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Gene Editing

By: Akshita Akumalla, Hafsa Javaid, Gauri Patwardhan, and Brianna Tang

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Why we chose this topic.

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Why is it important?

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Why is it an ethical dilemma?

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Fairness and Utilitarian Approach

What is the fairness approach? It asks us whether or not someone is treated differently based on legitimate distinction or if it is a discriminatory practice where some who are no different than others are treated differently?

From a fairness standpoint, furthering genetic engineering is not ethical. This is mainly because the opulent alone would be able to afford the treatment and have the option to “customize” their children. Children from a modest financial background will hence be at a disadvantage as they would have to compete against genetically perfected “robots”. The rich may choose to genetically modify their children against certain types of illnesses. The poor on the other hand will be more susceptible to a wider range of diseases and illnesses compared to their rich counterparts.

It may be argued that genetic engineering would provide a genetically defected chance at an enriching life thereby making it fair to certain people. However, there is a very small percent of the population faced with such diseases and of them only a few may be able to afford this treatment. Also keeping the human nature in mind, the financial well settled families, it could be predicted, would misuse the technology to create for themselves the “perfect” child with the perfect genes that is far apart from the competition and thus, has a better chance at a successful career and life.

Genetic engineering would tilt the table in favor of the rich by not providing all with an equal chance at life. Hence, it is our conclusion that, based solely on a fairness approach, gene editing should not be supported.

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Works cited

Department of Health & Human Services. “Gene Therapy.” Better Health Channel, Department of Health & Human Services, 31 May 2011, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/gene-therapy

Tangermann, Victor. “A CRISPR Future: Five Ways Gene Editing Will Transform Our World.” Futurism, Futurism, 9 Jan. 2019, futurism.com/crispr-genetic-engineering-change-world.

Image of the baby was under a reuse for non commercial license. It was from the website: https://bit.ly/2ULf0mN

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Thank You!