Human Genome Should NOT Be Altered
Human Genome Should NOT Be Altered
Since the entire human sequence was only recently discovered, scientists are still far away from having a robust, safe and effective protocol for gene-editing. Science does not take a few hours or days, it needs years to develop these safe protocols, and determine if there are long term effects of gene-editing. Scientists must be cautious, because once you have made a genomic alteration, there is no taking it back. The consequences are incalculable and could be severely damaging – not only to the individual but to the species as a whole. The strictest guidelines are required. The best guideline would be to ban all so-called human gene editing, at least until such time as the potential harms have been thoroughly investigated.
Modifying the human genome will lead to designer babies genetically engineered to be healthier, cleverer or more beautiful than they would otherwise be. Should this science be successful and permitted, technology would only be available to the super-wealthy, potentially creating the kind of divided society often displayed in popular movies or television shows as a monoculture effect. If gene-editing occurs within populations of humans over several generation, this gene-edited pool of humans will have similar genes, therefore, similar looks, characteristics, looks etc. This decreases the amount of diversity amongst the human race and goes against Charles Darwin’s natural selection theory. It also increase the risk of disease, as similar genes are present in all populations.
Sources:
"CRISPR Controversy." The Translational Scientist. N.p., 13 Apr. 2017. Web. 18 June 2017.
Cocokoreena. YouTube. YouTube, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 18 June 2017.
Genetically modifying the human genome has been a dream and a nightmare for scientists, ever since it’s completion in 2003. Some argue this ‘Big Biology’ breakthrough is the start of improvements in human genetic diseases and cancers, but some may say otherwise. The genome should be kept the way it was made, for several reasons:
Since the entire human sequence was only recently discovered, scientists are still far away from having a robust, safe and effective protocol for gene-editing. Science does not take a few hours or days, it needs years to develop these safe protocols, and determine if there are long term effects of gene-editing. Scientists must be cautious, because once you have made a genomic alteration, there is no taking it back. The consequences are incalculable and could be severely damaging – not only to the individual but to the species as a whole. The strictest guidelines are required. The best guideline would be to ban all so-called human gene editing, at least until such time as the potential harms have been thoroughly investigated.
Modifying the human genome will lead to designer babies genetically engineered to be healthier, cleverer or more beautiful than they would otherwise be. Should this science be successful and permitted, technology would only be available to the super-wealthy, potentially creating the kind of divided society often displayed in popular movies or television shows as a monoculture effect. If gene-editing occurs within populations of humans over several generation, this gene-edited pool of humans will have similar genes, therefore, similar looks, characteristics, looks etc. This decreases the amount of diversity amongst the human race and goes against Charles Darwin’s natural selection theory. It also increase the risk of disease, as similar genes are present in all populations.
Also, the Earth’s population of humans will drastically increase if genetic diseases are being prevented with altering of the human genome. With less babies being born with hereditary diseases, less people are dying, and less people will inherit this gene to their children. This has several serious consequences for the Earth itself, it’s resources, the ozone layer, water and food supplies etc. Some death may be healthy for a community.
To conclude, the human genome should be kept the way it is. Humans are born with a very unique sequencing, and altering it may cause long term effects, that might still be unknown. Having a gene-altered population can make humans more prone to disease, and a gene-edited future will mean an increased population on Earth. All these conditions are unfavoured, and therefore, the human genome should be kept the way it is. Genetic variation is not necessarily a bad thing, in terms of Charles Darwin!
Sources:
"CRISPR Controversy." The Translational Scientist. N.p., 13 Apr. 2017. Web. 18 June 2017.
Cocokoreena. YouTube. YouTube, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 18 June 2017.
Hey Maud, you have some fantastic points for not wanting to edit the human genome and I would like to make a few comments on how I view this situation. I believe that editing the human genome so that one may be healthy is the way to go. Medicine is undergoing some immense advances and introducing a genetic makeover for one with a genetic disease should be the right way to go. You stated, "The best guideline is to ban all so-called human gene editing, at least until such time as the potential harms have been thoroughly investigated." I believe that if we don't explore the possibilities with humans than it will be hard to advance such a science. Now, this doesn't mean researching on embryos or adults where the risk is high, but maybe samples of human DNA (skin, hair, etc.) or cancer cells from humans. These samples can then help researchers maybe find a way to reverse the mutation of a human cancer cell and/or cure the disease in general. I'd just like to thank you for sharing your opinion and I hope that you can accept mine.
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