Gene Editing -Johnathon Simmons

12/7/2020

In a world full of advancing technologies, almost all would say that we don't have any other choice but to let it keep advancing. Out of all technologies, one stands out as being something right out of a Syfy movie; gene editing. Gene editing allows researchers to change someone's or something's genetic makeup in order to produce more desirable traits. Being a relatively new technology, there hasn't been many established rules on how it should or should not be used. One research group in China successfully changed the genetic makeup of a pair of twins while they were fetuses. The scientists behind that project now claim that one of those children is now immune to the AIDS virus. Theries of curing disease, preventing birth defects, and even making the "perfect child" have been discussed. With this new technology that could soon become available to everyday citizens, maybe some more than others, the question must be asked, is it ethical to use this technology on unborn children with no voice of their own? If so, to what extent is it still okay?

Will

12/8/2020 10:16:49 pm

Gene editing is not an ethical course of action for humanity, however the opportunities it possesses are irresistible and will override any form of doubt. The implication of this new technology holds the potential to advance both physical and cerebral features of the human body. Giving upcoming generations the ability to become a more improved version of their natural self and in doing so make a positive impact on the world as we currently know it. With that, the demand associated with this new technology can just as easily be flipped into an unstoppable disaster. If ever put into effect, the enforcement of rigorous laws must be established to protect the children undergoing these altercations and gene editing itself. The world is in dire need of change and I believe gene editing in children is the sacrificial solution to many of our unsolved problems.

Johnathon Simmons

12/13/2020 01:45:28 pm

Should we try longer on other solutions as long as we see any positive outcomes before we jump into something as drastic as gene editing? Further, is now the necessary time to start?

Caden

12/13/2020 06:21:35 pm

Gene editing could possibly solve some problems with genetic diseases, but it can also create many more problems than were there originally. We also don't have the knowledge to consistently make the correct decisons.

Blazen

12/13/2020 03:20:15 pm

Gene editing should continue to be illegal. The baby has no say in whether it would want it or not. With this could bring unintended effects as well as further into the future we don’t know about what could happen. If gene editing were to be legal, it should be for the removal of genetic diseases only. Other than that, it should not be used to make a super human or to change the characteristics of a human. As a parent, you’re also telling your child they weren’t good enough. That wouldn’t make me feel very good if I were that child.

Caden

12/13/2020 06:18:00 pm

Although the immunity to all diseases for all humans seems promising, we do not yet have the ability to safely accomplish it, therefore gene editing must remain illegal.

Aidan

12/13/2020 06:39:25 pm

Oh but abortions are legal so if the baby isn’t being harmed it will inevitably be legalized eventually.

Mackay Williams

12/14/2020 10:24:12 am

I do not believe we would be able to regulate gene editing, it’s an all or nothing type situation. There are so many people that would fight the fact that you could take away disease but not add anything to improve their life.

Caden Caywood

12/13/2020 04:16:25 pm

Humanity does not yet have the ability to know all the exact consequences of gene editing. The Chinese scientists attempted to create babies immune to HIV. They succeeded, but with it came unintentional effects of an enhanced brain function, a vulnerability to the West Nile and influenza viruses, and a substantial increase of mortality. In other words, these babies came unknowingly into the world with an immunity to one disease, an accidental brain enhancement, are more likely to contract several diseases, and are most likely going to die early. The Chinese scientists of course viewed this as a scientific breakthrough, and a nearly complete success. While they celebrated the rest of the world saw it for what it truly was: a failure both scientifically and ethically. A worldwide ban on gene editing must be enforced since it has been proven that this ability cannot be handled appropriately.

Johnathon Simmons

12/13/2020 05:54:45 pm

Although immunity to HIV is greatly needed in today's world, as these Chinese scientists have discovered, it comes with unintentional side effects that could be life-altering. This is where we must question the advancement of gene editing and whether or not it is worth it to continue down the path of finding a route that creates immunity to all diseases or if it is worth risking the lives of more babies that would have to be tested on.

Dillon

12/13/2020 07:05:26 pm

There are so many equally harmful diseases or affects caused by gene editing’s attempt to eliminate diseases. It is horribly unethical and should be illegal in all countries. Maybe if further breakthroughs proved it to be harmless it should be considered useful.

Blazen

12/13/2020 07:56:37 pm

To be fair they did find a way to creat immunity to a disease. Yes, it made them much more vulnerable to other diseases but they will be able to build off this to hopefully make it so they can creat immunity without unintended consequences.

