The boundaries of ethics

The boundaries of ethics

News:

In November 2018, Chinese researcher He Jainkui claimed to have made world’s first gene edited babies, a pair of twin girls, genetically edited with CRISPR/cas9

Important Facts

1. Researcher He have used a gene-editing technique, known as CRISPR, to artificially induce a mutation in human cells and make them resistant to HIV.
2. The research work has been subjected to wide criticism for being unethical, unnecessary and risky

What is Gene Editing?

Gene editing is a technique through which genes can be deleted or replaced from one’s genome (the genetic material of an organism).

What is CRISPR/Cas 9 technology?

1. CRISPR (stands for “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat”) isthe most widely used technique of gene editing. It allows for genes to be deleted, modified, or inserted in such a way that the altered gene is always inherited in the offspring.
2. The CRISPR system has two primary components: The Cas9 protein and a molecule called a guide RNA.

How does it work?

1. The guide RNA directs Cas9 to a specific gene, where Cas9 then cuts DNA at the specified location.
2. Once the DNA is cut, a gene can be modified at that location. The cut is then repaired by enzymes already present in cells.
3. In the gene-edited baby case, the researcher had targeted a gene which produces a protein on the surface of cells called CCR5. The HIV virus uses this protein to attach to and infect the cell.
4. CCR5 was then genetically changed so that HIV can no longer infect cells, thus making the babies resistant to the virus.

Health Concerns involved with embryo editing:

1. Non-target effects: When genetic modifications are made, other non-intended edits can occur at other locations of the genome. Modifications at wrong place can lead to developmental problems such as abnormal organ development, metabolic problems, cancer in later life etc.
2. Mosaicism:Mosaicism is a condition in which cells within the same person have a different genetic makeup. For example, due to gene editing, a baby might have liver cells that contain edited gene and heart cells that have the normal version which may lead to dire complications.

Ethical Concerns involved:

1. Social Disparity: A major concern is that gene editing being an expensive technology, will be used only by the rich to genetically engineer a baby which will further aggravate social disparity.
2. Consent Process: Critics have raised concerns about undue inducement to parents to take part in embryo editing researches. Paying research participants, a large amount of money distorts their assessment of the risks and benefits and manipulates free and informed consent.
3. Super Humans: There have been concerns over intentional modification of the human genome so as to produce individuals or entire groups endowed with particular characteristics and required qualities.
4. Effect on next generation:Editing ‘germ line’ (or reproductive) cells of healthy humans is considered unethical as it could mean introducing unknown and potentially harmful changes in subsequent generations or even the entire population

Way Forward:

1. Currently, the risks of embryo editing outweigh its benefits and therefore more responsible research and innovation is needed before proceeding with experiments
2. for gene editing to proceed to human trials, a robust public discussion is first needed to establish its legitimacy.