Genetic modification in babies
Introduction
Genetic modification has always been the cause of controversies, since many believe that this means going against the natural order of things. Currently, a controversial issue related to genetic edition in babies has been raised, however, how bad would it be genetically modifying a baby so that it has better capabilities? Within this essay, ethical, but also social, technical and economic issues will be addressed to determine the feasibility and viability of the genetic edition in all areas already mentioned. In the first chapter, technical information is presented, which will help to understand the text in a deeper way.
Chapter 1: Previous concepts
The genetic inheritance is governed by the DNA, this is an organic molecule that constitutes the basis for the transfer of genetic information to the successors of a kind. The DNA, in Spanish DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), is constituted by nitrogenous bases, also known as shift bases, which are adenine, timin, guanine and cytokine;It should be noted that due to its nature its union is very selective, so we have that adenine can only be joined with timin and guanine with cytocin. The order of these bases determines the characteristics of a living being, as is the case of human beings where this order determines things such as hair color, eye color, complexion, skin color and basically everything that composesto a human being. There is also a molecule known as RNA, in Spanish RNA (ribonucleic acid), which does not fulfill a direct function in inheritance, but helps complete the cycle that allows the transfer of genetic information. This whole cycle is possible thanks to a set of organic molecules, usually of protein nature, but also of RNA, known as enzymes. Enzymes help accelerate chemical reactions, that is, they have many functions, these range from opening the double DNA chain, to quickly copy genetic information and thus complete the formation of new DNA.
Genes are structures formed by DNA, these have genetic information for macromolecules coding, such as proteins, with cell function, that is, it helps to fulfill a physiological function such as breathing. Chromosomes are units that contain DNA, RNA and proteins, their fundamental components are genes.
Chapter 2: What is genetic modification and what tools are currently
Within this chapter, it will be explained in what the genetic edition consists of and a general panorama of the current existing tools will be given, emphasizing the technique used Crispr-Cas9 and also talk about its achievement.
Genetic modification is a technique used to make changes in the structure of the DNA and thus alter genetic information and therefore the characteristics of a living being. Genetic engineering can be used in a wide variety of organisms, the use of techniques, for the modification of genes, oriented to the human being are controversial. The best known technique is the one that uses CRISPR-CAS9.
The CRISPR-CAS9 genetic modification tool is very important in the genetic edition, it is possible that with this technology babies can be designed, thus it could be sought that people under this genetic edition are stronger, faster, more intelligentand any other characteristic that is desired. It is true that there are other genetic editing technologies, such as ZFN (Zinc-Finger Nucleases) and TALEN (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases). However, the advantages of CRISPR-CAS9 are very noticeable, since while the use of nucleas zfn involves a cost 30.€ 000 and from 3 to 4 years of work, the TALEN imply a time of 3-4 months and a cost of 10.€ 000, with the CRISPR-CAS9 only 2-3 weeks are needed and a cost of € 20-30.
In addition, the system can also be used to regulate gene expression, or even to introduce epigenetic modifications, inactivating CAS9 nuclease activity and incorporating a module that interact with regulatory elements of gene expression or capable of carrying out changes in methylation or methylation orHistonas modifications, that is, genetic modifications can be achieved that improve the physical characteristics of an individual.
The development of CRISPR-CAS technology has inaugurated a new era for genetic engineering in which you can edit, correct and alter the genome of any cell in an easy, fast, cheap and highly precise way. This technology has had various achievements in the Biotechnology area, 3 of them are mentioned below.
1. The first human embryos in the US. UU. Modified with CRISPR
In summer, researchers from the University of Sciences and Health of Oregon (USA. UU.), directed by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, reported the first known attempt to modify genetically human embryos in the USA. UU. Crispr inject in embryos that carried a genetic mutation responsible for a hereditary heart condition that is usually deadly. Crispr managed to correct the mutation in approximately three quarters of the embryos. Another Chinese Chinese research team had previously published human embryos with CRISPR, but the US experiment. UU. It has been the greatest attempt to alter embryo to date.
two. Crispr approached pigs to become a future source of human organs
This year, the start-up and genesis, a spin-off of the geneticist laboratory of the Harvard School of Medicine (EE. UU.) George Church, took a step forward in the genetic modification of pigs through CRISPR. The company wants to cover the great need for organs for transplants causing pigs to be safe enough to be used in humans with heart, liver, renal or pulmonary insufficiency. Pigs house viruses naturally in their DNA that could be transferred to human receptors and cause disease. Genesis researchers used CRISPR to deactivate these viruses, a virus is a nucleotide sequence, in pork embryos. When they were born, the 37 piglets were healthy and virus free.
