Scientists are Now Designing Babies?

It was inevitable that the scientists in the United Kingdom would ask for permission to start to alter human embryos. China has already started doing research to alter human life to reduce a genetic blood disorder. Now it seems to be the United Kingdom's turn, more specifically the Crick Institute in London. The United Kingdom wants to genetically alter human embryos to reduce miscarriages. They would be the first to do it with the nation's approval. The team proposes that they will genetically alter embryos by using a gene-editing tool known as CRISPR/Cas9. This tool allows them to cut and paste DNA within a living cell, much like typing on a Word document. The researcher uses a particular protein to seek out a gene to cut it out of the genome and to substitute it with DNA of their choice. The gene editor will turn on or off individual genes during the early development stages so the team can study the affects those alterations have on embryonic development. 

The team will have to legally destroy the embryos within the 14-day time frame that was written in their application. The troubling part is what happens if they do not destroy the embryos? It could get extremely out of hand with laboratories having the power to "design babies" for any potential purpose. Once science figures out how to alter embryos, who knows if or when scientists will know when to stop? This is especially concerning in research laboratories that are private and not federally funded. Who knows what could be brewing in those laboratories.

Although this next step in science is exciting and could be a great thing. It is life altering, literally. The United States has banned this research for a reason. It is very dangerous for anyone to have this much power, the power to design a human being. It reminds me of when Adolf Hitler was trying to create the master race by reducing the possibilities of those with "weak" genes to reproduce. I think this is a line that once science crosses we cannot come back from it. It is a very controversial topic not only of scientific discovery but also of morals and ethics. In my opinion science is going too far. Improving or healing lives is very different from creating them. 

If you're interested in learning more about the research being conducted, you can find information here!