News Analysis #1:
I have chosen to analyze an article titled “In a first, human embryos edited to explore gene function” from the Science News. In conclusion of the experiment the researchers found that the gene- called OCT4 cut from the embryo would make it difficult to reach the blastocyst stage. “19 percent of edited embryos formed blastocysts, while 47 percent of unedited embryos did” (Saey, 2017). They also concluded that taking OCT4 gene out would disrupt the epiblast cells to form right, which is what the researchers predicted. Before the researchers did anything on the human embryo they spent about a year looking at mouse embryos and gathering techniques from it. This research design helped them to know what they were doing before they did it on human embryos.
This information the scientists found could impact individuals in society in the future. Just like Niakan, a developmental Biologist said at the end of the article that researchers and scientist will be spending a lot more time in the future with this information to see what the role might be of this gene. In the future they hope to uncover more about the gene and if it can prevent any genetic diseases. This was the goal of other researchers studying the Cas9 gene. However, they do have the “concern of technology being abused to make specific types of babies,7 like smarter, looks, etc.” (Saey, 2017). With this information the researchers studying the OCT4 gene have with the research found with the Cas9 gene. The researchers studying OCT4 are aware of the concerns with the Cas9 that can potentially be the same with OCT4 gene.
The main Biologist in this experiment, which is Niakan, is from Francis Crick institute in London. Niakan got permission from Government Regulators in the United Kingdom. Some of the other researchers were from Universities in the United States. I believe that all the researchers would have their own predictions but overall the views conclusions were the same, which was cutting the OCT4 gene messes with the development of blastocysts’. All the researchers/ scientists mentioned in the article were in agreement with, Niakan.
I wouldn’t say this changed my views on the topic, but they definitely expanded. I always have been okay with experiments scientist do to find more information on certain things. One thing I like about this experiment is that before they did any cutting of genes they took about a year to analyze and study mice embryos before they conducted any experiments on human embryos. I didn’t know much about cutting embryos and what cutting certain genes could do to the development of an embryo, with that being said I learned a lot reading this article written by Tina Hesman Saey. I chose this article to analyze because it looked interesting and it was a reliable source with one of the ones that were listed to use. I think Saey did a great job at reporting this experiment. She gave the right amount of background information for the subject. She also gave the knowledge that you needed to know for the study so that you knew what the study was about and the background knowledge. The beginning of the article is a great example of her doing a good job, she starts by stating what the researchers were doing and why they were doing it.
Source: Saey, Tina Hesman. "In a first, human embryos edited to explore gene function." Science News. September 29, 2017. Accessed October 04, 2017. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/first-human-embryos-edited-explore-gene-function.
This information the scientists found could impact individuals in society in the future. Just like Niakan, a developmental Biologist said at the end of the article that researchers and scientist will be spending a lot more time in the future with this information to see what the role might be of this gene. In the future they hope to uncover more about the gene and if it can prevent any genetic diseases. This was the goal of other researchers studying the Cas9 gene. However, they do have the “concern of technology being abused to make specific types of babies,7 like smarter, looks, etc.” (Saey, 2017). With this information the researchers studying the OCT4 gene have with the research found with the Cas9 gene. The researchers studying OCT4 are aware of the concerns with the Cas9 that can potentially be the same with OCT4 gene.
The main Biologist in this experiment, which is Niakan, is from Francis Crick institute in London. Niakan got permission from Government Regulators in the United Kingdom. Some of the other researchers were from Universities in the United States. I believe that all the researchers would have their own predictions but overall the views conclusions were the same, which was cutting the OCT4 gene messes with the development of blastocysts’. All the researchers/ scientists mentioned in the article were in agreement with, Niakan.
I wouldn’t say this changed my views on the topic, but they definitely expanded. I always have been okay with experiments scientist do to find more information on certain things. One thing I like about this experiment is that before they did any cutting of genes they took about a year to analyze and study mice embryos before they conducted any experiments on human embryos. I didn’t know much about cutting embryos and what cutting certain genes could do to the development of an embryo, with that being said I learned a lot reading this article written by Tina Hesman Saey. I chose this article to analyze because it looked interesting and it was a reliable source with one of the ones that were listed to use. I think Saey did a great job at reporting this experiment. She gave the right amount of background information for the subject. She also gave the knowledge that you needed to know for the study so that you knew what the study was about and the background knowledge. The beginning of the article is a great example of her doing a good job, she starts by stating what the researchers were doing and why they were doing it.
Source: Saey, Tina Hesman. "In a first, human embryos edited to explore gene function." Science News. September 29, 2017. Accessed October 04, 2017. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/first-human-embryos-edited-explore-gene-function.
Reflection:
Reflection prompt 1:
Reading the article, I did for my News Analysis #1 changed the way I would think about science. Before I found this article and read it I didn’t know you could cut genes out of embryos. Technology plays a huge role in science and how scientists find new things. In my article there was some debate on how to move this experiment along and the steps to take. I wasn’t surprised with the support the scientists had because of what this experiment could lead to in the future.
Reflection prompt 2:
The article didn’t really discuss any connections to other disciplines. I think it could have made connection with businesses that supported this experiment and helped make it possible.
Reflection prompt 3:
This class has really opened my eyes and changes my opinion on science. Coming into the class I wasn’t a big fan of science, I was just fulfilling a general. But now as the class is almost over I am more open to science and the way it changes life as a whole. I have noticed more how science improves as technology advances.
Reading the article, I did for my News Analysis #1 changed the way I would think about science. Before I found this article and read it I didn’t know you could cut genes out of embryos. Technology plays a huge role in science and how scientists find new things. In my article there was some debate on how to move this experiment along and the steps to take. I wasn’t surprised with the support the scientists had because of what this experiment could lead to in the future.
Reflection prompt 2:
The article didn’t really discuss any connections to other disciplines. I think it could have made connection with businesses that supported this experiment and helped make it possible.
Reflection prompt 3:
This class has really opened my eyes and changes my opinion on science. Coming into the class I wasn’t a big fan of science, I was just fulfilling a general. But now as the class is almost over I am more open to science and the way it changes life as a whole. I have noticed more how science improves as technology advances.