Pass it on. A Canadian research team reports that an artificial extra chromosome manufactured to contain a specific gene can be incorporated into the genome of a mouse, passed on to its descendants, and remains active, with no apparent harm to the three generations so far studied. Speculation of course abounds about possible mind-boggling human implications. ‘Such techniques might soon make it possible to treat patients by loading their cells with extra chromosomes that are

purpose-built to produce a therapeutic protein and operate entirely independently of our natural chromosomes. It

might even be possible to treat genetic diseases with extra chromosomes that can themselves be inherited, though

this would mean challenging the taboo against “germline” gene therapy.’ The research team reporting this works for a Canadian biotech firm about to go public, so you can either (a) rush to buy in; or (b) take the whole thing with an enormous grain of salt.