© medium.comGenetic Editing: Designer Babies on Sale? Generated by Dall-E.
Heritable genome editing remains prohibited by policies in the overwhelming majority of countries that have any relevant policy, and by a binding European treaty. Support for keeping it legally off limits is widespread, including among scientists working to develop gene therapies. A number of key opponents and skeptics are taking new steps to make their voices heard.
In May, the Global Observatory on Human Genome Editing, a university-based center, organized an international summit on human genome editing. Unlike the previous three summits sponsored by national science academies, its considerations of heritable editing focused on the eugenic implications and other societal risks it would entail.
Soon after, three scientific and biotech industry organizations devoted to cell and gene therapies issued a joint call for a 10-year global ban on heritable genome editing, citing safety concerns, lack of medical need, and social and ethical risks. While a good number of biotech companies and organizations have consistently opposed heritable genome editing, a new joint statement by industry groups that represent thousands of scientists and major biotech companies is a significant development.
These developments bespeak the strength of the case against heritable genome editing. But advocates of heritable genome editing who command enormous financial resources are moving ahead with no regard for its safety, societal, or eugenic risks.
Comment: Related: In the 4 years between 2020-21 and 2023-24, human deaths due to elephant encounters in India increased from 464 to 629