Is Genome Editing Ethical?

But gene editing is associated with a range of ethical issues such as safety, equal access and consent. Bioethicists and researchers believe that gene editing in humans must be proven to be safe before it can be offered as a treatment option.

Is genome editing moral?

Genome editing of germ cells (embryos, sperm and egg cells) was initially very controversial and caused some to call for an outright ban on this application. 6 Despite this, there has been a broad consensus among expert bodies that genome editing in research is morally permissible (see table 1 for summary).

What is the ethical debate for gene editing?

The idea of germline gene therapy is controversial. While it could spare future generations in a family from having a particular genetic disorder, it might affect the development of a fetus in unexpected ways or have long-term side effects that are not yet known.