Is X-Men Possible With Genetic Engineering ?

[twitch 0]

After seeing the X-men movies I have decided to ask today would it be possible to create real "X-men"?

X-Men are first and foremost characters based on science-fiction (at this moment in time). That means they have science origins, but their current status is deemed fictional, as they can’t exist at this moment in time.
X-Men are naturally occurring mutations of the human species. Their existence is down to the NATURAL change or mutation of one of their genes. This gene is then spread through sexual reproduction, but it’s existence among people will be limited because the fact it is spread via sexual reproduction.

As we find out in both the comics and movies, there are people with the recessive and dominant genes. But as a resulting factor of sexual reproduction, the chances of being affected by the mutant gene stand at Ÿ (or ½ if both parents carry).

With current techniques we are able to remove and implant genetic material into living things .

The science behind this involves enzymes. These aren’t always exacting and could mean subsequent side-effects. Remember, no two living things have the exact genetic make-up as they produce specialised genes throughout their life to cope with the environment.

For example we insert certain genes into bacteria so it can make products such as factor 8, for people with haemophilia, and genes into cows that will allow them and their offspring to create up to 20% more milk.

In this state of genetic manipulation, we are in a sense mutating the animal. So any genetic experiments on any carbon-based organism means that they are in affect X-Men (or X-Cows). Just because they can’t psychokinetically move books across the room doesn’t mean they aren’t mutants.

So what I’m asking is what is the next step and what will its ethical implications be.

The next step in genetics is unpredictable. Any experiment done, especially under genetics, is very immeasurable, as there are an extremely large amount of physical, natural and chaotic factors that we can’t control. However, at a basic level we could say the next step is biomechanical evolution through the use of manipulating genes to produce carbon-based items that resemble ‘bionic’ instruments. For example, a semi robotic-living arm could be produced. However, this is a large step that we are not quite near.
Today’s society is evolving, but at a slow rate. People are becoming more and more tolerant of ideas and others. However, something as large as genetic experiments on humans is still a taboo. It will take decades before people are ready to accept the benefits of genetic manipulation, because our minds are not suited to this way of thinking yet.

Will there ever be genetic manipulation of the human DNA sequence to better the human species? If there ever is than will these changes allow people abilities such as that of the X-men or will it never go that far?

Evolution doesn’t mean improvement. The purpose of evolution is to adapt to the current environment. To better the human species would be to open up our minds to every conscious and subconscious levels of thinking. Only then would we be any better than we are. Remember, we can easily keep our health, but we need to be more open-minded (on a higher level than acceptance of issues like sexuality).
DNA sequencing of the human genome and manipulation of it wouldn’t always mean improvement, and in a lot of cases would mean that the person could become handicapped. For example, one person’s genome that has the lazy eye problem, if this were to be ‘cured’, who’s to say that it being cured wouldn’t trigger another problem. Our diverse genome exists as it is because we are alive. If it weren’t for its diversification we wouldn’t be here.

Saying will we ever have abilities like the X-Men is a stupid question. I’m not saying this because the answer is obviously ‘no’, because it isn’t obviously ‘no’. It is not obviously ‘yes’. At some point during our research into genetic constructs, we will find that genes can be manipulated to a point at which they can build together to give us the ability of doing ‘abnormal’ things. However, it is only considered abnormal because it doesn’t occur now. One day, we could find that we have psychokinetic or telepathic abilities on a conscious level. Our minds are not fixed to a physical level of existence, and although the evidence is questionable, how many times can you question something without it becoming something that you begin to believe in.

Well the human genome is a lot more complicated than that of a sheep or a tomato...

This may be at the current level of knowledge, but technically speaking more experiments have been done on sheep and tomatoes for scientists to know what happens and where. Something is only as complicated as our minds allow it to be.

So, no. We're not even close to that kind of genetic engineering.

I have to agree, we are too immature in both science and current levels of society to be able to do such things.

The real X-men of today are the handicapped

Again, I agree. People who are naturally handicapped are the way they are because of mutation. Mutations of genes aren’t always helpful for the physical. However, from close experience, people who are handicapped often have a better appreciation of life and themselves. Whilst society may see them as being handicapped, many people find themselves to be better off. My niece has Cornelia DeLange Syndrome (CdLS) and she is only 18 months old. However, behind her eyes you can see so much intelligence. The problem sufferers have with CdLS is communication. Many of them don’t know how to speak.
So whilst one part of our brain may evolve, it often leads to the relaxing of other parts or parts. This so is the case with extreme Autism.

