Saint John’s Preparatory School Student Work

Document Type

Paper

Publication Date

10-31-2024

Advisor

Kelly Fitch and Sarah Pasela

Abstract

When He Jiankui announced the births of twins Lulu and Nana, the first genome-edited babies, the scientific community responded in an uproar, raising questions about the implications of human germline genome editing (GGE). This paper examines the intricate medical, ethical, and social aspects of Jiankui's experiment. Advocates argue that GGE could eradicate genetic disorders and enhance disease resistance, particularly targeting diseases like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9. However, critics emphasize ethical concerns relating to the potential for eugenics, unintended genetic consequences, and the autonomy of future generations. Off-target mutations could lead to permanent problems, as modifications made to an embryo may be inherited by future descendants. Additionally, the socio-economic divide caused by unequal access to genetic technologies presents concerns about magnifying existing inequalities. Ultimately, this analysis seeks to understand and answer the question: To what extent might human germline genome editing—considering He Jiankui's experiment—challenge medical implications, ethical dilemmas, and social dynamics regarding genetic modification?

Download

Share

COinS