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As shown in the video above recent experiments claim that two babies have been born that were genetically engineered to resist HIV infection. Should this or any similar genetic modifications (which can be passed from generation to generation unlike standard gene therapy such as the one used to treat the woman with the vision problems ) be allowed for humans?
Yes, I think that genetic modifications that will benefit the human race should be allowed for humans. Today, the world is moving from a survival-based environment to a comfort-in-life idea. Scientists, Doctors, and even Teachers are trying to find ways to make everyday life easier and more comfortable. Yet, with all the innovations, modifying the genome for the better causes unrest in the population. I believe that if a genetic trait is hurting our society, it should be modified to save our community.
Yes, I think that similar genetic modifications should be allowed under certain circumstances. Allowing a couple to have a baby without HIV, giving a person the gift of vision, or taking away the pain of sickle cell anemia is a scientific miracle. My only concern is that some people may want to make designer babies choosing hair, eye color, or some other phenotype that they find appealing. I worry that it would lead to the unethical creation of a super human or a creation that is better left on the pages of a horror or science fiction novel.
Anyone with an ounce of empathy is going to say “Yes, let’s treat these conditions using genetic therapy.” However, we as humans have a tendency to take “good things” too far. Without strict regulations/oversight to prevent the usage of such techniques in Warfare and Genocide, I’d have to err on the side of caution and say “No” in most (if not all) instances. This technology, in human hands, could be the most devastating weapon we’ve unleashed yet, even more dangerous than Nuclear Weapons.
I believe that genetic modifications such as this should be allowed. As long as the purpose is to benefit the child’s health, I think it may be a good thing. Personally, I believe it is good to do as little modification as possible, but if the outcome can help the child live better and/or longer, it is an understandable decision. The whole purpose of this science is to help people live better and fix problems that hinder their daily life. With such results, it’s hard not to agree that this may be for the betterment of humanity. From here, the research is only going to grow and find more ways to help people.
I believe that this or any similar genetic modifications should be allowed for humans. I agree with the scientist in the video when he says that parents should not be able to utilize this technology to be able to choose their child’s gender, eye color, hair color, etc. He says this should be banned, and I agree. However, to prevent a child from developing a lethal disease as soon as they are born, this genetic technique should continue to be used. From what I have learned in this unit and from this video, it seems to be a safe way to ensure new babies are not destined to develop and die of a disease they have no control over. It also seems to be a good way to put an end to generational or hereditary diseases.
I have to admit that I am a bit conflicted on my stance regarding this issue. To put it simply, yes, I believe that genetic modifications can and should be used in benefit of human health and wellbeing. However there needs to be a ton of stipulations in place before that happens, and as of today, I don’t feel like we have anything sufficient in place.
For starters, I do not believe that you can truly get informed consent from all parties involved. This is such a new technological advancement, and although one could make an argument for the positives at present, there is still a risk of unintended consequences or unforeseen side effects that may manifest in future generations from using such technology. Because these families couldn’t possibly be told of all of the potential risks involved, they can never be truly informed, which is ethically wrong.
Ignoring the issue of informed consent, I fear that genetic editing is a slippery slope that could lead to a more modern form of eugenics. As well-intentioned as these genetic modifications may be, it could lead to more controversial or ethically problematic interventions. Deciding which traits are worth modifying and where to draw the line becomes a complex ethical challenge. How can we define what is truly a beneficial or harmful trait? Where is the baseline for quality of life? Sure, it’s easy to argue that eliminating the HIV virus was beneficial, but what about things like neurodevelopmental disorders (ex. autism/down syndrome), auditory/visual impairments, allergies, or learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia)? I mean, one can even argue that certain complexions are more advantageous/disadvantageous (ex. fair skinned people with light eyes or hair are more prone to skin cancer). Where do you draw the line? Who makes that call? Plus, with each generation, these genetic modifications will eventually lead to the increasing risk of perpetuating societal biases as well as a reduction in the natural diversity of the human population. Overall embracing and respecting the natural diversity of human traits, abilities, and characteristics is an important ethical consideration.
Finally, like with many other aspects of human healthcare, I believe would need to be considered is the accessibility of this technology. As unlikely as it seems, if we were able to decide what traits should be passed on/extinguished in regard to future generations, then how would we go about ensuring that those of all social classes had equal opportunity/access to this technology? If a trait was as beneficial/harmful as we say it is, then everyone should have the capability to edit said trait, regardless of money or insurance.
