Perspectives on
gene editing
How do we weight the benefit or harm on technologies like CRISPR?
Should we allow human gene-editing at this stage?
Is it ethical to conduct gene editing in human embryo and what would be the future consequences of that?
Is it safe?
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CRISPR Babies
CRISPR technology allows germline editing so that parents can have their biological children without passing on diseased genes. This can significantly reduce societal healthcare burden, morbidity, and disease mortality.
“Designer babies”
It is possible that people can use germline CRISPR genomic editing technology to "design" their babies in the future through the process of in vitro fertilization. The ability to artificially manipulate embryos' DNA can potentially manufacture "better" babies with options like enhanced intelligence or desired eye colors instead of just healthy babies. The cost of this technology then defines the group of people who will be positioned for an advantage over others.
Reduction or widening in healthcare disparity?
Off-target effects
The CRISPR edits on the human genome can possibily introduce an off-target mutations. The biological consequences are unknown, and such off-target mutations may lead to other diseases, including cancer.
Risks of CCR5 editing
Protein structure and its functions are closely related; thus, modifications in the genome can alter the natural function of the targeted protein. In many cases, protein functions are complex and intertwined with other biological mechanisms. As CC5 protein is a receptor for chemokines in the immune system, a study found that people with CCR5 protein mutation can be more susceptible to severe encephalitis and death after viral infection. Another study based on more than 400,000 participants' DNA sequences from the U.K. Biobank found that "CCR5Δ32 homozygotes were about 20% less likely than the rest of the population to reach age 76."
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Read about the scientific report on "fitness effects of the CCR5-∆32 mutation."
