Genetic researchers say they may be able to produce desired gene modifications in rodents that can be inherited.

Those alterations would help researchers have better access to lab animals that mimic complex human diseases. But plans to alter insects and rodents in the wild and the larger issue of where gene modifications may be headed is causing controversy.

That controversy is the subject of a discussion hosted by the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

Kim Cooper, assistant professor in the cell and developmental biology at UC San Diego, will be the guest speaker at the event.

Cooper joins Midday Edition Tuesday to talk about the technology and ways it can be used.

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