CRISPR Technology and Genomic Editing
Written By: Sama Ahmed
DNA is the material responsible for each trait you possess, but what if this material were to be changed to fit your preferences? CRISPR is a family of DNA sequences (found in bacteria and archaea) that code for the enzyme called Cas9. This enzyme is used to directly cut or alter DNA at specific regions of the genome1. With this highly precise and effective method, genetic material can be modified to express any desired traits. For example, the making of allergy-free sustenance (e.g peanuts, milk, eggs). Allergic reactions are the result of an immune response to harmless proteins found in those foods; however, if the DNA of those foods were altered to no longer code for those proteins, it would be safe to consume for people with allergies. A potential application for this technology could also be used to find cures for inherited diseases. For instance, Huntington’s Disease, currently an untreatable terminal illness, can be cured with the genetic modification of cells. Because the disease is a result of a genetic mutation2, gene-editing technology can be used to change the sequence from mutated to normal (Yong).
Although this technology is beneficial in terms of curing diseases and considered a scientific breakthrough, ethical issues have been on the rise concerning the modification of human embryos. Though some sources may consider this question of ethicality an exaggeration, others such as Josephine Johnston3, feel that it is morally unacceptable to create the “perfect” child. The adoption of this technology may seem to pose no serious threat to society. However, according to Arthur Caplan4, editing genomes of future generations will “erode [our] human values”. Not only is there no justification for use of this method, but also several safety concerns have been raised as well. Therefore, ethical implications are being taken into consideration when studying the modification of human genomes.
Additionally, the cost of using methods such as CRISPR is likely to be quite expensive, implying that there will be no equal access to the benefits of this technology (Claudio). And so, it is inevitable that the wealthy will be at an advantage, whereas those who can not afford such treatments must cultivate acceptance for offspring born with inherited medical conditions. Although this wealth gap should not be a reason to reject such technology, it should be taken into consideration as a factor that will surely impact our future.
1 Complete set of genetic information in an organism
2 A random change in the DNA sequence of an organism
3 Josephine Johnston is director of research and a research scholar at The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute in Garrison, N.Y., where she works on ethical, legal, and policy issues in genetics and reproductive medicine.
4 Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics at New York University Langone Medical Center and the founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics.
Sources
Caplan, Arthur L, et al. “No Time to Waste-the Ethical Challenges Created by CRISPR.” EMBO Reports, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 8 Oct. 2015, www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.15252/embr.201541337.
Claudio M. Tamburrini (2007) What’s wrong with genetic inequality? The impact of genetic technology on elite sports and society, Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 1:2, 229–238, DOI: 10.1080/17511320701425249
Cyranoski, David. “The CRISPR-Baby Scandal: What’s next for Human Gene-Editing.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 26 Feb. 2019, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00673-1.
Johnston, Josephine, et al. “Gene Editing Will Force Us to Deal with a Moral Quandary.” STAT, 1 Dec. 2018, www.statnews.com/2018/11/29/what-makes-good-parenting-age-gene-editing/.
Yong, Ed. “What Can You Actually Do With Your Fancy Gene-Editing Technology?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 3 Dec. 2015, www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2015/12/what-can-you-actually-do-with-your-fancy-gene-editing-technology/418377/.
“Questions and Answers about CRISPR.” Broad Institute, 4 Aug. 2018, www.broadinstitute.org/what-broad/areas-focus/project-spotlight/questions-and-answers-about-crispr.