3. A patient receives the first genetic editing treatment
A 44 -year -old man became the first person to receive a genetic editing treatment designed to modify his cells.
Instead of CRISPR, the therapy uses an older DNA edition approach called zinc fingers, intended to correct an error in a gene that causes an unusual metabolic disorder that slowly destroys the body’s cells. Sangamo Therapeutics, the company responsible for the trial previously used the same technology to edit the cells of HIV patients outside the body and then infuse them in patients to try to eliminate the virus. The treatment did not have a lasting effect, but Sangamo expects to directly inject the genetic editing tools into the body is more effective.
Chapter 3: Current controversies related to genetic modification in babies
The provisions of November 25, 2018 in China and subsequent events related to genetic modification in babies will be addressed as the main case.
As many technologies this has moral and social restrictions, as Padilla points out “this technology is undoubtedly a great revolution not only in the world of science, but also in society. With the scenario achieved in such a short time, the applications made and potential of the CRISPR/CAS9 gene editing system, the questions that always surround this type of technologies are beginning to answer. Because of this, various international conference were made to talk about this technology;At this time some common points were already observed regarding the regulation of technology;For example, Jennifer Doudna and George Church, both renowned researchers in CRISPR/CAS9, considered the total prohibition of genetic engineering in humans impractical, given the ease and accessibility of the technique for scientists of any latitude ”
The 2018 case happened in China, the scientist He Jiankui announced that he had created the first genetically modified babies, which were able to resist HIV infections. Genetic modification had a lot of controversy, not only in the social field, but also the scientific field. He Jiankui had used CRISPR-CA technology to prevent newborn twins from being infected with this type, however, it should be noted that parents were not totally informed of what was going to be done. The controversy began when the MIT in its magazine Technology Review echoed the study of He, on the other hand, the University of Science and Technology of the southern city of Shenzhen said that I had no knowledge of what was being done. This study had many repercussions, since it consisted of manipulating the DNA of the twins without making the parents and the scientific community aware.
He Jiankui was aware of the repercussions that his work would have, as he said "I understand that my work is controversial, but I think families need this technology and I am willing to accept criticism for them", and it is that something important to haveIn mind, one of the twin parents was infected with HIV.
The scientific community was divided, some agreed and others against what has already been commented. Joyce Harper, a researcher at the University Collage in London, mention about the study "is premature, dangerous and irresponsible", on the other hand, some scientists considered that if it were true, this could represent a very significant achievement in genetic engineering.
Chapter 4: Is genetic modification, blessing or abomination?
Finally, in this chapter ethical issues will be discussed. In addition, a review of the most important concepts related to legal regulations for genetic modification is carried out;On the other hand, the previous scientific and ethical arguments are resumed to determine the feasibility of this new technology.
All species have rights, biotechnology, genetic manipulation has the obligation to respect them. Genetic manipulation in human is deeply linked to biode rights, this “is a legal response to society, consisting of establishing the basic principles and norms necessary for the permanent and continuous scientific development and the protection of the human person, as well as rightsfundamental of man, among which are his dignity and his freedom. And in that sense, to conceive a legal system with an ethical, dialogic, participatory and solidarity construction between society and the democratic state ”. The importance of this concept, the biode right, not only lies in the legal and that is that it could help establish a better society.
conclusion
Genetic manipulation can be something good or bad, depending on how this new technology is used. It can benefit humans, since it can help improve their quality of life through disease elimination, but on the other hand it could become a danger, since this could create a larger gap among humans than humans than humans than humans than humansThey integrate a society. This gap would be given, since this technology would not be available to all, being the most benefited people with the greatest economic resources. In addition, on the other hand, due to the advance of genetic manipulation in humans, ethical regulations must advance faster, in order to moderate the tests performed in favor of humanity. Many advances can touch human dignity, this in turn encourages the creation of new rights focused on these investigations. Based on the aforementioned analysis, which is focused on the most affected parts due to new technologies, such as: “The danger of a new eugenics, discrimination for genetic reasons, management of the management of the management of theGenetic information, the problems derived from genome research, the appropriation of human genetic material ”.
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