Yup, more BBC fun.
What Prostitution Evolved From: Chimpanzees Exchange Meat for Sex
A big ol WTF for this one: Glowing Monkeys to 'aid research'
And i'm not saying, but I am just saying... BK was in Siberia recently: Siberian Child Raised by Dogs
And this isn't the BBC, but I've written about Piggy Flu before, and here is some more insanity.
Glowing green monkeys is not a wtf at all. Its actually a pretty remarkable advance.
ReplyDeleteA score of human diseases are genetic in origin: cystic fibrosis, PKU, Tay Sachs, Huntington's, ALS, and Marfan Syndrome (fuck yeah Abe Lincoln) to name a few.
The advance of stably integrating a gene into a primate genome is a huge advance toward being able to replace the faulty proteins that are responsible for these diseases with fully functional proteins. This has the potential to eliminate harmful genetic diseases.
Another possible use for this technology would be to completely eliminate the virulence of HIV. HIV binds to the CCR5 receptor. If this receptor is mutated, the only result is that the individual is immune to HIV. In the last year someone was actually cured of HIV by getting a bone marrow transplant from a CCR5-/- host ( http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/11/health.hiv.stemcell/index.html ). After more research the good copy of CCR5 could be replaced by the mutated form, resulting in immunity to HIV.
Related to HIV, a company in the Bay Area is trying to create resistance through other means ( http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/387833/lab_studies_show_sangamo_hiv_therapy_is_effective/ ). One of the top guys in that company is a professor in my department.
Yeah yeah yeah, moral dilemmas everywhere. But the possibilities are incredible once we are able to stably integrate genes. Its a really exciting time to be involved in biological research. Another reason I am very happy I'm getting my PhD in this stuff.
Wow.
ReplyDeleteWill just took it to a whole new level.
Good for you Will, you should be proud to be in the field of biological research. Can you make girls less crazy while your at making monkeys glow green? Thanks.
well i got pwnd.
ReplyDeleteIn my defense, the article focuses more on the ethics part and doesn't do a great job at explaining the where the development could theoretically lead to.
And I was really just highlighting the initial reaction I got when seeing the headline/picture.
I mean I would argue that child neglect is important to take seriously too, but either way, the concept of someone being raised by dogs is pretty bizzare.
No offense meant. Hope none taken. Your work and other's are working towards wonderful goals.
Of course I'm not offended. Unfortunately, non-scientists have troubles understanding the significance of much of science. Hell, I understand essentially zero physics or astrophysics. There is just too much information out there. What is needed are people that understand the science to write it up in an understandable way. Unfortunately, most scientists SUCK at presenting their work, especially to a lay-person, and the good writers have no idea what they are writing about. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteSophomore year I decided I wanted to make green glowing dogs. Not for any purpose other than to have a green dog. Shortly after that someone made green cats and my dreams were crushed.
I was only 100 km from there! The road we took went to Chita!
ReplyDelete