Editing the genomes of embryos: the opinion of liberals
Scientists urge to allow genetic modification of embryos
The international Consortium on Stem Cells, Ethics and Law Hinxton Group said that the ability to make changes to the genetic code at an early stage of embryo development is "extremely important" for the development of science.
Hinxton Group said in a statement that although at the moment no one will allow such genetically modified embryos to be carried out before the due date, in the future, maybe it will be morally acceptable under certain conditions.
The Hinxton Group meeting was held against the background of phenomenal progress in the field of genetics.
Among other things, a procedure has recently been developed that combines the so-called "molecular navigation system", which allows you to reach a specific place in DNA, with "molecular scissors" that can cut off this segment of DNA.
This procedure has completely transformed research in the field of genetics, but it also means that the possibility of genetically modifying human embryos ceases to be theoretical.
Time for solutionsThis year, a group of researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in China demonstrated that by genetically altering the embryo, it is possible to prevent the development of beta–thalassemia, a blood disease that is inherited.
(In fact, this first pancake turned out to be a lump, but further research will most likely allow us to develop a reliable and safe method of getting rid of severe hereditary diseases – VM.)
In the future, such procedures may lead to the fact that children will no longer be born with cystic fibrosis or with genes that increase the risk of cancer.
Calls to establish a moratorium or ban research in the field of genetic modification of human embryos have been heard for a long time. But it is not yet clear what exactly we are talking about – should any embryo research be banned, or is it permissible only within the framework of scientific research? Some even suggest allowing the creation of genetically modified children.
The participants of the Hinxton Group conference held in Manchester came to the conclusion that the pace of development of this field of science is so high that it's time to make decisions on this issue. From the point of view of Hinxton Group, modification of embryos should be allowed.
"We believe that this technology is extremely important for basic research, and also has huge potential. However, at the moment this technology is not sufficiently developed for editing the human genome," the group said in a statement.
This position is in sharp contrast to the point of view of the US National Institutes of Health, which already refuses to fund any research in the field of embryo genome editing.
Dr. Francis Collins, the head of this organization, says that "the concept of making changes to the germ line [inherited DNA] for clinical purposes has been discussed for many years from different points of view, and almost everyone comes to the conclusion that this line cannot be crossed."
Ethics and moralityThe text of the Hinxton Group report states that "a morally acceptable use of this technology in relation to human reproduction can be found, but this must be preceded by substantial debate."
Nevertheless, many are convinced that the modification of the genome, which can lead to changes in the DNA of the next generations, goes against the principles of ethics and morality.
Dr. Peter Mills, of the British Nuffield Council for Bioethics, says that "these issues did not arise on the horizon yesterday, but now we have to decide whether to open the door to them when they reach our doorstep."
Research in the field of genetic therapy of adults and children continues.
With the help of gene therapy, scientists have managed to achieve some progress in the treatment of children born without an immune system (the so-called bubble boy syndrome). The symptoms of these patients improved significantly, but in some cases they developed cancer.
The possibility of manipulating the DNA of people infected with HIV is being considered so that they develop immunity to this virus.
Since these changes in DNA are not transmitted from one generation to another, they do not cause such a heated debate among scientists and in society as a whole.
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10.09.2015