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How far should gene-editing go?

Submitted by jhussaini on Wed, 02/13/2019 - 13:45

If it were up to me, I would allow genetic modifications only for disease prevention but I wouldn’t go a step further. To those who consider that unnatural, I would argue that humans have already defied natural evolution in many ways. According to the article “Pro and Con: Should Gene Editing Be Performed on Human Embryos?” we have prevented so many people from naturally falling sick and dying through advances in medicine such as antibiotics. Technology such as Crispr-Cas9 offers a more advanced way to prevent diseases, by editing DNA itself. In my opinion, gene-editing should be the go-to treatment for single gene disorders because it is tackling the issue straight from the source. Clinical trials for sickle cell anemia for example are already underway and have resulted in success with patients reported to show no more signs of the disease (according to the NYT article on sickle cell anemia).

However, I think there should be a limit to genetically modifying humans. Using gene-editing to select for desirable traits to increase reproductive fitness or make life easier for us in general can come with dire consequences. For one thing, genes are not always good or bad, but rather they can be a mix. Genes that cause people to be schizotypal or psychotic may confer advantages such as creativity and open-mindedness, according to the Time article “How Gene Editing Could Ruin Human Evolution.” The article also points out that influential people such as Carrie Fisher, David Foster Wallace and Kurt Cobain have made a positive impact on the world despite them all having psychiatric risks. Selecting for favorable traits is a complex process because it comes at the cost of another trait that could be beneficial. On a more personal note, artificially choosing genes to make a designer baby would take away from a person’s individuality. According to the wired article, “becoming a parent would turn into almost an intellectual exercise” or “project” that would focus on designing a baby rather than naturally giving birth to one. I think it’s important to appreciate our differences and flaws rather than trying to change them.

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