THE COST OF QUESTING FOR THE GOOD GENE

In November of 2018, Professor He Jian Kui shocked the world when he announced that he had genetically engineered children. Public outcry of the revelation gave way as scientists condemned He’s actions. In the YouTube video where he proudly declares the birth of twins Lulu and Nana with HIV immunity.

In a world where genetic engineering itself is already controversial and looked down upon, this brings forth the big problems in gene editing research.

Professor Patricia Stapleton, a professor of political science at WPI, who has researched cases involving GMOs in Europe, gives her thoughts about the incident in China. Ironically, she had just submitted an article regarding CRISPR gene editing of humans when she found out about the news.

Stapleton’s initial reaction was of partial surprise as she is unclear about what exactly He did and how he did the experiment, as He has declined any information further regarding his research.

However, Stapleton mentioned that she was not surprised that this has happened as research of CRISPR gene editing is hard to regulate. CRISPR technology has already known to be doable, just that no one has gone as far as to create children.

The implications of this revelation is unclear. While many claim that scientists are “playing God” or tampering with code of nature, others are concerned about how this technology will be used when it is fully commercialized.

While CRISPR gene editing itself is not expensive and is quite cheap, IVF, which is used in conjunction with CRISPR when editing human embryo genes is costly, and those that use this technology are often wealthy.

Additionally, the question of which genes are undesired and which are will also come into play. Beyond the fears that gene editing will make humans superior, the major concern is which diseases will be “cured.”

While human advancement of science has sometimes been riddled by things deemed unethical, it is certainly important to take precautions when doing scientific research today.

Stapleton also mentions that the lack of precautions taken is certainly strange.

By scientific regulation, CRISPR editing of humans are performed, however, embryos must be destroyed by the second week.

In terms of laws and governmental regulations, it is unclear if He is detained or in hiding, however, it is clear that he violated Chinese law and Chinese authorities have disagreed with the experiment.

Internationally, however, there are no regulations regarding gene-editing science experiments.

Regarding the Rice University professor that helped He, Rice University claims that they had no knowledge of his work.

Chinese legal environment as permissive but he did violated Chinese law and China has also disagreed with this experiment.

While this bold move to publicize an experiment will be beneficial or detrimental is yet to be seen, the importance of the government and its role in science is becoming increasingly clear in this technologically advanced society.