When I first came across this article, I was intrigued. Not because I am a science student, but as a person who was taken aback solely due to the fact that the scientist bravely let the cat the out of the bag. The scientist, He Jiankui from Southern University of science and technology, China who accomplished this incredible feat sadly is out hiding. The public outrage and condemnation of this feat reminded me of how widely spoken scientific achievement like the GMO was treated. Does this fact make the people think that this achievement is one of a kind? Sadly, no. Science is a drug for the curious souls. Here, CRISPR was the miracle drug for countless genetic disorders and it was like a cherry atop the icing for such enthusiasts. What will happen if you give a kid a new toy? Won’t he be excited to play with it? I feel that there would have been many clandestine experiments that would have been conducted by now.
The scientific Diaspora’s condemnation was inevitable. Of course, the ethics always comes into question. CRISPR gene edited babies carry a lot of risk due to unnecessary off-target edits. Does creation of HIV resistant babies prevent the babies from acquiring HIV?
The billion dollar science industries would face a huge crisis. This finally brings us back to the question. Is science a business?
Even though there’s a major risk factor involved, I believe that withholding this piece of miracle is more unethical. CRISPR has the ability to alter the phase of science in this century. Open conferences discussing human trials should begin as this will help people know what this technology can offer.
When this article came out, I was compelled to watch Gattaca, a 97 film that showcased how genetically edited population are considered a superior race and the others, genetically inferior. Probably if CRISPR does become popular, this world will see the dawn of a new generation of genetically engineered humans sans genetic disorders and higher life expectancy.
Microphile's musings 