Should Genetic Engineering in Humans Be Legal? An Analysis of Ethical and Legal Considerations
Overview
This essay examines the legal and ethical questions surrounding human genetic engineering, particularly in light of CRISPR/Cas9 technology advances. It reviews the scientific progress in genetic modification, explores three main approaches to gene transfer, and discusses the clinical applications of viral vectors while considering regulatory frameworks.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to genetic engineering success in plants and potential human applications
- Overview of CRISPR/Cas9 technology and three gene transfer approaches
- Discussion of viral vectors and gene transfer mechanisms in clinical contexts
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Should genetic engineering in humans be legal?
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Should genetic engineering in humans be legal?
Scientists have registered considerable success with genetic engineering, especially in plants. Genetic modification has boosted food security by making plants resistant to particular diseases. In essence, genetic influence health and disease, including human traits and behavior. Scientists have used genetic technology to unravel the genomic contributions of different phenotypes. The objective is to engineer humans to have some desired characteristics genetically. However, the likelihood of human genetic engineering being actualized faces several ethical and legal questions. For a long time, the idea of using genetic engineering techniques to solve humanity’s inherent deficiencies has emerged. With the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, there is a possibility of human genetic modification becoming a reality.
Approaches to gene transfer can be categorized into three, namely: adding a functional gene, rectifying a dysfunctional gene, and altering the expression of a natural gene. The hypothesis establishes that the new functional gene can be translated into a protein to restore a biochemical pathway interrupted in the disease. The outcome is to eliminate or lessen the clinical manifestation. Several gene vectors have been developed over the years and subjected to rigorous studies (Gene Transfer Research). However, much effort has been channeled into developing clinical gene therapy, especially on viral vector systems. In essence, naturally occurring viruses have evolved complex strategies to infect particular target cells while co-opting cellular machinery to show viral genes in a stable and heritable manner.