In the interests of the child
Genetic modification of human embryos has become a little more legitimate
Alexandra "Renoire" Alekseeva, XX2 century
A report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, an independent organization that sets the tone in this area, reports that changes to the DNA of a human embryo can be ethically justified if their introduction follows the interests of the child.
This position is a cautious step towards genetic modifications of human embryos. Until now, the scientific community has been dominated by the anti–modification lobby - it was believed that genetic engineering, if applied to people, could lead to further polarization of society. Scientists from the Nuffield Council, which released the report, believe that all possible means should be used to ensure that genetic changes in embryos will not lead to an increase in inequality, but a complete ban on changing the DNA of embryos is considered inappropriate.
Changes in DNA sites can help humanity cope with many inherited diseases caused by genes. That is, modifications are not something that should be banned once and for all. It is necessary to carefully look at them and try to understand how to use them without harm and to achieve good goals.
However, technically, scientists are still facing a number of problems. Firstly, it is the imperfection of the most popular technology of genetic modification – CRISPR-CAS9. According to recent studies, its use in the coincidence of certain conditions may be the cause of cancer.
Secondly, genetic modifications of embryos, sperm and eggs can be used to create "designer babies". In other words, technology will allow parents to invest in children the qualities they consider desirable. Such qualities are often culturally conditioned. Since the changes being made are inheritable, if a wide range of the population gets unlimited access to the modification of the fetus, this may affect the future of the human population as a whole. It will also increase social inequality – those who have enough money will be able to modify their children for the better (for example, to make them more psychologically stable), and those who do not have the means will give birth to "imperfect" children, who, by the way, will get sick more often and more seriously than children from a privileged group. That is, biological inequality will be added to economic inequality. Ethics experts warn against such a course of events.
The authors of the above-mentioned report believe that it is necessary to involve as many interested parties as possible in the discussion, then it will be possible to develop the most ethically correct approach to the issue. They call on the UK Government to create a specialized body that would be responsible for the participation of the widest range of parties in the dialogue about what is permissible and what is not.
If the law changes, and making edits to the DNA will be allowed, the ethics of each specific case should be considered separately, the report says.
Opinions about the report are divided – someone sees it as a progressive step aimed at countering genetic diseases, and someone - an attempt to legalize practices that contradict the ethical norms of the scientific and medical community.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru