As gene editing becomes more and more popular these days, scientists are starting to make precise changes in the DNA sequence of living organisms. Human beings could attain better health by introducing cuts into the DNA strands and replacing some of them with new strands that have specific traits. Some scientists even do experiments on babies for further exploration in this area of study; this significant leap in genetic engineering raised discussions about human ethical and social implications with embryonic gene editing.
In shocking news in 2018, Chinese genome-editing scientist He JianKui created the world’s first “CRISPR babies" and has received blame from many academic circles and was found guilty of “illegal medical practices.” Indeed, the techniques for gene editing are new and have never been done before, so there are a lot of uncertainties about its standard procedures and the moral issues it brings up. We don’t know yet whether this kind of experiment can be done safely. The editing was tried at fertilization, and it only worked in three out of the 45 cells from embryos edited at the later stage, which could lead to the loss of the whole chromosome. Genetically modified babies have interrupted the 3.7 billion years of natural selection. From previous experimental data, experts found that approximately 16% of gene editing had accidental mutations that wouldn’t have been picked up via standard tests. So currently, the gene-editing analysis on embryos should be postponed to prevent these potential issues from inheriting these modifications from generation to generation, ruining the original features of human beings. We should pause and observe the upcoming data before we decide whether we will oppose or agree with this forthcoming influential technology.
Gene editing should be paused until the technology of gene editing is fully matured, so the baby will benefit and not be harmed by the changing gene. According to its proponents, gene editing could help us overcome serious illnesses such as cancer or metabolic disorders. Gene editing can also serve as a vital tool for human beings to stand up to the unpredictability of nature. It can aid us in identifying the methods needed to treat diseases, it can even enhance traits for beauty and intelligence, although it’s not an essential purpose of this technology`. Nevertheless, gene editing on embryos is still a dangerous procedure today. Also, the genes don’t serve a single use. He JianKui, the Chinese scientist mentioned above, claimed that he has disabled a gene called CCR5 to protect the babies from HIV infection, but CCR5 is also thought to help people fight off the effects of various other infections, so the outcomes of the experiment are unpredictable and may come out completely different from the original hypothesis and proposal, the twin girls may become physically vulnerable because of the lack of CCR5 gene. We’re not aware of all the potential problems of gene editing. More research should be done on different single genes from distinctive perspectives before another test on gene editing of embryos. A moratorium on the experiments of gene editing on embryos should be implemented.
To truly solve the problem and make gene editing beneficial for human beings, scientists need to find ways that the technology is available to change the gene for only one generation at a time, without the next generation inheriting it, so the influence will be minimized. After ensuring the outcomes of gene-editing stay constant for decades and indeed have notable positive effects physically and mentally, more technology could be applied in research for deeper understanding and tried out in certain spots at experimental hospitals to assure there are no long-term adverse health effects.
In addition, the moral problems of gene editing should also be considered. The scientists engaging in gene editing experiments should ensure adequate safety testing and reliability, informing the babies’ parents about the potential risks of editing genes on embryos. Even if we make sure the procedures of gene editing are entirely safe, it should only be used in certain rare emergency circumstances such as only for therapeutic treatment and also only apply to people who already have genetic disorders instead of people who use it for improvement in intelligence and appearance.
Humans playing God is hazardous. Are flawed humans emotionally and intellectually equipped to make these judgments, are they really objective enough to consider the future effects of gene-editing technology, and whether we could undertake the responsibility for changing human nature? It’s unfair for people that won’t be available to edit their genes, either because of medical issues or a lack of money and will discrimination arise because of the emergence of gene editing? Changing the genes of human beings that were shaped over hundreds of thousands of years of natural selection may be dangerous. Without sufficient considerations and preparations, genetically modified babies will become completely distinct people from their original form without insurance. These are the questions that we need time to think about and shouldn’t rush for gaining uncertain benefits that may have unknown side effects.
March 17th, 2022