Contentious Ethical Concerns in Genome Editing
One of the contentious ethical concerns facing modern civilization is covered in the essay. Genome editing is a cutting-edge molecular biology approach that may be used to treat numerous genetic disorders and play a significant part in the genetic modification of many organisms. In the paper, a study scientist named Dr. Niakan Kathy was given approval to use genome editing to look for any types of harmful genes in embryos that were 14 days old (Siddique). Women were not to have these embryos implanted. The CRISP-CAS9 system is used in genome editing, which enables the identification, silence, and elimination of defective genes in the genome. Dr. Niakan Kathy works is geared towards understanding why some women lose their babies during the early stages of pregnancy. Although this is considered as a key revolutionary step in the use of genetically modified embryos, several institutions have raised their concerns about the use of the above methods and their effects in passing deleterious genes in the future generation. Furthermore, there are key ethical concerns that have not been addressed by the regulatory body that allowed the research scientists to conduct the study.
Collection of Information and Views
The above article was written by Haroon Siddique in 2016. The author of the article collected information from different sources to provide various insights on the above issues. Information was collected from Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the body mandated to provide permission for the above research study. The body also outlined the specific limits in which the study was to be carried out such as the sample to be used. Different views from several institutes and organizations were also collected including British scientists and Francis Crick Institute as well as other players in genome editing fields. In essence, different views were collected from various organizations and incorporated into the article irrespective of their position on the above experiment.
Biased Towards Genome Editing
The article is mostly biased towards favoring the use of genome editing tools in various processes. First, the number of resources arguing for the use of genome editing in the embryo debate is higher compared to the opposing view. In addition, the author supports the notion that the use of the above tools would assist in the treatment of various diseases such as Sickle cell anemia and Muscular Dystrophy. Although the author seems not to provide directly claims on the benefits of the above process, the author quotes various sources in support of the use of genome editing in addressing views on genetic modification.
Counterarguments and Controversies
Several counterarguments have been provided explaining the adverse effects of genome editing, especially in embryo research. The greatest concerns come from scientists in the same field who claim genome editing could have deleterious effects on the future generation. The genetic changes that are made by the above system directly target specific genes which are passed to the next generation (Siddique). Any mistake in the first process could harm an entire generation. The second major issue is founded on ethical concerns, especially on research carried out in embryos. These two aspects make the above topic controversial regardless of the various medical benefits. Personally, I believe the use of genome editing tools should be allowed as they provide an elaborate method used in the treatment and management of various diseases that have in the past affected the populace. Ideally, it provides for a preventive method rather than a curative method.
Work Cited
Siddique, Haroon. “British Researchers Get Green Light To Genetically Modify Human Embryos”. The Guardian, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/feb/01/human-embryo-genetic-modify regulator-green-light-research.
