of miscarriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"579\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-editing-humans.jpg\" alt=\"CRISPR\u002FCAS9 - Editing Humans\" class=\"wp-image-14222\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-editing-humans.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-editing-humans-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-editing-humans-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-editing-humans-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6) Designing babies?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine the following scenario: you and your wife decided to have a kid. After going to the bedroom and having done the usual procedure, you call a genetic designer and ask for a personal appointment. Then you sit down at the kitchen table and start to talk about how your kid should look like and what traits should he or she have. You decide you would like to have a nice and healthy boy with plenty of blond hair (no, not like Donald Trumps’). He should be very intelligent, he should have great eye-sight, and he should have a great immune system, be muscular, be tall and have a nice smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And imagine a darker scenario. What if with the advancement of biotechnology, in a fully controlled society, a leader decides about the biological “casts” of people – producing humans who are working as blue-collar laborers, producing humans who are white-collar laborers or producing killing-machines – genetically modified soldiers with the inability to empathy or free will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Are we far away from this? Should we be far away from this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Chinese researchers reported using CRISPR to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.popsci.com\u002Fresearchers-edit-genes-human-embryos-first-time\">edit the genome of human embryos\u003C\u002Fa> in April 2015, however they \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.popsci.com\u002Fshould-bioethicists-get-out-way-crispr-research\">sparked a worldwide debate\u003C\u002Fa> over how this technology could (or should) be used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The gene-editing of embryos carries huge risks as CRISPR can accidentally edit genes that have a DNA sequence similar to its target, and cause irreversible mutations in the embryos. It is a scary and very alarming outcome, and we should definitely do everything in our power to avoid such scenarios.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Should We Make Designer Babies?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FlHesvjW1bKM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7) Eternal Youth and Living Forever?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And what happens, if we are able to eradicate diseases and to design perfectly healthy humans? What if we also find the gene which is responsible for aging and we will be able to cut it out with the help of CRISPR? Are we going to live for two- or three hundred years and die looking like our 22-year-old selves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>How could we deal with such a scenario? Can we even deal with the possibility that it is already imaginable with the recent scientific method? It would completely change our perception about our species, our relation to nature – even life and death itself. And what if something goes wrong? What are the consequences to such a scenario? If we cut malaria genes out of mosquitoes, what if we kill them by accident? What will bats eat then? And what if something bigger happens? What if we condemn humanity to death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Can we even think about such issues buried in our little universes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Where are our finest philosophers to offer some insight about it? Because we not only need science, but also philosophy, religion and ethics to keep up with the rapid developments and offer advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-cas9-experimenting.jpg\" alt=\"CRISPR\u002FCAS9\" class=\"wp-image-14223\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-cas9-experimenting.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-cas9-experimenting-768x501.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-cas9-experimenting-512x334.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-cas9-experimenting-383x250.jpg 383w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What Can We and What Should We Do?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When the Chinese researchers reported using CRISPR to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.popsci.com\u002Fresearchers-edit-genes-human-embryos-first-time\">edit the genome of human embryos\u003C\u002Fa> in April 2015, the world’s foremost geneticists, biotechnologists, and bioethicists decided to gather and discuss the issue with immense significance.  They gathered in Washington to discuss the future of gene editing, agreed that basic research should progress but there should be a moratorium on editing human embryos on pregnancies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But CRISPR itself cannot be stopped from other types of research apparently. Couple of months after the Chinese experiments were reported, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.theregister.co.uk\u002F2016\u002F02\u002F02\u002Fblighty_ticks_crispr_gene_altering_of_fertilised_human_embryos\u002F\">in February 2016, UK scientists have been allowed\u003C\u002Fa> by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to use the CRISPR on unused human embryos. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.theregister.co.uk\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F23\u002Fus_committee_greenlights_crisprcas9_human_cancer_cell_trials\u002F\">In June, 2016 it was reported\u003C\u002Fa> that a United States advisory committee has green-lighted the use of CRISPR in human trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Genome editing did not appear overnight. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fbioethics.medicine.iu.edu\u002Fpeople\u002Fmeslin\u002F\">Eric Meslin\u003C\u002Fa>, the director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.popsci.com\u002Fshould-bioethicists-get-out-way-crispr-research\">reminded here\u003C\u002Fa> that we’ve been talking about manipulation of the genome for 40 years, since the 70s. There was steps like the sheep clone Dolly, patients dying from gene therapy treatments, the stem cell debate of the early 2000s—all of these echoes are present whenever the ethics of CRISPR come up, he added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fgenome-editing-moral-issues.jpg\" alt=\"CRISPR\u002FCAS9\" class=\"wp-image-14224\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fgenome-editing-moral-issues.jpg 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fgenome-editing-moral-issues-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fgenome-editing-moral-issues-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fgenome-editing-moral-issues-333x250.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.popsci.com\u002Fshould-bioethicists-get-out-way-crispr-research\">Bioethicists usually strike a balance between regulation and permission\u003C\u002Fa>—too much permission, and researchers can ignore societal constructs of morality; too much restriction means progress slows down, and scientists start to operate outside that agreement in shady, grey cellars financed by evil-minded billionaires. They believe that bioethicists need to be more–not less–involved in the conversation about CRISPR. However, the most important issue is that for technologies that have the capacity to disrupt the world of research and medicine as we know it, everyone–researchers, politicians, sociologists, theologians, average citizens all over the world–must be drawn in to the discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>David Lemberg, the founding editor of Bioethics Today and associate faculty professor in the Department of Community Health at National University says that the role for bioethicists—and of all stakeholders representing numerous interest groups—is to oversee research and to limit its conduct based on the precautionary principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Just because we can do a thing does not mean we should do the thing”, he added. And I completely agree with his statement. Although we need to facilitate the advance of such research methods in curing diseases, but an army of bioethicists are needed to make sure we keep human values we are meant to keep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And if you want to see what the topic is about in a nutshell, check out this awesome video, we were referring to through the whole time:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Genetic Engineering Will Change Everything Forever – CRISPR\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FjAhjPd4uNFY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n",{"rendered":214,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2016. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",14225,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,218],488,[220,221,40,222,223,224,225,226,227,228,229,44,46,47],144,212,517,256,570,260,571,261,262,272,[],[],[233,234,55],2143,2657,[236,14,63,64,65,66,67,68,237,238,239,76,240,241,242,243,244,245,246,247,80,82,83],"post-14216","category-genomics","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-dna","tag-gc1","tag-genes","tag-crispr","tag-genetics","tag-genome-editing","tag-genome","tag-genomics","tag-health-20",{"id":215,"alt_text":249,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":85,"media_details":250,"post":135,"source_url":276},"CRISPR\u002FCAS9",{"width":251,"height":252,"file":253,"sizes":254,"image_meta":274},870,489,"2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-eternal-youth.jpg",{"medium":255,"large":259,"thumbnail":262,"medium_large":265,"large_old_512x288":266,"medium_old_444x250":269},{"file":256,"width":93,"height":94,"mime-type":257,"source_url":258},"crispr-eternal-youth-370x208.jpg","image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-eternal-youth-370x208.jpg",{"file":260,"width":99,"height":100,"mime-type":257,"source_url":261},"crispr-eternal-youth-768x432.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-eternal-youth-768x432.jpg",{"file":263,"width":104,"height":104,"mime-type":257,"source_url":264},"crispr-eternal-youth-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-eternal-youth-150x150.jpg",{"file":260,"width":99,"height":100,"mime-type":257,"source_url":261},{"file":267,"width":109,"height":110,"mime-type":257,"source_url":268},"crispr-eternal-youth-512x288.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-eternal-youth-512x288.jpg",{"file":270,"width":271,"height":272,"mime-type":257,"source_url":273},"crispr-eternal-youth-444x250.jpg",444,250,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-eternal-youth-444x250.jpg",{"aperture":124,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":124,"copyright":27,"focal_length":124,"iso":124,"shutter_speed":124,"title":27,"orientation":124,"keywords":275},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcrispr-eternal-youth.jpg",{"related_posts":20,"related_posts_footer":20,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20},{"yoast_wpseo_title":279,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":280,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":208},"What Could CRISPR Do Tomorrow? - The Medical Futurist","Let me show you the opportunities as well as frightening ethical challenges the CRISPR\u002FCas9 gene editing method could bring into healthcare in the future.",{"self":282,"collection":287,"about":289,"author":291,"replies":293,"version-history":296,"predecessor-version":300,"wp:featuredmedia":304,"wp:attachment":307,"wp:term":310,"curies":321},[283],{"href":284,"targetHints":285},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14216",{"allow":286},[152],[288],{"href":155},[290],{"href":158},[292],{"embeddable":26,"href":161},[294],{"embeddable":26,"href":295},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=14216",[297],{"count":298,"href":299},7,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14216\u002Frevisions",[301],{"id":302,"href":303},37309,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14216\u002Frevisions\u002F37309",[305],{"embeddable":26,"href":306},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F14225",[308],{"href":309},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=14216",[311,313,315,317,319],{"taxonomy":181,"embeddable":26,"href":312},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=14216",{"taxonomy":184,"embeddable":26,"href":314},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=14216",{"taxonomy":187,"embeddable":26,"href":316},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=14216",{"taxonomy":190,"embeddable":26,"href":318},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=14216",{"taxonomy":193,"embeddable":26,"href":320},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=14216",[322],{"name":197,"href":198,"templated":26},[],1785956524037]