Sunday, April 27, 2025

Should We Edit Genes?

 Imagine being able to choose your future child's traits, like eye color, height, or even intelligence. With gene-editing tools such as CRISPR, this concept of "designer babies" is edging closer to reality. Scientists have already used CRISPR to edit genes in human embryos to correct mutations that cause diseases like heart conditions. This however comes with its own controversies. In 2018, a Chinese scientist claimed to have created the first gene-edited babies, leading to global ethical debates and his subsequent imprisonment. Critics argue that editing human embryos could lead to unintended consequences and widen social inequalities. As we stand on the edge of this genetic frontier, society must grapple with the extreme question: just because we can edit human genes, does it mean we should? 



My Opinion: This advancement should be something we tread lightly on. Yes, it can help with conditions like heart disease in the future and can help people have a fair shot at life. As we all know though, people like to take advantage of things that can help society. This can also get in the way of people's belief and that God made you the way you are for a reason. 

Sources: In Embryos, Crispr Can Cut Out Whole Chromosomes—That's Bad | WIRED

The ethical red flags of genetically edited babies




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2 comments:

  1. Madalyn FrischApril 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM

    I completely agree that we need to tread very carefully when it comes to human gene editing. The potential to cure genetic diseases is promising, but the risks and consequences are too severe to ignore. Once we start editing traits beyond health concerns, it opens the door to mysteries. We still don't fully understand the long-term effects these edits could have on future generations. Society must move forward cautiously and responsibly.

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  2. Braun AdubatoApril 29, 2025 at 11:05 PM

    Although I believe gene editing is a very powerful thing for disease prevention, I think it is also a sort of pandora's box similar to how AI has been recently. Once hospitals gain the ability to edit babies it will open up a more accessible black market for cosmetic procedures that will spark debate and might actively hard gene-editing sciences on moral grounds.

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