Life and Ethics in the 'Age of Genetic Science'

 Genetic science is nothing less than a revolution. These technologies seem to guarantee everything from reviving extinct animals to ensuring human survival on Earth. But what are the ethics for this science?

 When genetic science is discussed, the imagination of future "superhumans" often comes to mind. A person, or people, whose DNA has been altered to enhance their abilities and perform better than others. Such individuals will be immune to many diseases while still maintaining a traditional and desirable beauty, as if they were the "best version" of humanity.

 These concepts may be true in dystopian literature or science fiction movies, but such concepts are currently not even remotely related to reality. George Church is one of the world's leading genetic scientists. He says that in the future he sees for genetic science, the idea of ​​creating superhumans is far-fetched.

 "There is a misconception that you can become a perfect human or even a superhuman," he told DW, adding, "When you achieve something. So you also lose something. The features you love about a bicycle are not suited to a race car or a jet.”

 George Church has been involved in the field of genetic science for decades. He was one of the first scientists to "sequence the human genome". It is a method used to understand the genetic material present in an organism. He has also played a fundamental role in the development of genome engineering.

 The power to change human genetics and change lives

 Genome engineering is known by a few names. Some call it genetic engineering while others call it genome or gene editing. Some call it technology and others liken it to a pair of scissors. For example, we can use gene editing techniques to delete genes that transmit hereditary diseases.

 In fact, using this technology, the genetic material found in the DNA of any organism can be added, removed or changed.

 The Age of Genetic Science

 Gregor Mendel first discovered the basics of heredity in 1865 while experimenting on crossbreeding plants. Because of these experiments, the knowledge gained is what we now call genetics, and the field has now developed greatly. Speaking to DW from his Harvard University lab, George Church said that we are currently living in the "age of genetics."

 It was Mendel's early discoveries that made it possible for scientists to achieve the ability to "sequence the genome". Scientists have been able to identify 5000 such genes, including SARS-CoV-2, which are responsible for rare diseases.

Experts now understand better how genes work. Image: SWR

 Experts now understand better how genes work. Therefore, the possibilities of improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases have also increased. George Church's research concerns the use of genetics to reverse the aging process. Genetic technology is also being used in "de-extinction science" or "the science of reproducing extinct animals". A famous example in this regard is the attempt to revive the extinct giant elephant or mammoth.

 The ethics of genetic science

 These visions of the future of genetic science also raise a long list of ethical and philosophical questions. Some experts say we have yet to address these questions.

 Take, for example, the question of what makes us human and who gets to decide which genes to change.

 John Witkowski is a professor at the Graduate School of Biological Sciences in Cold Spring Harbor, USA. In this regard, he said, "The problem of gene editing and gene therapy will always be there for future generations." I will meet and these future generations are not being given a choice whether they want to make this change.”

 Bias in genetic science

 Researchers in genetic science can develop personalized medicine for an individual's specific condition. Scientists 

 But some scientists argue that these collections of genetic data do not represent the global population. About 90 percent of genomic data is currently obtained from people of European descent, and this data lacks diversity. This disparity can result in underrepresented populations or countries missing out on the benefits of genetic research.

 Report, Juliette Pineda
 Translated by Imtiaz Ahmad