Ethical challenges in using emerging genetic therapies

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What are the ethical challenges in using emerging genetic therapies?
I think the ethical challenges around genetic therapies mainly involve fairness and safety. There’s concern about who gets access.

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Mainly discrimination.
Fairness.
Less tolerance to the disabled individuals.

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  1. Equity and Access
  2. Long-term safety
  3. Consent and Understanding
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Ethical challenges in emerging genetic therapy include:

  • these are only available to the wealthy
  • they can have off target effects potentially causing harm that may not appear for years
  • they involve highly technical procedures thus the patients may not truly understand the risks during a clinical trial
  • different countries have different regulations thus some practices allowed somewhere may be banned elsewhere
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Ethical challenges in using emerging genetic therapies includes :

  1. Access and Equity: Limited access due to high costs, exacerbating health disparities.
  2. Germline Editing: Concerns about long-term side effects, unintended consequences, and non-therapeutic uses.
  3. Safety: Risks of off-target effects and mosaicism raise concerns about safety.
  4. Informed Consent: Challenges in obtaining consent for germline therapy, particularly for future generations.
  5. Regulation: Inconsistent regulations across countries may lead to objectionable uses.
  6. Social Implications: Potential for reduced acceptance of individuals with genetic disorders or disabilities.
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I’ve actually written a article on this I’ll start by explaining the questions I’ve resolved and encountered so far

  1. Who Gets It?
    These treatments are expensive, so there’s worry they’ll only be available to the rich, leaving others behind

  2. Is It Safe in the Long Run?
    We don’t yet know all the long-term effects—what helps today could harm tomorrow

  3. Do People Really Understand It?
    Genetic therapy is complex. Patients need to truly understand what they’re agreeing to, which can be tough

  4. What About Future Generations?
    Some gene changes can be passed on to children. Is it fair to make choices that affect people who aren’t even born yet?

  5. Could It Be Used Against Me?
    There’s a risk that genetic info could be misused—for example, by insurers or employers

  6. Fixing Disease or Boosting Traits?
    It’s one thing to cure illness. But using genetics to enhance intelligence or looks? That’s a slippery slope

  7. Does It Fit with People’s Beliefs?
    Not everyone sees gene editing the same way—religious and cultural values matter too

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Some Ethical challenges are :-

  1. Cost … Gene therapies are usually very limited and expensive.

  2. Not readily available

  3. Effects like unintentional genetic mutations

  4. Cultural and religious opposition

  5. Not many effective policies by the authorities

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These therapies will act as
Double edged sword for us in future