Gene Editing: Cure or Controversy?

General
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With the revolution of modern medicine, Genetic Engineering has also evolved. Now, through genetic engineering, many disorders can be cured, such as sickle cell disorder, cystic fibrosis, and even many types of cancer. The field has involved even more after innovating CRISPR-Cas9.

CRISPR-Cas9 is an efficient gene-editing technology adapted from a natural bacterial immune system. It uses a guide RNA to direct the Cas9 enzymes to a specific DNA sequence, creating double stranded break.

Medical Ethics :

1. Germline editing and consent.

It is one of the most debated issues in germline editing, where an edited gene can be passed on to future generations. Whereas the somatic editing only affects one individual, germline editing impacts the unborn individuals who cannot provide consent.

2. “ Designer Babies.”

Gene editing opens the possibilities of enhancing the traits of the unborn baby, such as height, intelligence, and even physical appearance. It raises fear among society, as only wealthy individuals will be able to afford such technology.

3. Safety

Despite being called precise, it is not entirely safe. An unintended change in DNA can create a new disease or complications. The long term safety of gene editing is still not confirmed. One mistake, a family or even a larger population can suffer the unknown side effects of gene editing.

4. Misuse

In the absence of uniform global and strict regulation, the technology can be heavily misused. The case of He Jiankui, who is known for his controversial first use of gene editing in humans in 2018 by creating the first genetically edited human babies, twin girls (Lulu and Nana), who were modified with HIV resistance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Jiankui

While gene editing is revolutionary and has great potential in treating diseases, it may also have very complex ethical and legal issues. We still have very little idea regarding the side effects of the technology and how people will adopt it. Tailoring an unborn child to change character, intelligence, or even appearance might create a huge hoax among common people. It can be converted into a new trend leading in generation of “genetically modified/ edited babies”.

Genetic editing
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Do you think gene editing can create more harm than benefits?

MBH/PS

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Both outcomes are possible. If promoted through proper regulations may be we can expect the best.

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Like every technology, gene editing also comes with a flip side. But when used under proper regulations, it is going to benefit people with genetic conditions where cure is cumbersome or even impossible.

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Thought-provoking topic—nicely balances the medical potential of gene editing with its ethical concerns, especially around consent and long-term safety.

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Gene editing has great potentials, but it also comes with risks. Whether it causes more harm than benefits - depends on how carefully it used and how strong regulation are.

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Gene editing will have an ample of benefits and also be harmful but if stricter laws are made to prevent its misuse it’s negative aspects can be avoided.

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This is a very well-written and thought-provoking overview of genetic engineering and its ethical challenges.

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True, but proper and strict regulation is required.

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That’s true, to promote it properly, strict regulation is needed.

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I’m glad you liked it.

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That’s very true.

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Exactly, but we do require making very strict regulations to avoid misuse.

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Thank you

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This is a very powerful tool . It all depends on how responsibly it is used.

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True

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Proper guidelines and regulations are required to prevent misuse of technology.

Crisper can be helpful in many medical applications.

It can be possibly helpful in dental health also for tooth regeneration, tooth decay and oral cancer of use nicely.

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That’s right it can be a game changer. We just need to monitor its usage, strictly

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Yes i totally agree that gene editing can cause more harm!:+1:

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It can have both benefits and risks. When the risk is more than the benefits, stricter regulations and utilizing gene editing carefully will help reducing the potential risks.

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Exactly