CRISPR Babies Background and Ethics By Austin Guse and Kaitlyn Curtis What is a CRISPR baby An organism specifically a human child that has had its genetics altered in one way or another and has successfully been born or is still in guestation ID: 769495
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CRISPR Babies: Background and Ethics By: Austin Guse and Kaitlyn Curtis
What is a CRISPR baby? An organism, specifically a human child, that has had its genetics altered in one way or another and has successfully been born or is still in guestation. Ethically to some it is an abomination. Ethically to some it is a miracle of science.The ethics have been debated and still are being debated on since 2013 according to What is Biotechnology?’s webpage article.
How is it done? A system called CRISPR- Cas9. Cas9 is an enzyme that allows scientists to cut and do away with different parts of the genome. “The DNA often repairs itself but that can lead to its own mistakes”-(Heidi Ledford, CRISPR: Gene Editing Is Just the Beginning)It is a fairly simple procedure but it costs a lot of money to get the Cas9 enzyme and to get permission to do the tests on human zygotes. Many are done in vitro or in a petri dish (If it is okayed)
What issues politically are there? Some may think that is a farce against their right to religion when it comes to doctors doing this kind of research. Some think that it is inevitable that this will happen. Progress will happen and a lot of people do not seem to like that kind of change. American politicians may not like it because it was a chinese scientist that succeeded.Apparently broke some laws in China and international laws. Some say this is a hoax.
Current issues: Too expensive Could be only for the rich families to do. Can this be regulated? (yes but with many guidelines but it will not be possible in our current state of political unrest).Vaccinations are scary enough for some people which is a big issue today. Against God and other religious beliefs. Chinese Doctor He is under scrutiny for this.
He and his research Targeted the CCR5 gene → inactivate it Some humans naturally have a mutated CCR5 gene CCR5: 32 letter long deletion → delta-32Inactivation means HIV cannot infect After mutation put in place- in vitro Lead to full health pregnancy Two healthy twin girls Family anonymous Violated the international genetic modification laws Not allowed → considered unsafe and unethical (modification could affect child’s offspring and future generations)
He and his research (cont.) “Even if the modifications are verified, the procedure was irresponsible and failed to conform with international norms. Its flaws include an inadequate medical indication, a poorly designed study protocol, a failure to meet ethical standards for protecting the welfare of research subjects, and a lack of transparency in the development, review, and conduct of the clinical procedures.” -Committee of the conference, the International Summit on Human Genome Editing
Hurray! The good: Could have the ability to cure diseases and or prevent them before they even come into being. Save children that could have been at risk. Lengthen the human lifespanCurrently not entirely able to change a genome to make the perfect baby. Not as dystopian as some people may think.
Outrage! GATTACA Designer Babies Ethics “Human beings are higher than animals.”Religious beliefs Playing God Socioeconomic gap For the rich, not the poor Dehumanize Thought as investments/custom orders Mistake on Science end
Where does research go from here??? World Health Organization Some wanted complete ban- results in ban on human testing “At this time, it is irresponsible for anyone to proceed.”“We have to be very, very careful…. We have a big part of our population who say, ‘Don’t touch.’” - Tedros Ghebreyesus (WHO’s Director General) In adults- not controversial Continued, but highly monitored
Works Cited: Cyranoski, David. “First CRISPR Babies: Six Questions That Remain.” Nature News , Nature Publishing Group, 30 Nov. 2018, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07607-3 . Cyranoski, David, and Heidi Ledford. “Genome-Edited Baby Claim Provokes International Outcry.” Nature News , Nature Publishing Group, 26 Nov. 2018, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07545-0 . “Gene Editing for Human Reproduction Is 'Irresponsible,' WHO Panel Says | CBC News.” CBCnews , CBC/Radio Canada, 19 Mar. 2019, www.cbc.ca/news/health/gene-editing-who-1.5063075 . Kuo, Lily. “Work on Gene-Edited Babies Blatant Violation of the Law, Says China.” The Guardian , Guardian News and Media, 29 Nov. 2018, www.theguardian.com/science/2018/nov/29/work-on-gene-edited-babies-blatant-violation-of-the-law-says-china . Ledford, Heidi. “CRISPR: Gene Editing Is Just the Beginning.” Nature News , Nature Publishing Group, 7 Mar. 2016, www.nature.com/news/crispr-gene-editing-is-just-the-beginning-1.19510 . “WhatisBiotechnology The Sciences, Places and People That Have Created Biotechnology.” WhatisBiotechnology.org , www.whatisbiotechnology.org/index.php/timeline/science/CRISPR-Cas9/20 .