Editing the genes of embryos: a most debated question

It all began when Chinese scientists reported taking 86 human embryos and attempted to modify the gene that causes beta-thalassaemia, a deadly blood disorder. They did this by using a new gene-editing technology known as Crispr-Cas9, a machine that can make extremely precise edits to DNA. Now, Britain wants to do the same thing, except this time, to research the development of a healthy embryo and the possible causes of miscarriage. This technology can be used to cure many diseases that may be genetically inherited and may show some of the possible causes of miscarriage.

Clearly, this new technological and biological revolution has the potential to bring about many benefits. First off, using this gene-editing technology can cause genetically inherited diseases to be wiped off the face of the earth. Secondly, such edits can cause aging to be much slower, letting us humans live much longer, and healthier lives. Finally, such gene-editing technology can end the "gene-lottery," where the babies that have favorable traits are completely randomly chosen. Now, everyone will have desirable traits and nobody will have any unfair advantage over another.

However, such gene-editing technology can also prove to be very ethically problematic.  First off, there could be an accidental, "off-target" mutation caused by gene editing on a different part of the genome, which could have fatal effects. Also, gene-editing could cause the creation of "designer babies", babies whose traits have been carefully selected to be superior in looks, height, intelligence, and other different areas that aren't actually necessary for medical purposes. Even leaving it up to the "gene-lottery" is better than creating a race of perfect humans, where there is little genetic variation when it comes to different natural talents. Finally, this gene-editing of embryos could lead to a scary methodology called eugenics, the racist idea of creating a superior race with specific traits like for example, with the Nazis, was the Aryan race, a race purely made of people with blond hair and blue eyes.

In conclusion, I must say that I stand on the side of not supporting such technology, or at least limiting it purely to medical purposes, and not for genetic enhancement. This is because even with all the possible benefits it could introduce to make life much easier for everybody, it takes away the aspect of life which is that hard work is the key to success. In a world where gene-editing is possible, those with enhanced genes will clearly have an unfair advantage. This is why I feel that modification of the genes of embryos, or any human for that matter, should not be done, or at least limited to medical purposes only.

Above shows how the Crispr-Cas9 genetic editing technology works

Works Cited:

Savulescu, Julian. "News and Articles on Science and Technology." News and Articles on Science and Technology. Science X Network, 3 Dec. 2015. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.

Page, Michael L. "How Do We Weigh Benefits and Risks of Human Gene Editing?" Genetic Literacy Project. N.p., 17 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.