Parents may soon be able to edit their babies' genes before they are born, altering their DNA in ways that affect their health and enhance their feelings, strength, or even intelligence.
Over the years, DNA correction in humans has raised serious ethical questions, both in the scientific community and in the public. What's more, a 2016 Pew Research survey found that 50% of Americans would not want their children's genes to be tweaked.
While the technology for gene correction is considered promising, problems with its technique, application and results are holding scientists back from exploring its full potential. However, this could change in the near future - at least in the UK. The main bioethics organization in the United Kingdom said it was ethical to alter DNA in infants.
Originally, technology related to the improvement or alteration of human DNA was developed to treat disease by removing defective parts of genes. This is a breakthrough medical innovation that has the potential to eliminate life-threatening illnesses not only in adults but also in unborn children. This gene correction could allow scientists to tailor the traits of an unborn child, something many scientists and religious groups oppose.
However, a report published by the Nuffield Bioethics Council (an independent organization that evaluates many ethical issues in biology and medicine) argues that human embryos may eventually change for acceptable reasons. This means that under certain circumstances, such a procedure can be ethically acceptable even if it is not about eliminating diseases.
The council argues that adjusting the human genome to match the characteristics of future children can now be a "real and clear opportunity."
“The central question that this Report deals with is whether such interventions would be ethically acceptable. - the council writes in its report. - We have concluded that such interventions to influence the characteristics of future generations can be ethically acceptable, provided that and only if two principles are observed: first, that such interventions are aimed at protecting and are consistent with the well-being of the individual who is the result can be born, and second, that any such interventions will be consistent with the principles of social justice and solidarity - that is, that such interventions should not produce or exacerbate social division, or marginalize or harm social groups."
Today, many researchers are convinced that they will be able to circumvent the accuracy problems associated with gene correction, and that one day successful modification of human DNA will become a reality. What's more, scientists at the University of Alberta conducted a study in which they showed how they can improve the accuracy of CRISPR / Cas9.
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The Ethics Council also stated that there is a need to define ethical boundaries for correcting the DNA of children or adults. The authors concluded that human embryo correction "can only be ethically acceptable if it is carried out in accordance with the principles of social justice and solidarity."
Vladimir Guillen