A Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, has recently made claims that his research has used CRISPR gene-editing technology to alter the DNA of unborn twins. Last week the scientist released a Youtube video saying his gene-edited babies have been born in China, which caused many people to call him “Chinese Frankenstein”. In a presentation on his research, he stated that he “felt proud” of what he had done, since the father of the babies has HIV and Jiankui was able to remove the genes responsible for the disease.
However, his research has sparked drastic controversy in China and internationally, causing Jiankui to be let go from his position at a Chinese University, and even pursued by the law. Chinese officials say he was put under house arrest, however other sources say that he isn’t detained, but has rather gone missing and can’t be found. The Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTC) and Chinese Health Officials have released statements distancing themselves from the research and condemning what he has done.
This controversy brings up a striking example of the ethical implications of new technologies we have developed, and the discussion of whether we should practice these scientific technologies just because we have the capability to do so. In the book Frankenstein we see that Frankenstein’s monster causes turmoil in Frankenstein’s life, and he is admonished for creating such a being.
While editing the genes of a baby to remove the HIV virus is arguably less extreme, it still sparks the question of whether humans should be given such a power to change the genetic makeup of their children. It has been speculated that in short time parents may be able to pick the traits they want to see in their children and pay for scientists to edit the genes of the embryo, which puts humans in a position of possibly unhealthy power.
The ability of gene-editing to erase disease traits also raises the concern that this feature might be something only available for the very wealthy, increasing the gap between the rich and poor in terms of quality of life and disease prevention. Since this story is on the forefront of our technological and biomedical capabilities, we are in uncharted territory when it comes to how the law aids or prevents the technology and how the societal response will influence whether gene-editing babies becomes popular or even permitted.