In the recent months, a Chinese scientist claims to have altered the DNA of two twin girls in the embryonic stage. He Jiankui revealed the details in the International Human Genome Editing Summit in November of 2018. The scientist used the gene-editing technology Crispr-Cas9 in order to alter embryos and modify the CCR5 gene. In particular, the CCR5 gene was changed in imitation of a gene that is found in a small percentage of people who are resistant to HIV. However, there are major debates on the process of He’s actions and the primary issues within He’s work surround the ethicality.
1. Currently, the Chinese government has deemed his work as a violation of state laws for the gain of fame and fortune. He avoided regulation and potentially used unsafe and unregulated methods in the process. The idea of a scientist working against regulations is upsetting to a lot of individuals within the research community.
2. Changing the genes within an embryo causes unpredictable results. Regardless of the attempt to target a gene, it is unknown whether or not there will be alterations in other areas of the embryonic DNA that can be detrimental to the future health of the child. This experiment was viewed as a reckless maneuver.
3. There are safer ways to prevent H.I.V. and to keep H.I.V. virus count down using pharmaceutical drugs. Scientists have agreed that the treatments and experiments for CRISPR should be utilized as a last option and should be avoided if there are safer ways to prevent the diseases.
4. Several geneticists within the field fear that Dr. He’s experiment could negatively and counterproductively affect legitimate research in gene-editing. The technology has potential but the misuse proves that it may be dangerous for certain scientists to engage in it.
5. Rogue scientists may be enticing individual couples to take on these experiments without realizing the amount of risks that could result in having children with altered genetics.
As for Berkeley professors, Doudna agrees with supporting strict international criteria and stated, “I was just horrified; I felt kind of physically sick” when she learned about the events that had occured. “This announcement confirms an international ‘red line’ of ethical and scientific conduct to help ensure that this type of radical, medically unnecessary and negligent work does not happen again.”
In the FDA, congress has barred any clinical trials that involve human embryo editing. The National Institutes of Health has also been prohibited in using fundings for research in this realm. Overall, genetic editing of embryos is a heavy subject that should not taken lightly.