Overall, while the potential of genetic editing technology is undeniable, I think this kind of technology is too new with not enough guidelines in place for myself to be able to give a black and white opinion on whether or not it should be used regularly on the human population.
I think this type of genetic modification should be allowed and available for people. Especially if it helps people live a healthy and long life. If there are no negatives or very little negatives I don’t see why people would want to make it unavailable. For the people that want it, they should be able to have it especially in cases like these.
Yes, if genetic modification is being used for a positive reason like preventing kids from being infected with HIV is a great idea. I believe that the use of science like genetic modification for the purpose of removing a potential life altering disease is a great idea, but that is if genetic modification is used for the right reasons. For example, if individuals started using genetic modification for simple issues like they want their kid to have different phenotypes or for reasons that are not to save a child then I would say no. The reason I would say no is because if it starts being used as a regular thing to do then the variety in society will decrease drastically as well as it will start making the medical field a ton of money that could be used for other more important things. So, I think that it is a great idea to use genetic modification if it is being used to help babies resist a potential disease that can be passed down generationally.
Yes, I think they should be used as long as their is enough research and under the right circumstances. If there is circumstantial evidence that it will work and that doing it could save someone’s life or protect their life in the future from something then yes I believe it should be used.
These types of genetic modifications should be allowed in humans, but only to an extent. As humans, we are innately selfish meaning that we are likely to take this small success to an extreme. I think there needs to be more testing as well as strict guidelines and rules when moving forward with this type of stuff. This is simply for the fact that things that can be used for good, also have the capabilities to be used for bad.
Yes, I think health-related treatments such as this should be allowed. If a baby is born sick, people are obviously going to provide treatment, so I don’t see anything wrong with preventing the illness in the first place. Additionally, early treatment can only be beneficial in the long run as it would prevent diseases from persisting into future generations. Again, as long as these modifications are only health-related, with nothing to do with physical features, I do not see a moral issue with it.
I do believe that genetic modification should be allowed for humans, but I believe that we should focus on not creating “designer babies”. Attributes like eye, hair, and skin color should not be factors that can be genetically modified. However, I do believe that humans can benefit greatly from modifying their genomes to be resistant to genetic diseases. This will allow people that have life-altering or even life-ending diseases to have an equal opportunity to enjoy the full extent of their life. I view the removal of genetic diseases via genetic modification similarly to the removal of viral infections via vaccines. It may be seen as an “unnatural” solution, but the extension and quality of life these procedures can impose is very valuable.
Yes, I think that gene modification should be allowed as long as it has been throughly researched and proven to be safe. I think it’s important to follow that family line for a few generations to truly understand the outcomes and ensure the safety of using CRISPR in that way before widespread use is acceptable. But ultimately if it allows someone to live a healthy life that they wouldn’t have had otherwise and it is not harmful, then why not?
Yes, I think it should be allowed if it can eliminate or reduce the risk of certain genetic diseases why not. At the same time, I do believe that it should not extend beyond health issue. before starting the modification, its important to study and research to make sure there won’t be any unexpected problems.
Yes, I think that genetic modifications should be made to embryos to avoid lifelong issues. Being able to use genetic modifications to avoid an offspring having HIV is great and should be used for other life altering/life threatening diseases such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell. A lot of people may disagree with this type of science due to it being “unnatural” however, being able to prevent someone suffering and having a short lifespan is amazing and I totally support it. This would help eradicate those diseases.
Yes, genetic modifications should be allowed for humans. This technology would be extremely beneficial in allowing families and newly born children to avoid suffering a genetic disease. It would also prevent these diseases from being passed down to later generations. As long as there are firm and thorough regulations in place, genetic modification will be a tool that will benefit the human race in ways we haven’t seen before.
I do believe that these genetic modifications should be allowed. That is, if the sole purpose is to prolong and aid in the health of children. If a child is born with a disease/illness then treatment will almost always occur, so if you are able to prevent a disease/illness to begin with, why not? However, if it was my child I would want examples and proof of success stories and rates. If it is a new treatment I probably wouldn’t be okay with it since it does take awhile to modify to perfection. I do not see a moral issue with it, as long as it does not go outside of the prevention of sickness realm.
Yes, I do believe that we should allow genetic modification but with high regulations. Having access to something like this would allow us to prevent certain diseases or viruses or control the spread of them. I also feel like people would neglect the option of genetic modification and design their children to look a certain way. Having this as an option would take away the idea of someone having their genetics. Instead, they were designed in the lab to look that way and be immune to different things.