Are bioethics and biotechnology allies or adversaries? We look to genome editing for answers.
“Ought implies can”, wrote the famous German philosopher, Immanuel Kant. By this he meant that we are all capable of acting morally, if we are willing to put duty ahead of our personal needs and desires. But now, it seems, this saying is being turned on its head. Just because biotechnology enables us to do lots of new things, undreamt of in previous generations, we think we ought to do them – “can implies ought”. Any questioning of the wisdom of these new developments is seen as standing in the way of progress – the technological imperative rules!
A good example of this is the rapid rise of genome editing, a technology for altering the genetic makeup of plants and animals, including human beings, which involves the use of certain proteins that can cut the DNA in a living cell in a precise, targeted location. The cell repairs itself naturally, and this altered cell then can function differently from the original one. One of the striking features of genome editing methods is that they are relatively quick and cheap, and kits can even be purchased online!
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Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av The PEAK Hong Kong.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Supercar Condos
This new property project is set to be the perfect spot for elite supercar owners to store and show off their rides.
New Gear
Lamborghini unveils an upgraded supercar that boasts breathtaking performance with open-air driving thrills.
Aquatic Timekeeper
As a nod to the futuristic glass bathysphere from The Abyss, this timepiece raises the bar for horological aesthetics by marrying abstract visual concepts with mechanical wonders.
A New Way To Do Business
Attracting and retaining a creative workforce is a perpetual challenge. The answer may lie in B Corps, a certification process that’s focused on the societal impact a company has.
Circular Opportunities
Why Hong Kong companies should start turning their waste into a supply source.
The Game Changer
After years spent residing in Spain, Paris and the US, Northacre CEO Niccolò Barattieri di San Pietro now has his eyes set on London. The forward-thinking property giant is aiming to restore the former glory back into historical developments in the British capital.
The Quiet Giant
Dr Jonathan Choi wears a lot of hats and sobriquets as he heads up low profile conglomerate Sunwah Group. But with a rising tide of interest in ASEAN and a pending free trade deal, the quiet days may get a little noiser.
The Boutique Experience in Mexico City
When it comes to Latin America, Mexico is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner and the biggest buyer of Hong Kong exports.
Discovering the Dark Side
Following a growth in the number of protected 'dark sky places' and stargazing travel destinations, all of which offer visitors increasingly luxurious ways to gaze in awe at the night sky, there has never been a more exciting time for astrotourism.
The Sparkle Makeover
From cars to yachts, here's what one pioneering outfitter is doing to add bling to big ticket items.
