Genetic modification could mean a scary future

The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade met to discuss the regulation of “Genetics and other Human Modification Technologies.” Chairman of the Subcommittee, Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), said that growth in genetic and human modifications means that the future will be like a “science fiction movie.”

But, he said that international regulation is necessary to prevent new technologies from harmful, unethical use. He said that not all of the technology is in the hands of the moral, and could be used to achieve national security advantages. Also, he expressed concerns about states performing unethical research in mixing animal and human DNA, and implanting chips in humans.

Jamie Metzl, executive vice president of the Asia Society, said that a treaty to regulate genetic modification would be premature now, but that inaction will yield great consequences. He added that the new powers created by genetic modification require great responsibility. He suggested using the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty as a model for regulation of new technologies.

Richard Hayes, executive director of the Center for Genetics and Society, said that a majority of countries have no policies towards genetic modification, but some support potentially immoral acts.