I don't think any amount of genetic engineering can mutate us to such a degree that we can magically transforms parts of ourselves into steel blades or produce fire out of thin air

M^e, whilst it may not seem at all possible at this current stage or foreseeable, it is not impossible that we will one day be able to make fire out of thin air. If some how, we can control the patterns of particles and speeds, then who knows, perhaps we might be able to transform parts of ourselves into steel blades or something made out of carbon.

or say make us cancer-proof

Scientists are looking towards stopping ‘cancer’. For those who aren’t clued up on cancer, then it is pretty simple. Cancer isn’t a disease or syndrome. It is a natural effect that is linked very closely to our constant system of living. As you probably know, our cells constantly divide to sustain us. However, cancer occurs when the tissue cells are made to divide at extreme rates. So much so, that the new cells are too much that the old cells begin to decay before they are ready. Some bacteria have enzymes that replace the gene that controls cell division with one that makes it divide at the speed of the bacteria. This is why some STDs (e.g. genital warts) can lead to cancer, especially in women with cancer such as ovarian.
Hopefully by genetic manipulation we can provide a gene that controls cell division but isn’t affected by subsequent measures.

Sorry, but once that stuff is in the wild, there is no controlling it. Birds and wind can carry those seeds anywhere.

This is an example of when genetic manipulation is used for the wrong purposes. They are better producing it via controlled bacteria in huge tanks, not in the paddy fields where it risks infecting the whole industry.

However, the gentics factor of the X-men is not the point of the story.

True, the story is based on acceptance of people that are different to the conditionals of society. I think the introduction of these comics helped spring on what we have today. It has taken some time, but we are getting there.

Mutation is affected by the natural evolution of our DNA

Whilst I am not saying Natural Selection isn’t an exact method of science, I am saying it is still a theory. Whilst many scientist may believe in it, there is still the possibility that evolution or change occurs because of other factors. Take Chaos Theory, which can be applied to almost every situation throughout a point or more in 4D. We may evolve because some dinosaur had the first idea, or even the second idea. Evolution doesn’t just involve physical mutation, it involves the mind.

Throughout, I may have seem to have an elitist view, but I don’t. I do not claim nor have an open-mind. I just know that we need to evolve and realise that we can, not just by acceptance, but by continuing as we do in life; challenging ideas, improving, changing and developing our knowledge.

[illini319 0]

The population genetics you mention are based on simple mendelian ratios. Unfortunately, complex genetic interactions do not necessarily make it a straight punnet square equation when calculating the possibility of inheriting a trait. Penetrance and expressivity heavily dictate the final outcome of any given trait. So if we were to assume that X-men traits are superhuman, would that then be considered a favorable trait? As any fan of the x-men know... mutants tend to be called freaks. So how would any given x-men trait have the 'time' to evolve into a true x-men trait if it isn't something that gives the bearer a seletive advantage? Spontaneous mutations would not create the kind of traits that one sees in the x-men. Nearly all of their superhuman powers isn't any single genetic trait but a combination of many (as one could surmise would be required, for example, for exceptionally fast healing (wolverine)). So... to simplify all this, do not underestimate the power of the 'normal curve' in discussing the evolutionary future of humankind. Perhaps this would be greatest tragedy of the commons.

[vhortex 1]

wow this topic is still going on..seems alot of people is interested in the xmen mutation stuff..i still prefer the cybernetics human parts..this is much more possible since more and more men are having machine parts for arms and legs..some for vision and locomotion..--maybe, in the near future..you can just get yourself new cybernetics arms..if they got broken.. you can just buy new ones..plus i can use my two cans of metal polish..

[cyborgxxi 0]

Personally I think that cybernetics could be extremely dangerous for a couple reasons.

 

1) If you are a soldier and say you have a cybernetic arm and you are in a battle and suddenly your arm just stops dead and you don't have time to look at it, or you're on a building painting, building, washing etc. I don't really trust cybernetics.

 

2) On the flip side, say they do work and you're enemies get your hands on them. This could turn the tide of power in the world.

 

As for Genetic Engineering I have to agree with techocian, the whole point of X-men is the fact that they are naturally evolved. To manipulate a gene into change is not the mutation they refer to in the movies. They are manually changing genes not randomly changing them. And currently controlling fire or ice is not on the Genetic Engineering priority list. Current development is more focused on enhanced bodily functions such as, faster healing (Regeneration), stronger immune systems, maybe increased intelligence.

 

Just my humble views.

[illini319 0]

As far as I know, in the world, there are no government sponsored 'genetic engineering' priorities of which you speak. i.e. eugenics. Those who are in the field of genetics are trying to understand physiology and pathology; not enhancements of any kind. You could make the argument that they are considering 'enhancements' within the context of bringing someone from abnormal to normal; but not 'super' human...

[sekhar 0]

I think its possible by genetic engineering. But it takes time may a century to get through that.

