Scientists given go-ahead for Gene Editing.

[Mycroft]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35459054

This is an extraordinarily important thing. One cannot stress enough the importance of gene editing, because it's applications are immense.

Cancer, for example, will be a thing of the past. Transsexuals will be able to adopt their correct gender at the genetic level without complicated procedures (extremely easy to do). Ageing can be postponed, or even reversed (one of the simpler applications of the editing tool). And that's just the tip of the iceberg. No more ME, Downs Syndrome, Autism, fibroses, AIDS, HIV, etc.

 

[Altfish]

About time too

 

[Terese]

You sound waaaaay too optimistic about that.

 

[Mycroft]

You sound waaaaay too optimistic about that.

http://time.com/4103289/baby-in-remission-from-cancer-after-gene-editing-therapy/

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

You sound waaaaay too optimistic about that.

Surprisingly, sometimes realism and optimism coincide.

 

[Quintessence]

I suppose something like this doesn't rank on my list of extraordinarily important. Not that it isn't interesting, but it's another way that the species will continue to ignore the actual extraordinarily important problems and continue digging themselves a deeper hole in the ground. In the midst of a human-driven mass extinction, plus human-induced climate change and mismanagement of natural resources, is it really a good idea to continue to exacerbate root causes of these problems?

Eh, in the long run it doesn't really matter. Humans always get their deserved comeuppance regardless.

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

I suppose something like this doesn't rank on my list of extraordinarily important. Not that it isn't interesting, but it's another way that the species will continue to ignore the actual extraordinarily important problems and continue digging themselves a deeper hole in the ground. In the midst of a human-driven mass extinction, plus human-induced climate change and mismanagement of natural resources, is it really a good idea to continue to exacerbate root causes of these problems?

Eh, in the long run it doesn't really matter. Humans always get their deserved comeuppance regardless.

Longer lived humans might gain a wider perspective.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

These dreams while perhaps possible, are a long way off.
But is only being done in British labs....Will take years before other countries allow it. (especially USA)
Might even have patent considerations.

 

[Quintessence]

Longer lived humans might gain a wider perspective.

I very much agree, but failure to account for global population and levels of resource consumption is problematic. Too often, humans do not consider the impact of their actions on the biosphere. And when there are too many of us like there is now, that simply cannot be the modus operandi in the present era.

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

I very much agree, but failure to account for global population and levels of resource consumption is problematic. Too often, humans do not consider the impact of their actions on the biosphere. And when there are too many of us like there is now, that simply cannot be the modus operandi in the present era.

This is true, but also a very complex problem.

Not doing this when we can is the equivalent of murder.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

This is true, but also a very complex problem.

Not doing this when we can is the equivalent of murder.

There are lots of things that we can do, but that are morally wrong or illegal.
Murder is one of them.
Limiting population to what the world can reasonably cope with is certainly not.

 

[Altfish]

You sound waaaaay too optimistic about that.

Why? At least if we try and it reveals little benefit we have used our best endeavours to cure suffering. To not try is a criminal act, I'm pro-life on this subject.

 

[Terese]

Why? At least if we try and it reveals little benefit we have used our best endeavours to cure suffering. To not try is a criminal act, I'm pro-life on this subject.

It sounded like a wonder cure, that would fix all our problems in society. That's why i was being pessimistic

 

[Thanda]

Longer lived humans might gain a wider perspective.

Doubt it

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

There are lots of things that we can do, but that are morally wrong or illegal.
Murder is one of them.
Limiting population to what the world can reasonably cope with is certainly not.

But the only ways to do that is to kill the living, kill the unborn, or limit births.

All of which are at best morally grey.

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

Doubt it

I said might.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

But the only ways to do that is to kill the living, kill the unborn, or limit births.

All of which are at best morally grey.

When you face a seemingly impossible problem not making a decision can lead to even worse scenarios.
Often when push comes to shove, other options present themselves.
An uncontrolled population will inevitably lead to an implosion.

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

When you face a seemingly impossible problem not making a decision can lead to even worse scenarios.
Often when push comes to shove, other options present themselves.
An uncontrolled population will inevitably lead to an implosion.

Unfortunately this is the case. I wish the world was not this way.

 

[Mycroft]

But the only ways to do that is to kill the living, kill the unborn, or limit births.

All of which are at best morally grey.

Better to be swimming in a morally grey area than extinct.

 

[mindlight]

http://time.com/4103289/baby-in-remission-from-cancer-after-gene-editing-therapy/

This is pretty early stage stuff and not a permanent solution as it stands. Longer life and much of the other things you mentioned are not the result of these experiments