Mumbai, 21st September, 2019:Dr P
MuraliDoraiswamy, author and scientist, discussed the positive effects and
flipside of genome sequencing at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019. While
talking about the former, he cited how a few months ago a team in California
broke the Guinness Book of World Records where in within 24 hours through the
process they had managed to treat “unexplained seizures” in a baby. Five gene
therapies, he added, are already in place to correct known genetic mutations
for a type of cancer and blindness, with at least 800 clinical trials in place.
At the same he had ethical reservations too especially with regards to the
experiments that were being done on animals such as developing a breed of
monkeys.
TAKEWAYS
A future where we use genes instead of drugs
It’s very much a reality. Dr Doraiswamy mentioned a case of the fifth
generation of a family using gene editing to fix the inherited illness of
dementia.
Ethical guidelines are the need of the hour
Dr Doraiswamy mentioned how the Chinese have inserted a particular human brain
gene into the monkey's and are tracking to see how it is developing. “Many
countries are not ready for the implosion of these techniques," he said,
later adding that "Technologies are emerging so fast that they are
outpacing all regulatory attempts to put a fence around them."
Practise makes perfect
Psychological research over the last 15 years has revealed that one can train
oneself to enter a state of mind called "flow". Certain parts of
brain function in a manner that it becomes "a state of effortless
perfection". Doraiswamy used it to describe the abilities of Naga Sadhus
to perform superhuman feats without any pain.
The connection between creativity and brain
There’s no full understanding yet into the neuro basis of
creativity. "It's almost like when the higher cortex specially on the
left side of brain is damaged it seems to release some creative abilities which
we have not fully understood." Using Einstein's quote that creativity
"comes not from knowledge but from imagination", Doraiswamy stated
how studies conducted on Einstein's brain were unsuccessful in their efforts to
figure out the reasons behind his genius and creativity.
Technology is both a boon and bane for the brain
Through brain imaging technology the brain can be mapped and one can detect
early signs of diseases such as Alzheimer's decades before they happen. With
information easily accessible one doesn’t have to memorize as much information,
at the same time the addiction to technology means reduced sleep, feeling of
missing out and attention spans are dropping.
QUOTES
If everyone is a blonde, it’s no fun. You need variety.
(On how neuro diversity is needed for healthy functioning of a democracy)
The statement that humans only use 20% or 10% of our brain is a myth. For every
different task we probably use a different amount or different types of brain
region. This myth is propagated either for movies or for people trying to empty
your pockets.
(Dr Doraiswamy, a huge fan of Star Trek, responding to the suggestion as seen
in the film Lucy)
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