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The Case for CRISPR Babies
Some families with genetic diseases are finding hope in the controversial technology
In November 2018, a Rubicon was crossed in biomedical science. Chinese researcher He Jiankui announced he had created the first “CRISPR babies” — infants whose genomes were edited before they were born. The outcry was swift and scathing. Scientists condemned the experiments as unethical, unsafe, and perhaps worst of all, unnecessary. On Monday, it was announced that a Chinese government investigation determined He “seriously violated” state laws, and that he would likely face criminal charges.
But for some families with severe genetic disorders, the experiment offered something else: hope.
The gene-editing technology CRISPR emerged in 2013 as a sort of “cut-and-paste” tool for DNA.
One of its greatest promises is the ability to treat and potentially eliminate genetic disorders in humans. Clinical trials that use other forms of gene-editing therapy on blood or immune cells are already underway to treat patients with genetic conditions like sickle cell disease and certain types of cancer.
But editing the genome of an embryo adds a whole extra layer of complexity. Germline editing, as it’s called, is like playing with evolution. A single mistake could cause devastating consequences. Not only will that person’s genome be affected, but so will their children’s and their grandchildren’s and their great-grandchildren’s. This is because editing an embryo at the earliest stage changes the genes not only in those few preliminary cells, but in all the cells that develop after, including the eggs or sperm.
Scientists have called for a moratorium on editing the genome of human embryos until the methods are perfected and the moral implications — including the fear of “designer babies” — are hashed out.
That’s why He’s announcement in November was such a shock. It blew past all the ethical dilemmas and “what ifs” scientists had been discussing for years. He claims to have edited the embryos of twin girls to add in a genetic mutation that protects against HIV. The girls’ father is HIV positive, and he and his wife wanted to make sure he wouldn’t pass the virus on to his children. However, safe and…
