Washington (H24N). A new report warns against modifying human genes to eliminate inherited diseases or enhance abilities.

The report, which was put together by a panel commissioned by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), was released yesterday. Called "Human Inheritable Genetic Modifications: Assessing Scientific, Ethical, Religious, and Policy Issues," the report concludes that inheritable genetic modifications, or IGM, "cannot be carried out safely or responsibly on human beings."

In theory genetic manipulation in humans could result in "designer children," whose modified genes would make them and any future offspring taller, more athletic, more beautiful or more intelligent. IGM could also be employed in theory to rid a family of genes known to cause inherited diseases. But the panel warns that the risks involved far outweigh any benefits at this time, suggesting that "human trials of inherited genetic changes should not be initiated until techniques are developed that meet agreed upon standards for safety and efficacy."

The panel says media reports often focus on the successes of genetic experiments on animal test subjects and gloss over the spectacular failures such research encounters along the way. Those failures include gross physical distortions, major birth defects and fatal abnormalities that may be acceptable to some when they occur with test animals. The report suggests society would not accept the same experimentation with humans.

The AAAS panel consisted of scientists, lawyers, ethicists and representatives from several religious faiths. The group considered the issues involved over a two-and-half-year period before reaching its results.

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