Genetically Modified Embryos Taking Science Too Far?

          Is science leading towards genetically modified babies? Kathy Niakan, a stem cell researcher of the Francis Crick Institute in the United Kingdom, recently applied to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for a license to allow her team to genetically modify human embryos. Under the licensure, Niakan would legally need to terminate the embryo after 14 days. The United States is currently prohibits genetic modification of humans embryos. Niakan and her team intend to research gene editing to discover the cause of repeated miscarriages in some women. Similar gene-editing techniques were used earlier this year in China.

         The editing of the human genome has been debated internationally. Niakan says "It is up to society to decide what is acceptable; science will merely inform what may be possible." The United States, however, stands firmly planted against the modification of human embryo DNA, following the precedent of the Dickey-Wicker Amendment (1995) which "prohibits the use of appropriated funds...for research in which human embryos are destroyed". Approval for Niakan's licensure is still being contemplated.

          Although I believe the advancement of science is very important, this type of advancement worries me. Although the embryos are to be destroyed in 14 days, I think that the modification of human embryos is going to "open a can of worms", for lack of a better phrase. Although it begins with good intentions, there is no saying that someone can get hold of the gene-editing techniques and use it for negative purposes. I'm interested to see if Niakan's licensure is approved, although I'm not sure how I feel about this type of research. It seems like science like this is leading us more and more to a dystopian society seen in so many books from years past.