The Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing, held in London, recently concluded that it is too early to use gene-editing technologies to manipulate genes that can be passed down from parents to their children. This is because there is a high risk of making errors that could cause irreversible damage to the human gene pool for generations. Scientists presented the results of their latest experiments, which showed that while they had made significant strides in honing their gene-editing skills in the last five years, it is still too early to create genetically modified babies.
Gene-editing will bring joy or woe?!.. The ethical considerations of gene editing were thoroughly discussed at the summit. While gene editing could be used to eradicate genetic diseases or help infertile couples have genetically related children, it could also lead to dystopian fears about designer babies. The summit recognized that heritable human genome editing should not be used unless it meets reasonable standards for safety and efficacy, is legally sanctioned, and has been developed and tested under a system of rigorous oversight subject to responsible governance.
Getting into a vicious cycle? The Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing also highlighted how doctors are starting to treat diseases in people who have already been born using gene editing. The first gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease could be approved this year. However, the treatment may be too complicated and expensive to be accessible to everyone who needs it. The organizers of the summit stressed that making gene-editing therapies widely available should be a top priority.
They have a Point!.. Critics of the summit have argued that there has been a troubling shift in the debate from the big questions surrounding whether genetic modifications that can be passed on for generations should ever be done, to simply laying out the technical steps necessary to do it safely. It is crucial to consider the ethical, legal, and social implications of gene editing before proceeding with heritable human genome editing.
In conclusion, the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing has cautioned against the use of gene-editing technologies to manipulate genes that can be passed down from parents to their children.
The summit recognized that making gene-editing therapies widely available should be a top priority. However, it also addressed the fact that heritable human genome editing should not be used unless it meets reasonable standards for safety and efficacy, is legally sanctioned, and has been developed and tested under a system of rigorous oversight subject to responsible governance.
It is essential to continue to debate the ethical, legal, and social implications of gene editing before proceeding with heritable human genome editing.
