When He Jiankui succeeded in producing the first genetically modified children, the world was stunned. Despite immediate pushback from the scientific community, who deemed Jiankui’s work unethical, and being sentenced to three years in prison for deceiving medical authorities, he was labeled one of Time’s Most Influential People of 2019. Today, Jiankui works in a government funded research center in Beijing where he continues his controversial genetic research.
Lulu and Nana were the set of twins edited by Jiankui in 2018. He used a method called CRISPR which targets an HIV gene in the children’s embryonic cells. However, other scientists have expressed concern that modifying DNA in this way could lead to other genetic variations that manifest in unexpected ways later in the twins’ lives. They also noted that these malfunctions, or “off-targets,” could be transmitted to their offspring. By increasing the possibility of unknown future genetic complications, Jiankui’s experiment may be undermining its own purpose: to prevent the spread of a chronic disease.
Surprisingly, Jiankui’s ethically-fraught practices seem to be gathering support as the world charges ahead with bio-medical developments. Not only has the Chinese government left him strangely uncensored, as remarked by Benjamin Hurlbut, an associate professor at Arizona State University’s life sciences department, but an American cryptocurrency entrepreneur has offered Jiankui funding for his current Alzheimer’s research. This is because Jainkui is one of the only modern scientists willing to push the boundaries of ethics and scientific development. But, that might not necessarily be such a good idea.
The American cryptocurrency supporter also offered Jiankui his investment if genetic editing were to become commercially available. However, without established global guidelines, genetically edited children could lead to a miasma of issues, such as designer babies, or children “custom-ordered” to inherit certain features. This selectivity would only further the superficial divides that plague today’s society, such as racism or ableism. Additionally, it undermines the individuality and diversity people have to offer to the world. If parents raise their children to value their superficial traits, rising generations will learn less empathy and shared humanity. And, ultimately, what we will be left with isn’t a scientifically advanced world, but a broken society of mutated generations who pride themselves on their “perfect” genetics, despite being at serious risk for long term health problems.
This is not to say genetic editing should be completely abolished. It is simply too early for actual procedures to occur. Research, especially that addressing chronic or hereditary conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, could have incredible potential, but global guidelines should be established so that a scientific race between countries doesn’t culminate in generations of unhealthy individuals.