[webintern 0]

A lot has already been said about the topic, and, unfortunately, I was not able to read every entry. There is no doubt that genetic technology can and will evolve to allow manipulation of human genes. Despite critics and ethicists (of whom I am one) who warn us against interfering with basic human nature, human inquisitiveness and our uncanny ability to rationalize against any form of morality will inevitably lead to the human race applying genetic engineering on itself. Society norms and values will catch up, regardless of how strong the opposition is during the inception of the first human clone or genetically-engineered baby.So the question is not IF, but WHEN will we begin to genetically engineer ourselves. Consequently, our ability to create X-Men depends on which mutant powers are within the realm--or even the edge--of possibility. Some possibilities include chameleon-like mutants, mutants who derive their energy via photosynthesis, or mutants with eagle eyes and wings. Less likely possibilities, on the other hand, are those that have not yet been effected by biophysics. For example, how will one conceptually create a mutant to control the weather patterns? How would one be able to become invisible or walk through walls? Controlling others' minds?On the other hand, we must also remain alert that all far-fetched and fantastic ideas are not necessarily beyond the grasp of reality. The cavemen could not ever imagine, not in a million years, of these so-called liquid crystal displays that produce images and change colors based on the user's will. Even the greatest philosophers of the Renaissance era may not have been able to remotely conjure the idea of invisible beams that transmit energy to objects floating thousands of miles away. In short, anything is potentially possible. But, we do not know what is or what is not.

[cyborgxxi 0]

Well I have posted in this topic before but not for a while and I don't really feel like reading everything right now.

I think that

So the question is not IF, but WHEN will we begin to genetically engineer ourselves. Consequently, our ability to create X-Men depends on which mutant powers are within the realm--or even the edge--of possibility. Some possibilities include chameleon-like mutants, mutants who derive their energy via photosynthesis, or mutants with eagle eyes and wings. Less likely possibilities, on the other hand, are those that have not yet been effected by biophysics. For example, how will one conceptually create a mutant to control the weather patterns? How would one be able to become invisible or walk through walls? Controlling others' minds?

I agree, we as humans will probably start to genetically engineer ourselves soon enough but like you stated I doubt that many of the Mutant powers will ever become reality. We cannot manipulate our cells into something to go through a wall or hide. However we may be able to enhance attributes but not create new ones.

[zyzzyvette 0]

I think that a lot of things would be possible if we knew a lot more about the human genome than we did, and had a lot more technology.I think the question is, why would you want to do that? It would be awful cruel to do that to a helpless little baby, and I don't think there's a real need for it. Making sure your kid is healthy is one thing, and trying to turn them into something bizarre just for the sake of it is another.

[Aka_Bar 0]

After seeing the X-men movies I have decided to ask today would it be possible to create real "X-men"? With current techniques we are able to remove and implant genetic material into living things. For example we insert certain genes into bacteria so it can make products such as factor 8, for people with hemophelia, and genes into cows that will allow them and their offspring to create upto 20% more milk. So what i'm asking is what is the next step and what will its ethical implications be. Will there ever be genetic manipulation of the human DNA sequence to better the human species? If there ever is than will these changes allow people ablities such as that of the X-men or will it never go that far?

You Know here is one THING about Current genetics very poor in imagenation of full information about DNA as i know they are only on way on it becouse genetics is the youngest science so they know only 2% about DNA and we can easly understand they are blind at nowdays, and i guess that ur dreams wont come true, as ingeneer one thing i can say! they shuold use Nano techalogies also coz its most potecial, and about ablities such as in Films there is one thing like LAW of PHISICS anyway u are HUMAN not a Stone or rock to do somthing like in Films!! thats way it call Fantasy Films

[inportb 0]

Maybe not simply genetic engineering. We need to figure out first how the physics works. If we can get these things to work with inanimate objects, then perhaps we can try genetic engineering.

[webintern 0]

I was watching and got hooked on the television series "Heroes" recently. It provides an interesting perspective on genetic evolution and the development of mutant powers ... sans the spandex. There is not much science in the shows, but it is quite entertaining to watch how otherwise ordinary individuals cope with and apply their newfound powers.

[sparkx 0]

I personally hope the researches stop before they make a major mistake. In my opinion you shouldnt be able to change weather or not you can do sertain things threw altered DNA. Im ok with them curing disiases and all but in my opinion it would make the would unfair. Giving the people that are rich but not speacual become better than others (like in sports) that trained there butt off to get strong, is just not fair. I hope they stop researching this subject (but stay on solving diseases). I think they may eventually go as far as "editing" a persons brain so they can learn faster or their body so they can run faster (ect). They should'nt do it but, who's going to stop them? Me? Im only 14.sorry about typing im using a very slow conection and it takes a while for the letters to go onto the screen. Ill fix it later if I remember to.~Sparkx~

[punkazoide 0]

http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/

check it out.... might be fake... but gives a perception on things...
more than major physical modifations, i think performance modifications will be the first step....
check out ray kerzweils thoughts as well......

[cinemove 0]

yer becouse there are jeans in the dna that allaw you to do that

Edited April 21, 2007 by cinemove (see edit history)