case study: gene editing

Question 1

what is CRISPR Cas 9?

Answer 1

gene-editing technology involving the Cas9 enzyme, which uses CRISPR sequences as a guide to recognize and cut specific strands of DNA at a desired location, allowing existing genes to be removed and/or new ones added

Question 2

what are the potential applications of gene editing?

Answer 2

correct harmful mutations in the human genome

somatic (non-reproductive) cell therapy

germline editing

Question 3

what are some ethical concerns regarding gene editing?

Answer 3

limited evidence of safety and efficacy; limited lab or animal work has been done on engineering embryos

putting children (who can’t consent) at risk of harm (e.g., due to off-target editing)

germline editing

Question 4

what are some gene editing policy questions?

Answer 4

somatic vs. germline gene editing (more dangerous than somatic)

therapeutic vs. non-therapeutic purposes (i.e., human enhancement)

reproductive vs. laboratory purposes (i.e., restricted to in vitro use and not implanted to be born)

Question 5

what are some countries that permit human germline genome editing (not for reproduction)?

Answer 5

usa, india, china, united kingdom

Question 6

does canada permit human germline genome editing?

Answer 6

no. very strict

can’t even edit - even if you don’t transplant, not allowed. many scientists argue against this

Question 7

what does the oviedo convention say about genome editing?

Answer 7

intervention seeking to modify the human genome may only be
undertaken for preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic purposes and
only if its aim is not to introduce any modification in the genome of
any descendants

no germline, only somatic

Question 8

how many countries ratified the oviedo convention?

Answer 8

29