grandparents and grandbaby (Photo : Twitter)
Some supporters of gene editing make the case for producing genetically engineered babies. The powerful technologies used could be used to help fight against major diseases.
Recently China's Sun Yat-sen University conducted the first study to modify a human embryo's genes. This has resulted in backlash from the United States government's National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the journals Nature and Science.
The NIH has restated that it will "not fund" such gene-editing technologies. Meanwhile, the journals refused to publish the university study.
Supporters of gene editing note that the Chinese researchers grew the embryos to the eight-cell stage. Zero percent could have developed into babies, according to Reason.
The end objective of gene editing technologies is to make exact, controlled changes to certain areas of the genome (chromosomes in a cell nucleus). This can give access to an innovative way to battle diseases.
Yearly about 7.9 million children are born with a major birth defect that is greatly related to genes. Correcting these errors at the baby's embryo stage could end such diseases.
Also, almost one-third of all deaths globally are related to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Gene editing could give people a better chance to live into their 80s or 90s.
Many critics of gene editing fear that the result to society's demand for "designer babies." They argue that people could select their babies' genes like furnishings for a nursery.
However, many scientists counter that the objective of healthy babies is more important than the risk of designer babies. They point out that some genes are bad in almost every type of environment.
One method of preventing designer babies is to restrict gene editing to the prevention of diseases. For example, Pre-Implantation Diagnosis (PGD) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) have used this approach for more than two decades.
Countries such as the US, UK, and China are all racing to achieve gene-edited embryos and the finish line is in sight, according to The Guardian. Regulating the process well could satisfy both proponents and opponents of gene editing technologies.
