American scientists have discovered that cosmic hotspots near dying stars are prime locations for forming molecular precursors to DNA. They claim life originated not just in space but also near the incredibly hot dying stars.
While the technique has many benefits, such as curing genetic diseases, it can also be used to enhance qualities like beauty or intelligence – something ethicists believe should not be done.
The biologists are also concerned that the technique is so easy to use that doctors may push ahead with it before it’s clinically safe to do so, they say in a paper on the subject, which was published in the journal Science.
The FDA announced that it would “exempt these devices [carrier screening tests] from FDA premarket review,” and that it will take public comments on the change for the next 30 days.
“The FDA believes that in many circumstances it is not necessary for consumers to go through a licensed practitioner to have direct access to their personal genetic information. Today’s authorization and accompanying classification, along with FDA’s intent to exempt these devices from FDA premarket review, supports innovation and will ultimately benefit consumers,” said Alberto Gutierrez, director of FDA's office for diagnostics, in a press release.
“These tests have the potential to provide people with information about possible mutations in their genes that could be passed on to their children.”