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DNA’s Watson Tells Governments: “Don’t Interfere With Genetic Research” (Biogenesis),

DNA’s Watson Tells Governments: “Don’t Interfere With Genetic Research”
Keep state out of genetics, says DNA pioneer
LYON, France, April 8 (Reuters) - Governments should stay out of genetics and let individuals decide how to use knowledge about their genes, including whether to create designer babies, one of the co-discovers of DNA said on Tuesday.

James Watson, the Nobel prize-winner who unravelled the double-helix structure of DNA 50 years ago, said private citizens -- not states or popes -- had the right to determine their genetic fate and that of their offspring.

"We are the product of our genes. No one else is going to take care of us or give us rules for how to behave except ourselves," the 75-year-old scientist told reporters at the Biovision world life sciences conference in France.

"I'm against society imposing rules on individuals for how they want to use genetic knowledge. We're too multi-cultural to say we know how other people should behave. The state should stay out of genetics."

Understanding the structure of DNA was arguably the most important scientific breakthrough of the last century, revolutionising biology and laying the foundations of a new approach to medicine.

But exploiting this knowledge about the make-up of our genes has stirred controversy about how far we should interfere with nature.

Watson, however, believes there is nothing wrong with parents selecting for certain characteristics -- perhaps seeking a taller or shorter child, or one that is more aggressive if they are too passive themselves.

"Civilisation is about giving people the right to try and improve things... We're going against human nature if we say we can't improve," he said.

CLONING

He was less certain on reproductive cloning, arguing there were significant dangers of birth defects resulting from the imperfect technology and it was not clear what benefits it would bring.

"You might have a ban on multiple cloning. Fifty of the same people in London would be awkward," he said.

But in the future, cloning might be an option for infertile couples who wanted to be sure of the intellectual ability of their children.

Watson's provocative comments were dismissed by another Nobel prize-winner, Britain's leading cancer expert, Paul Nurse, who said society had to grapple with the complex ethical issues raised by gene research.

"There is a role for society as a whole to discuss these issues rather than just individuals," Nurse said.

"I would rather see a great social and political debate, rather than simply putting the information out there and just letting individuals make decisions."

04/08/03 09:23 ET

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