Ethics, Science and Technology - Genome Editing

Genome Editing; to produce insertion, deletion or replacement of DNA at a specific site in the genome of an organism this is done in a lab using engineered nucleasis known as molecular scissors

CRISPR; Identifies target in DNA to be modified, then cuts to generate a variation in the protein, rather low cost and precise

2015 - genome editing took place in London on an 11 month old girl, her leukemia has not returned to this day

Heidegger; warns about danger when humans override nature, we are producing ourselves technologically, recreating ourselves

Origin of Species - Darwin

• not God but natural selection - survival of the fittest, how genetics are changes

Mendel

• experimentation on peas, child inherits one dominant trait of the parents

DNA - genetic code, molecule contains the instructions an organism needs to develop and reproduce

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS

• We can predict our fate, what diseases we will come down with

• Designer babies

• ‘when you start to mess around with nature you dont see the full implication of your actions’ - susan cassar 2025

• stem cells - cure diseases, people are living longer → pensions, jobs, elderly homes, doctors

• change the nature of biology, from the passive observer of life to a manager of life.