3 minute read
Designer babies ethics
Imogen Grimwade (WHS), Hannah Mohamed (WHS), Clara Norenberg (OHS)
How it works
The CRISPR method to genetically modify genes consists of a guide RNA molecule and an associated protein, which work together to cut genes to either destroy them (in the case of viral DNA) or for genetic modification. The ‘guide’ RNA molecule . The ‘guide’ RNA molecule is a section of RNA (usually 20 base pairs), whose nucleotides are complementary to a specific section of DNA. These attach to the complementary nucleotides on the DNA to make it easier to recognise for the associated protein. The associated protein molecule (Cas9 enzyme The enzyme CAS9 follows the guide RNA to the specific part of the DNA sequence. It then binds to the guide RNA and cuts both strands of the DNA.
The benefits of genome editing
One way in which it could most definitely benefit our society would be in the eradication of certain genes leading to genetic defects or diseases. This involves the examination of embryos and identifying certain disease causing genes, so that they can be removed or new genes added to alter the outcome. On the surface this seems like a positive scientific development as it could potentially prevent babies being born with congenital disorders or serious diseases. Therefore, the idea of ‘Designer’ or genetically modified babies could be massively beneficial, in their potential to alleviate the future suffering of those with birth defects or a propensity for a certain disease in later life.
Example
The Chinese scientist He Jianku1 tried to stop HIV developing in children of whom the father was HIV positive and the mother HIV negative (2016-2018). His theory was that if his CRISPR construct affected the CCR5 protein which is found on the surface of a specific type of white blood cells, T-cells. If this protein wasn’t working properly, then the T-cells couldn’t be infected with HIV and so the children couldn’t catch HIV and develop AIDS. Although his theory turned out to be incorrect, this is a great step towards treating genetic diseases with genome editing.
1CRISPR’d babies: human germline genome editing in the ‘He Jiankui affair. Journal of Law and the Biosciences
The ethical dilemma2
This poses the ethical question of whether it is morally acceptable to allow specific traits to be prioritised and others to be completely eliminated. This could potentially enable an elite, select group to emerge with an abundance of ‘positive’ characteristics, e.g. athleticism, intellect, good memory, good looks etc. This would inevitably allow the rich of society to get even richer by the production of superior offspring in an undoubtedly expensive process. This would suggest that ‘Designer babies’ could lead to a regression to clear class division, from the already divided society that we live in. This shows how these scientific developments could be socially dangerous and regressive, rather than an indication of the scientific progress we are capable of. In conclusion, ‘Designer babies’ do pose an important ethical dilemma in the modern era. The idea of a growing elite society of genetically superior children is definitely a frightening one, and one with huge social impacts. However the benefits of developing ‘Designer babies’ are also very significant, in their potential to alleviate the suffering caused by many congenital defects. Therefore it seems as if there is a very fine line between major health benefits and social crisis.
Bibliography
Greely, H. (2019) CRISPR’d babies: human germline genome editing in the ‘He Jiankui affair. Journal of Law and the Biosciences.
https://academic.oup.com/jlb/advance-article/ doi/10.1093/jlb/lsz010/5549624 Unknown (2016) What is CRISPR-Cas9? (photo source) https://www. yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-crispr-cas9Ball, P. (2017) Designer babies: an ethical horror waiting to happen?, The Guardian website https://www.theguardian.com/ science/2017/jan/08/designer-babies-ethical-horrorwaiting-to-happen Unknown (2019) Designer baby, Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designer_ baby