Sam

1/24/2021 10:06:19 pm

There are so many unknowns when it comes to tampering with the human body. The intentions behind genetic editing are mostly plausible but ethically speaking, there is no humane way to figure out all of the pros and cons to this new science.

Eli

12/13/2020 06:36:26 pm

While there is no doubt that the world is changing and there are many technological advances to keep up with our society. However, when did our society find it morally acceptable to alter human DNA. It may be used to cure cancer, it may be used to stop Aids, it may be used to stop autism, or it may be used to make sure your kid isn’t a dwarf, but what is so wrong with that. If we start to change things about people who is it to say that not everyone will be the same. Are we going to play our own God and say we can fix everything with CRISPR because history has proven when we try to do that we fail? CRISPR itself is not wrong it can actually according to Rachael Rettner on live science it can cure blindness in adults, so it can be used for good that does not alter our future or our morals. Your option many comes down to if you believe that it is ok to change a child’s life or if you believe that what will happen is what you will figure out in the near future of your child’s life.

Aidan

12/13/2020 06:40:58 pm

I agree with you for once Eli, see I’d rather have a tall kid than a midget. It’d just help my child’s life in all sorts of ways.

Dillon

12/13/2020 07:09:44 pm

Like you say it can be used for good, but it is like we are playing God. There could be many advantages like stopping autism or other illnesses, but it could also be very harmful and have more negative than positive affects.

Aidan

12/13/2020 06:37:27 pm

This the best you could come up with Johnny? Boring. Yeah gene editing on humans is inevitable because why would you want to take the chance of having your child die? I’d rather be guaranteed a baby than not. This will bring quite the strange tension between natural humans and the unnatural but it won’t matter since the A.I will take over before super human problems occur.

Blazen

12/13/2020 07:52:26 pm

Actually super humans are already being worked on in China. It’s possible we see super humans before we do gene editing.

Will

12/13/2020 08:50:35 pm

Do you think in the first stages of gene editing , that the baby may have some defect such as yourself? Or do you think that they will be able to produce super humans on initial testing's?

Mackay Williams

12/14/2020 10:20:35 am

It’s obvious, when someone is going to have the money to make their baby “unnatural” they more than likely will do it. In hopes that their child will have the best life life possible, when in reality they never gave their child a chance to work towards those things that were genetically given to them.

Dillon

12/13/2020 07:04:06 pm

Using gene editing technology on unborn children is extremely unethical and must be illegal. Life altering defects are likely outcomes of failed attempts at editing genes. If the editing was performed on egg or sperm cells, defects would be passed down to future generations causing even more harm. The possibility of ridding people of certain diseases is not worth the risk of completely ruining what would have been a normal life that might have contributed greatly to society had their genes not been edited. If the purpose for gene editing was aimed at creating a better human or superhuman, this would demoralize the child that had their genes edited. They would feel as if they weren’t good enough and their parents would only love them if they were superior to non genetically edited humans. If gene editing had no chance of harming someone it should be used for the sole purpose of preventing disease. Until then, it must remain illegal.

Will

12/13/2020 08:55:43 pm

Illegal is an impossible statement to ratify when discussing gene editing, for as hundreds of companies and countries are simultaneously developing their knowledge on this subject, in hopes to one day apply their learned skill. To outlaw it world wide would be unattainable, for everyone has different policies on gene editing.

Mackay Williams

12/14/2020 10:17:45 am

Parents looking to genetically alter their children, find out prior to the birth that, their child will be diagnosed with a disease or disability. Often times thinking genetic change will benefit the child’s future and “popularity” in school. Yet, many researchers have found that yes, through high school teens with disabilities are highly bullied. But after high school or during, these children come to love who they are and wouldn’t wish to change a thing about themselves. If parents were to genetically alter their child’s life, the child would never be given the opportunity to grow as a their own person.

Sam

1/24/2021 10:01:12 pm

Gene editing does almost take away the uniqueness of an individual. If someone genetic make up is altered at an early stage in their life, we would never get to see who that person truly is.

Sam

1/24/2021 09:59:23 pm

As we venture further into the world of tampering with DNA, we must consider what the future of these unborn fetuses could be. With the little evidence we have now, scientists already know that the negative outcomes could greatly outweigh the positives. Some of these outcomes might be genetically altering humans to the point of no return and when looking at it from an embryonic stance, forever manipulating the future of the bloodline. With this in mind, we also have to consider the overall benefits of gene editing in general. Are we doing this for the betterment of humanity or is it becoming an individualistic approach to producing the perfect child? There is still much research to be done before any conclusions can be drawn, but the overall intent of testing this invasive technology should not be used on unborn babies.

Gene Editing -Johnathon Simmons

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