Essay

INTRODUCTION: The scientific world reacted with shock to the announcement by Chinese genetics scientist He Jiankui that he had rewritten the DNA of twin baby girls Lulu and Nana while still embryos to make them resistant to HIV, the virus that causes Aids. This is the first known case of babies born whose DNA has been modified using the powerful tool of CRISPR. Dr. Jiankui was fired from his university, and now many genetics scientists are calling for “a global moratorium on the use of powerful DNA editing tools to make genetically modified children” according to Ian Sample in his article “Scientists Call for Global Moratorium on Gene Editing of Embryos.”

However, other scientists are not sure that this is the best approach and prefer “to have regulations that bar heritable gene editing until scientific, technical and ethical questions are answered and there is a public consensus to proceed” (Sample). Some scientists are worried that a moratorium would slow down valuable research. In any case, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) director Francis Collins, “Of all the things that science has made possible in the past several decades that would have massive consequences for humanity, this has to be top of the list” (qtd. in Sample).

Prof. Eric Lander of MIT and Harvard adds:

In this case, random bad actors will not ruin the world, the choices that nations make are what’s important … We’re trying to plan the world we’re going to leave for our children. Is it a world where we’re deeply thoughtful about medical applications, and we’re using it in serious cases, or is it a world where we just have rampant commercial competition?” (qtd. in Sample).

ESSAY 3 ASSIGNMENT

SOURCE: “Ethics and the New Genetics” by The Dalai Lama in Emerging

The World Health Organization (WHO) is forming a committee to create guidelines for the editing of human genes. You have been asked to join the committee and to report on The Dalai Lama’s article “Ethics and the New Genetics.” Based on your reading and analysis of The Dalai Lama’s article and your own thinking, make a recommendation to the committee about whether a moratorium is a good idea and, if this research continues, how to manage the risks and potential benefits of CRISPR and other gene editing technologies used in human embryos. Your focus should be on the possible ethical and social repercussions of creating genetically modified babies.

To build your argument, present:

1. The Dalai Lama’s perspective: based on what he has written in his article, imagine how he would respond to the question about whether genetic engineering in human beings should be ethically “off limits” or, if it is approved, what applications it should have or how it should be limited. Consider his specific thoughts about genetically modifying human beings and his general principles (guidelines) for making these kinds of judgments.

2. Your perspective: based on your analysis and understanding of The Dalai Lama’s ethical argument and your own considerations, answer these questions:

· Should the WHO mandate a moratorium (a freeze) on all research and experimentation that involves editing genes in human embryos, for any purpose? Explain your answer.

· Even if you recommend a moratorium, other members on the committee might disagree with you, believing that the WHO should not put a stop to the genetic modification of human embryos. If this research is allowed to continue, what guidelines and restrictions should be put in place? Explain your answer.