Clusters of Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats - Essay Sample

Introduction

Genome editing is a process that involves changes made in the germline that is to be passed to future generations. There have been some concerns about the same which have raised both positive and negative emotions. This paper seeks to evaluate the arguments both for and against the technology. The researchers are however against the process at this time since it has just been introduced to allow room for more research.

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First is about the issue of safety. Unless the process of genome editing is rendered safe, the researchers strictly advise that it should not be used for any clinical purposes. However, there still is hope of using genome editing in some ways for example in pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and in-vitro fertilization. The latter has been used in some cases where parents are unable to have a child. It has helped such parents despite the challenge of the process being rendered unsafe.

Second is on the matter of consent. There are great fears that arise as a result of parents being concerned that it affects them especially when it comes to issues of future generations. Therefore, a person may think it will be impossible to obtain informed consent from the parents. The case is however different because parents are involved in making very many decisions for their children and their future. Therefore, it would not be a hard task to do the same at such a time.

On the issue of justice and equity, the process of genome editing is seen to be for only wealthy persons since it involves technology. It is seen to increase the difficulty in accessing healthcare as it is expensive. It would result in a difference in class differences as a result of the classes created from germ lining although an improvement in the quality of genes of embryos is made and improves the quality of the outcome.

My Opinion about Genome Editing

Genome editing is helpful especially to those individuals who have health conditions that they do not want to pass to their children. Also if they cannot bear children, genome editing provides a way through which they can bear children through in-vitro fertilization. The only disadvantage is the issue of safety which will be dealt with soon by the researchers. The process can also be considered in critical conditions. Therefore, the safest way should be searched to make the process fully useable. Thus, in some few years to come, the process should be made affordable to every person who needs it especially those with serious medical conditions. For the other persons who want to be better than others, I believe it is on the own free will of a person to develop their own as they wish. Limitations should, however, be made to equalize the standards of all persons.

References

MIT Technology Review, 2019. Crispr Decoded. Retrieved on 16th January 2019 from

https://www.technologyreview.com/video/608474/crispr-decoded/

National Human Genome Research Institute, 2017. What are the ethical concerns about genome editing? Retrieved on 16th January 2019 from https://www.genome.gov/27569225/what-are-the-ethical-concerns-about-genome-editing/