Is CRISPR an Ethical Source of Technology?

CRISPR is a genome editing tool that allows scientists to alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. Gene editing has been proved to be useful as it can aid in getting rid of harmful genetic mutations, however it has a very fine line between what is ethical and going too far. For years CRISPR has been used to genetically modify animals, specifically mice, for research purposes. Oftentimes, when experiments are performed on model organisms the ethics behind the research are only considered if the benefit of the result outweighs the harm it brings to the animal. To condense, if the cost of the mice will bring more gain to humans then the research will proceed. Even though its questionable to genetically modify model organisms, it’s good to question whether CRISPR modifications on humans would be more beneficial or unethical. In an article published by Scientific American, author Karen Weintraub speaks on using CRISPR technology to combat sickle cell anemia. She writes, “ Altshuler says this result gives him confidence that the gene edits can potentially provide meaningful and lifelong benefits to patients.” In this case CRISPR proves to be extremely useful and advantageous to sick patients, however it seems that in order to keep it from being used in an unethical manner some strict guidelines need to be put into place. 

In the article, “Central and Peripheral Clock Control of Circadian Feeding Rhythms” Cavanaugh et al (2021), it is assumed that there is a molecular clock in organisms that controls certain behaviors. Cavanaugh explains that one of the primary methods of this experiment included this use of CRISPR gene editing in order to analyze feed rhythm in flies. In this study it was found that the central clock and peripheral clocks described in the experiment act independently of one another, however the experimental results indicate that the molecular clock acts together in some way as well. In this case it was beneficial to genetically modify the Drosophila genes because it brought more knowledge and evidence into a study that is far more valuable to humans. 

Almost all research conducted using CRISPR has so far been beneficial to humans, and has proved how useful they can be in improving quality of life. The big question to keep in the back of our mind is where do we draw the line? It would be of no use to genetically modify eye color or hair color, and while these things seem harmless if CRISPR were to fall into the wrong hands humans could be genetically modified to cause harm. They could also have harm brought upon them. However, this is a cost and benefit analysis issue of almost all sources of technology, so as long as CRISPR has strict guidelines in place and is used by trusted sources it will remain the one of the most impressive technologies to this day. 

Works Cited 

Weintraub, K. (2019, August 13). Despite controversy, human studies of CRISPR move forward in the U.S. Scientific American. Retrieved March 4, 2022, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/despite-controversy-human-studies-of-crispr-move-forward-in-the-u-s/ 

Fulgham CV, Dreyer AP, Nasseri A, Miller AN, Love J, Martin MM, Jabr DA, Saurabh S, Cavanaugh DJ. Central and Peripheral Clock Control of Circadian Feeding Rhythms. J Biol Rhythms. 2021 Dec;36(6):548-566. doi: 10.1177/07487304211045835. Epub 2021 Sep 22. PMID: 34547954.