Gene editing, an innovative
method of gene modification, involves the insertion, deletion, or replacement of
DNA at a specific site in the genome of an organism or cell, using engineered
enzymes also known as “molecular scissors.” Several methods of gene editing
have been developed thus far.
One contemporary technique, Clustered
Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, or CRISPR-CAS9, has stirred
excitement within the medical community for being more focused, cheaper,
quicker and more effective than other existing methods of gene editing.
Selected ethical issues:
- Effectiveness
and safety (risks)
- Fear
of “off target” DNA alterations.
- Uncertainty
regarding outcome.
- “Slippery
slope” to using gene editing techniques for elective purposes (genetic enhancement
and planning) and not exclusively for therapeutic needs.
- Biological
safety – biological dangers (both personal and to the ecosystem) of releasing
genome-edited organisms from a controlled and closed environment into
ecological systems.
- Distributive (in)justice due to (un)equal access to the
technology, perpetuating social gaps.
- Impact on future generations:
- Using gene editing in human reproductive processes – introduction
of hereditary genetic changes.
- Fear of changes to the human genome that could cause new
hereditary diseases.
Sources:
https://www.horizondiscovery.com/gene-editing
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/genomicresearch/genomeediting