Genetic technologies promise to influence the human being of the XXI century to no less extent than artificial intelligence. For example, scientists have invented a way to edit the genome of human embryos using CRISPR technology. The development of the CRISPR genome editing technology was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. This development has not yet been improved to the point where it can be introduced into human use. Nevertheless, the technology of genome editing has already revealed its positive and negative sides.
The negative side of this development is its imperfection and the lack of a sufficient number of clinical trials. This study has not yet been finalized to the extent that scientists can allow it to operate in the conditions of real people. Moreover, some tests show that this technology does not correct genomes but eliminates some embryo chromosomes. This can lead to negative consequences, such as mutations.
The positive side of genome editing technology is that it can help eliminate severe hereditary diseases transmitted from parents to children. In addition, this technology can help treat complex diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and HIV. Human genome editing is not aimed at treating diseases in adults and embryos, but at preventing diseases (Androno et al. 2020). In this case, the development can save many people’s lives and ensure a healthy life for the child. However, in order to conduct research and improve the technology, scientists need to conduct experiments on real people, which cannot be allowed, at least on an ethical level.
Naturally, conducting research will require certain financial costs since it is pretty severe and complex. The costs will likely be justified when this technology becomes widespread and will help save many people’s lives, even in the embryo stage. In this regard, scientists should continue to work on the development of technology. Unfortunately, it will be challenging to find people willing to allow experiments on themselves or an embryo.
In conclusion, this technology is aimed at improving the lives of children and adults in the future. Still, it is also impossible to exclude the possibility of developing mutations that can significantly complicate and worsen people’s lives. In this regard, the question of introducing this technology into widespread use remains open. One way or another, science does not stand still, and scientists will be able to develop technology and transform it for the benefit of society thanks to new technologies.
Reference
Andorno, R., Baylis, F., Darnovsky, M., Dickenson, D., Haker, H., Hasson, K., Lowthorp, L., Annas, G.J., Bourgain, C., Drabiak, K., Graumann, S., Grüber, K., Kaiser, M., King, D., Kollek, R., MacKellar, C., Nie, J., Obasogie,O.K., Fang M.T., … Zuscinova, J. (2020). Geneva statement on heritable human genome editing: The need for course correction. Trends in Biotechnology, 38(4), 351-354. Web.