WEXT Princeton Day School History Germline Editing Project

Learn some of the cons of germline genetic engineering! Stay tuned for more information!🧬

A negative consequence of germline editing could be caused by the fact that the technology is not even close to being perfect. For example, sometimes accidentally altering a gene near the intended target can happen, also known as an “off-target effect.” Even if researchers do hit the correct location, many genes often have more than one function, and thus might altering it might lead to even more devastating defects, leading human subjects to possibly be at risk of death or long-term health defects.

A negative consequence of germline editing could be caused by the fact that the technology is not even close to being perfect. For example, sometimes accidentally altering a gene near the intended target can happen, also known as an “off-target effect.” Even if researchers do hit the correct location, many genes often have more than one function, and thus might altering it might lead to even more devastating defects, leading human subjects to possibly be at risk of death or long-term health defects.

A benefit of legalizing germline editing is that germline editing will hinder the passing-on of genetic diseases such as Huntington’s disease, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia or more complex diseases such as heart disease, cancer, mental illness, or HIV. In other words, germline editing will allow bad genes to be turned off and ensure the health of future generations.

Check in tomorrow to learn about the cons (such as the socio economic and ethical problems) of germline editing!🧬

Is Germline genetic engineering legal in the U.S? What's your opinion on this matter and why?

Germline editing is technically legal in the U.S. However, there are two main ways in which the government protects society from genetic experimentation. First, the National Institutes of Health, the biggest funder of research in the country does not fund research into human embryo manipulation. Second, clinics that perform embryo manipulation as part of their daily business are not allowed to add anything to or change anything in an embryo using gene-editing techniques. Since germline editing is so new, it’s very unsafe to be performing on humans and be 100% certain the results will be beneficial and safe.
Maggie Japna Allison Yael
WEXT Princeton Day School Germline Engineering Project Group
WEXT Princeton Day School History Germline Editing Project

Source: Detwiler, Jacqueline. “Legal vs. Illegal Gene Editing: Here's What's Banned, and Why.” Popular Mechanics, Popular Mechanics, 4 Dec. 2018, www.popularmechanics.com/…/…/gene-editing-crispr-cas9-legal/.

Graphic by Judy Blomquist/Harvard Staff

NEW POST! Would you like to know the pros of germline editing? Read and respond! We want your opinion!

YOUR OPINION MATTERS! WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What are the PROS of germline gene editing?

Germline editing will hinder the passing-on of genetic diseases such as Huntington’s disease, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia or more complex diseases such as heart disease, cancer, mental illness, or HIV. In other words, germline editing will allow bad genes to be turned off. The Cas9 protein snips out the bad or mutated section of the DNA, and scientists can either add, remove, or reattach the (healthy) segments back together. A future child wouldn't know what it's like to suffer from a deadly disease. Along with that you could possibly design your embryo to have specific characteristics such as hair color, eye color, height, intelligence, or even anti-aging.

Get your rest tonight.. because tomorrow, we are doing the flip side to this debate!

Source: “CRISPR History and Development for Genome Engineering.” Addgene, www.addgene.org/crispr/history/.
Image from: nevodka/Shutterstock
Maggie Japna Allison Yael
WEXT Princeton Day School History Germline Editing Project
WEXT Princeton Day School Germline Engineering Project Group

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