Gene Editing in Humans Introduction

Gene editing involves making specific changes in the DNA sequence of human beings or
the genome of other living organisms. Essentially, gene editing is performed using genetically-
engineered enzymes, such as nucleases (Center for Genetics and Society, 2022). The engineered
nucleases are introduced into the body to replace the removed DNA. CRISPR is the technology
that scientists often leverage to edit genes and introduce better genetic traits to humans. Although
gene editing is gaining popularity and improving human characteristics, evidence suggests that
the process disproportionately affects low-income earners and impoverished individuals. This
paper discusses the ethical dilemmas associated with gene editing and the best ways to curb
them.

Ethical Dilemmas

A critical examination of gene editing indicates that the practice is clouded with
numerous ethical dilemmas. One of the ethical dilemmas is safety issues, which may put the
lives of patients and genetic engineers at risk. Due to the likelihood of off-target effects and
mosaicism, safety is one of the principal concerns of gene editing. Researchers assert that until
gene editing is considered safe, it should not be used for clinical reproduction (National Human
Genome Research Institute, 2017). It is the responsibility of the genetic engineers to adhere to all
the safety practices to ensure that their operations do not cause harm to patients and other
individuals in the facility or laboratories gene editing are taking place. According to the principle
of non-maleficence, genetic engineers and professionals should strive to avoid causing harm to
patients at all costs, which mosaicism violates.

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The other ethical dilemma associated with gene editing is justice and equity. Individuals
have raised concerns that gene editing is an expensive technology requiring substantial
exorbitant resources to establish and equally significant fees to access. With the huge costs
involved, the services offered by genetic professionals are likely to be expensive, making it
difficult for low-income populations to access the services (National Human Genome Research
Institute, 2017). Gene editing widens the existing disparities in access to healthcare services as it
promotes inequality based on economic status and social strata. Wealthy individuals are more
likely to access the services because they can easily foot the high bills. At the same time, the
socio-economically disadvantaged populations cannot access the services due to a lack of
monetary resources.
Additionally, there is an ethical concern about using embryos to research gene editing.
Most researchers, religious groups, and human rights advocates have expressed their moral
objections and concerns about using human embryos for research. Most of these opponents,
especially Christians, believe that it is immoral and inhuman for the federal government to fund
gene editing because it involves destroying embryos (National Human Genome Research
Institute, 2017). However, proponents of gene editing believe harvesting non-viable embryos to
improve the quality of human life is a more moral course than destroying search embryos.

Recommendations for Addressing the Ethical Concerns

The problem of the safety of gene editing can be resolved in numerous ways. One such
way is by implementing stringent safety procedures and regulations that genetic engineers must
observe to reduce potential medical errors (Greely, 2019). Additionally, governments can
increase funding toward advanced technology used in gene editing to help the genetic engineers
purchase efficient equipment to minimize errors that can cause harm to both patients and staff.

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The second ethical concern, justice & equity, can be resolved by increasing resources
dedicated to subsidizing treatment costs. The government can provide financial assistance and
subsidies to disenfranchised or low-income populations who genuinely need genetic editing
services but lack the financial power to access them. Also, wealthy investors and donors who
believe in the gene-editing program can increase funding to the initiative, which will likely
subsidize the costs of administering treatment and access to gene technologies (Greely, 2019). It
is vital to acknowledge that donors often support initiatives that improve the quality of life to
make the services accessible to the low-income population.
Finally, regarding immorality and inhumanity issues linked with using human embryos, a
process that requires terminating them, genetic engineers can find better specimens for the
process. Through the assistance of the government, genetic engineers can engage in extensive
and intensive research to identify non-viable embryos and embryos that their mothers are willing
to terminate. In this case, the argument would be that harvesting the embryos for genetic research
and the overall benefit of humanity is a much better course than terminating them. It is vital for
the government as a stakeholder to increase funding for gene editing because it can improve the
quality of human life and reduce disease incidence and mortalities.

Conclusion

The study of gene editing is essential in the 21 st century because it makes it possible to
improve the quality of life of human beings. The only problem associated with gene editing is
the associated ethical dilemmas, which need to be addressed swiftly. One of the ethical issues is
justice and equity. This concern arises because only wealthy individuals can access the services,
widening the existing disparities in the healthcare sector. Safety is another major issue in gene
editing as it puts the lives of patients and health professionals at risk. It is vital to acknowledge

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that the ethical dilemmas associated with gene editing can be resolved with the help of
stakeholders, such as the government and policymakers. The government, for instance, can
increase funding toward gene editing to help in the purchase of better equipment, which can
minimize medical errors. Also, more research should be conducted about gene editing to
improve its ability to save more lives while keeping patients and staff safe.

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References

Greely, H. T. (2019). CRISPR’d babies: human germline genome editing in the ‘He Jiankui
affair.’ Journal of Law and the Biosciences, 6(1), 111-183.
National Human Genome Research Institute (2017). What are the ethical concerns of genome
editing? https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/Genome-
Editing/ethical-concerns
Center for Genetics and Society. (2022). What is Human Gene Editing? (2022). Project of the
Tides Center. https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/internal-content/what-human-gene-
editing