Opinion survey on gene editing

Neon Knight Sat 13 Oct - 1:30

https://yougov.co.uk/news/2018/10/10/most-brits-say-gene-editing-reduce-risk-disease-sh/ Selected quoting:

One in ten support changing a child’s intelligence or appearance through gene editing – with young people most likely to consider it for their own future children

Gene editing is a form of technology by which scientists can add, remove, or alter a living organism's DNA. The technology has the potential to radically reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of genetically inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s disease. A form of gene editing called CRISPR is already being used by scientists in China to alter disease-causing genetic mutations in human embryos.

However, some are concerned about the ethical implications of other potential uses of gene editing – including changing DNA to alter a person’s appearance or personality. New YouGov research explores the extent to which the public supports gene editing, and whether they would consider using the technology to alter the genetic make-up of any future offspring.

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Approaching half of Brits (47%) believe that gene editing for particular traits is similar to choosing a sperm or egg donor based on ethnicity, build, intelligence etc., while one in three think it is different. One in five (21%) don’t know.

OsricPearl Sat 13 Oct - 22:43

Is it strange that I'm a Christian and I don't have a problem with this? I don't see how this is any different from taking vitamins during pregnancy.

Sary Sun 14 Oct - 0:21

I have mixed feelings about gene editing. Eradicating heritable diseases would definitely be a very good thing. Maybe even possible after a few generations, if everyone did it .

As far as choosing gene editing for appearance, personality, or intelligence, I think that is wrong. I don't think parents should be picking and choosing traits.
It is weird, like ordering a "perfect " child off of a menu.
if you think about it, this new technology kinda takes all of the wonder and miracle out of the birth of a human being.

Neon Knight Sun 14 Oct - 16:47

I have some sympathy with Sary's concerns - treating babies as accessories which can be modified to taste. But I don't think I would outlaw gene editing for physical appearance, as long as it was safe. Would most couples bother with it? And how might it affect the issue of race? Suppose a naturally black baby had been modified to have white skin and straight hair. As an adult would she be regarded as racially European? Would she still tick the 'Black/African' box on a race survey? She would probably look like the twin on the left here:

Spoiler:

OsricPearl Mon 15 Oct - 15:08

Neon Knight wrote:I have some sympathy with Sary's concerns - treating babies as accessories which can be modified to taste. But I don't think I would outlaw gene editing for physical appearance, as long as it was safe. Would most couples bother with it? And how might it affect the issue of race? Suppose a naturally black baby had been modified to have white skin and straight hair. As an adult would she be regarded as racially European? Would she still tick the 'Black/African' box on a race survey? She would probably look like the twin on the left here:

Spoiler:

I considered it a little yesterday, and I think that people should be careful when it comes to gene editing for certain physical traits. There are groups that take pride in how they look, like the Japanese. If say, a couple were to give their boy blue eyes and blond hair, he may grow up resenting them and hating his looks because they didn't make him look authentically Japanese.

There is also the fact that children like looking like their parents. My three year old recently told me:
"I like mama's hair. It's black. My hair is black. Your eyes are brown. My eyes are brown."
That made me think that perhaps we shouldn't be so cavalier with these sorts of things. Embarassed

Neon Knight Tue 16 Oct - 22:26

Two very relevant articles:

https://unherd.com/2017/09/genetically-selective-societies-breed-crippling-uniformity/?=refinnar

Could genetically selective societies breed themselves into crippling uniformity?

As we move ever closer to the commonplace genetic engineering of humanity, sceptical voices make an appeal to diversity. If we can choose how our children turn out – both physically and intellectually – aren’t we in danger of losing something? . . .

https://unherd.com/2018/10/wed-fools-not-embrace-gene-editing/

Should we edit genes to boost IQ?

A 10-point jump in average IQ would correlate to a doubling of the national economy . . .

Sary Fri 19 Oct - 2:00

It seems as though gene editing will become more common place in the near future. People will become GMO, just like crops and livestock .
Maybe it is a good thing...why leave things to chance, if you do not need to.

I wish that I had a crystal ball and was able to see how things will turn out, say 200 years from now. No doubt life on earth will be very different.
Hopefully all of our technological advancements will be used to make life here on earth, a better place. A balance between knowledge and wisdom . Hope for a better world for the generations to come.

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