Pros And Cons Of Gene Editing Human Embryos

Gene Editing Human Embryos While very controversial, the fact of the matter is that gene editing on human embryos has happened, legally or otherwise. Many people oppose this form of experiments, and believe that it is not good for the human race. In theory, gene editing could give us the ability to remove certain genes and replace them with genes that could serve the same purpose but in a more efficient manner. While gene editing is not a new process, it is not an experiment that has been performed on human embryos until 2015, when a group of Chinese scientist used CRISPR technology on human embryos. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaces short palindromic repeats), when paired with the bacterial enzyme Cas9 is able to select pieces of DNA
Experiments have been done using mice to extract DNA, and clone then, and while cloning is a thing we are easily able to do, the efficiency of these mice is not very well known (Lekomtsev). This technology can be of great benefit, but it can also be a great danger. While one person may be able to be cured by this technology, their children could be affected by the technology in ways that we cannot predict. There are so many uncertainties surrounding these uses of technology on humans. What the scientist did in China is proof of that. We have no way of knowing what the end results would be on an experimental project that continued on. While there are regulations that are currently protecting the development of these embryos, there is still no way to determine the actual effectiveness of these processes. What happens if we decide there is enough evidence to continue further investigations and allow this project to become more than we have planned? If this technology is useful, and can change people, will we use it safely and
Even then, controversy will surround it. People will call out the companies for messing with God’s intended plan, and others will debate about the issues of it being discrimination if not everyone is able to have this technology available to them (Winter). Many couples may take the doctors word for truth, and allow themselves to participate in certain gene editing techniques that they may not actually have wanted if the circumstances were different (Winter). We need to contemplate this technology, and be well educated on this topic to make the best decisions regarding our future, and the future generations to