In 2018, gene editing became a reality with the successful gene-editing experiment on human embryos in China, thanks to CRISPR/Cas9. While this technology holds the promise of curing genetic diseases and improving the quality of human life, it also raises the risk of misuse and ethical controversy. Gene editing can lead to social inequality, especially in the form of designer babies, and international regulation and public awareness are needed.

Is gene editing a revolution that will change the future of humanity?

In July 2018, the shocking news broke that Chinese scientists had edited human embryos. This meant that human gene editing, which had been taboo and considered the realm of the gods, had actually happened, something that had only been seen in movies and novels. Although the experiment did not result in the creation of a complete individual because it used a fertilized egg with a congenital genetic defect that prevents it from developing normally, it proved that human gene editing is now technically possible.
The pace of modern science is faster than ever. In the life sciences, in particular, we’re seeing more and more research pushing the limits of human life, including gene editing, cell regeneration, and artificial organ research. These technologies are advancing beyond treating disease to manipulating the human life cycle and even extending life, raising philosophical and ethical questions about human identity and life. Gene editing is the most controversial of these technologies, and its implications have led to deep discussions beyond the scientific community.
In fact, human gene manipulation has been a concept in science and science fiction for decades, but it has taken a long time to reach the point of realization. The discovery of a powerful tool called CRISPR/Cas9 is behind this. But what is CRISPR/Cas9, and how has it made the fanciful concept of human gene editing a reality? And how should we prepare for the social and ethical changes it will bring?

The Discovery of CRISPR/Cas9 and the Advancement of Life Sciences

CRISPR/Cas9 is a type of “gene scissors” technology derived from bacteria, an enzyme system that can cut specific gene regions with great precision. The system has much higher specificity than existing gene editing technologies and allows for fast and cost-effective gene editing. This is especially important for human gene editing because the human genome is much larger than that of a microbe, making it very difficult to cut a specific gene precisely. However, CRISPR/Cas9 overcomes this limitation and can selectively cut only the genes that are needed, even in the vast human genome.
The possibilities of gene editing are not limited to humans. Gene editing in microorganisms such as E. coli and yeast has been possible since the 1970s and is widely used in real life. For example, the mass production of insulin by editing E. coli genes has revolutionized the treatment of diabetes. Previously, small amounts of insulin were extracted from cows or pigs, but gene editing allowed E. coli to produce insulin in large quantities. This is thanks to an enzyme called restriction enzyme, which can cut any part of the DNA, which was essential to freely edit genes.
However, restriction enzymes have limitations when dealing with the complex human genome, and it was CRISPR/Cas9 that solved this problem. CRISPR/Cas9 is more precise and specific than previous techniques, allowing you to cut and edit only where you need to. It also greatly simplified the experimental process, reducing the time and cost of gene editing from over 10 steps to just one, dramatically reducing the time and cost of gene editing. These innovations have made CRISPR/Cas9 a powerful tool for gene editing, and are poised to revolutionize society and industry.

Medical possibilities and ethical issues of CRISPR/Cas9

Scientists and capital have poured into the development and commercialization of CRISPR/Cas9, and a variety of patents and ventures are competing to exploit it. One of the strengths of CRISPR/Cas9 in particular is its ability to edit the genes of fully grown individuals. This opens up the possibility of treating adult patients with diseases caused by genetic defects. This technological advancement opens up new avenues in the treatment and prevention of genetic diseases and is expected to be a major leap forward in medicine.
However, the promise of CRISPR/Cas9 also presents ethical risks that we cannot predict. The technology is advancing rapidly, with no social or ethical consensus on human gene editing yet, and there are insufficient ways to regulate it. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9 is relatively simple to use, which means that it is likely to be used outside of specialized research facilities, increasing the risk of abuse of the technology. For example, if the concept of “designer babies,” in which genetic editing is used to design children with specific looks or abilities, becomes a reality, beyond preventing disease, it could exacerbate social inequality and create new forms of hierarchy.
In addition, the different research ethics standards in different countries require unified regulation and discussion at the international level. This study was conducted in China first because research ethics standards are lax compared to other countries, which suggests that ethics may be ignored in favor of research competitiveness. We need to think deeply about how far these technologies can be allowed and what ethical standards humanity should uphold.

The need for discussion and public awareness for the future of society

The most important thing is to keep the general public interested and aware of the changes in science. Given that gene editing technologies could have a major impact on the future of society, public scientific knowledge is essential for building a social consensus around them. Therefore, methods for educating and communicating scientific knowledge must continue to be developed. Scientists need to think about ways to communicate their work to the public, and legislators and ethicists need to work to ensure that institutions and ethics keep up with the pace of technological advances.
CRISPR/Cas9 is a technology that crosses the boundaries of science and medicine and requires public discussion. In the past, humanity has faced various threats and challenges as technology has advanced, and has overcome them in different ways. The changes that CRISPR/Cas9 will bring will have a social impact comparable to that of the Industrial Revolution, and the question is how we will wisely navigate this massive change.