Cells of human beings and other organisms contain genes that regulate all cells’ chemical reactions, making the cell to function and grow. In human beings DNA containing specific traits is passed on to generations through inheritance. However, currently, there has been two closely related technologies involved in altering the genetic materials, gene therapy and genetic enhancement (“The Moral Choices on CRISPR Babies.’’). Gene therapy involves altering genes to correct genetic defects and promote the prevention and curing of genetic diseases. On the other hand, genetic enhancement targets modifying the genes to augment the aptitudes of an organism outside the ordinary. These modifications of genes have been possible with the invention of technologies such as CRISPR that allow editing of the genes (Schapitl). Therefore, therapeutic use refers to process of bringing up genetic materials to the level of adequate performance, capacity, and health while enhancement entails taking genetic materials up beyond normal existing level of performance, capacity, and health.
Somatic gene editing impacts the cells of an individual under treatment and it is inherited to future progeny, making it difficult to predict. Somatic gene editing entails modification of the DNA of a person to allow treatment or curing of illnesses triggered by a genetic mutation (Doudna). In this method, CRISPR-Cas9 is employed to correct the genetic mutation and infuse modified cells back into the patient body to produce superior cells.
Germline genome editing refers to the alteration of the human embryo genome at its original phases, causing an effect on each cell of the body. Thus, it is asserted that the method requires substantial restrictions on usage to avoid causing harm to the generations. Germline editing is essential as it can help researchers ascertain an individual’s health benefits (Schapitl). Gene editing can produce healthy kids where there is recessive genes associated with a disease or a heritable genetic disorder. However, ethical questions have been raised as to whether the process is safe and effective for the use (“The CRISPR-baby scandal: what’s next for human gene-editing”). The technology can be done due to reproductive autonomy, whereby it asserts that human beings have the right to do whatever they want to get a baby of their preference without any limitations whatsoever.
The process of germline editing is likely to cause potential risks such as when incorrect genes are aimed causing modification of wrong trait can negative impact an offspring. There is also risk of off-targeting whereby when after fixing the problem, another one is likely to arise. Besides the safety concerns, implementation of these new gene-editing technologies has had issues in bioethics, which has caused its delay (“The Moral Choices on CRISPR Babies”). However, families with children who suffer from devastating genetic illnesses regard this technology as a means of getting rid of the mutation problem. According to Doudna, it has been challenging to conclude between diseases treatment and enhancement. It is depicted that using genetic editing is risky, and it is more probable to produce damaged children.
Furthermore, human beings have a linked genome system, and adding or subtracting a part affects the remaining part. Using CRISPR to edit genes can present collateral damages through off-target impacts that might not express show on the spot but show up years later or in another group in the progeny of the potential embryo (Doudna). Therefore, if the embryo with altered genome results in bad outcomes, an individual or government will be tasked with caring for the child for the entire life. As a result, society experiences costs and risks that outweigh the potential benefits for enhanced kids (“The Moral Choices on CRISPR Babies’’). Societal issues are likely to occur whereby if the embryo developed can have improved memory, it will create elites who only the wealthy families can afford.
Works Cited
“The CRISPR-baby scandal: what’s next for human gene-editing” Web.
“The Moral Choices on CRISPR Babies” Web.
Doudna, Jennifer. “How CRISPR lets us edit our DNA” Web.
Schapitl, Lexie. “Our Genes Affect Everything from Height to Heart Disease. What Happens When We Can Edit Them?” Vox, Web.