• Question: Has any scientists been able to use mutations to positively effect humans?

    Asked by 477mutg45 to Emma, Monica, Sebastian, Sinead, Thomas on 15 Nov 2016. This question was also asked by 884mutg52.
    • Photo: Emma Roycroft

      Emma Roycroft answered on 15 Nov 2016:

      Well I don’t think anyone has created a mutation in a human to positively affect him/her. But discovering mutations in people that are associated with certain characteristics has proven to be really useful. For instance, if someone has breast cancer, there are different treatments that can be used. Scientists look for specific mutations in the person. If they find those mutations, it means that certain treatments would not work on them, so they try something different. This can save lives since the patient is not put on the wrong treatment for months, while the cancer keeps growing. There are lots of examples of this. You should look into it a bit more.

    • Photo: Sebastian Gornik

      Sebastian Gornik answered on 15 Nov 2016:

      In science mutations are used all the time to create novelty. For example, a protein that makes it possible to visualise other proteins under the microscope has been mutated to be more effective, so we can see other proteins better now, so this has made research better and thus indirectly positively affected humans.

    • Photo: Thomas McLoughlin

      Thomas McLoughlin answered on 15 Nov 2016:

      WE are now talking about new breeding or gene editing technology. This could revolutionise biology as we know it. The concern here is that we can potentially create designer babies. It is imperative that this is not allowed. Under EU law it is not permitted but who knows what might happen in the future?

    • Photo: Sinead Loughran

      Sinead Loughran answered on 16 Nov 2016:

      I agree with Emma, Sebastian and Thomas on this one, there is amazing potential for improving peoples’ lives but there are ethical concerns about how far is too far.

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