We live in a time where the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds are increasingly blurred—a Hybrid Analog-Digital Society. The future isn’t just approaching; it’s already here. In this new age, it’s vital to contemplate our intertwined existence with technology and redefine what society means. This blog post captures the enlightening conversation between Marco Ciappelli and Dr. Neal Baer about the potential and pitfalls of CRISPR, a revolutionary technology reshaping human capability and ethical considerations.

Welcome Message

Marco Ciappelli enthusiastically sets the stage for a deeply engaging discussion:

“Hello, everybody. Welcome to another episode of Redefining Society Podcast. I’m thrilled to have Dr. Neal Baer with me today. We were chatting before the show about my other podcast, Audio Signals, where we discuss storytelling. Today, however, we’re here to explore his book about health, technology, and their societal impact.”

The Intersection of Media and Medicine

Dr. Neal Baer, a multifaceted professional—TV writer, producer, and medical doctor—introduces himself and outlines his diverse career:

“Thank you. It’s really nice to be chatting with you from New York City. I live in Paris and Boston because, in Paris, I work as a TV writer and producer—what’s called a showrunner. I worked on shows like ER and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for a total of 18 years. I also created the first master’s degree program in media, medicine, and health at Harvard Medical School.”

The Origin of Dr. Baer’s Interest in CRISPR

Dr. Baer shares how his exposure to devastating genetic diseases as a pediatrician sparked his interest in CRISPR:

“As a pediatrician, I encountered terrible diseases like sickle cell disease, adrenal leukodystrophy, and Tay-Sachs. CRISPR represented a beacon of hope for treating these conditions. Our ability to precisely edit genes could transform lives—an endeavor that has now become a reality.”

Demystifying CRISPR

To make CRISPR’s conversation accessible, Marco Ciappelli asks for a simplified explanation:

“CRISPR is essentially a tool that allows us to cut and paste genetic material. Imagine correcting a typo in a word. Similarly, we can correct genetic ‘typos’ that cause diseases. CRISPR uses enzymes like Cas9 to cut the DNA and replace faulty segments with the correct ones.”

Ethical Dilemmas and Societal Consensus

Dr. Baer discusses the ethical and philosophical questions surrounding genetic editing, focusing on access and the broader societal impact:

“CRISPR raises fundamental issues about who benefits from such groundbreaking technology. These questions aren’t just scientific—they talk about ethics and societal values. For example, while sickle cell disease can now be treated using CRISPR, the cost is prohibitive—between two and three million dollars per person. This disparity raises profound questions about equity and accessibility.”

The Urgent Need for Public Discourse

The conversation shifts towards the importance of public awareness and societal dialogue in addressing these ethical dilemmas:

“We need a democratic approach to discussing CRISPR and other advanced technologies. Public awareness is crucial. The challenge lies in making these discussions accessible and engaging to everyone—not just scientists and policymakers.”

The Future Is Now: Embrace or Caution?

As technology continues to evolve, the hosts discuss where to draw the line between embracing new advancements and exercising caution:

“We must learn from past technological advancements—fossil fuels and plastics—which brought unforeseen consequences. With CRISPR and AI, the stakes are even higher. It’s crucial to balance innovation with caution.”

Conclusion

Dr. Baer emphasizes that his book aims to spark a broader conversation, including diverse voices and perspectives:

“The book The Promise and Peril of CRISPR aims to open up the dialogue to everyone—from scientists to philosophers to everyday people. It covers personal stories, philosophical essays, and scientific perspectives to present a comprehensive view of the promise and challenges that CRISPR brings.”

About the Book

A timely collection of essays on the pressing possibilities and risks of gene-editing technology.

Scientists and genetic engineers are becoming increasingly adept at editing the human genome. How far can—and should—they go in editing future generations? In The Promise and Peril of CRISPR, editor Neal Baer brings together a timely collection of essays by influential bioethicists, philosophers, and geneticists to explore the moral, ethical, and policy challenges posed by CRISPR technology.

We are at a technological and ethical crossroads in grappling with the impacts of genetic editing. Gene-editing technology holds the promise of curing more than 7,000 known genetic diseases. Yet with that promise comes the peril of using CRISPR to edit the human genome, which could not only lead to manipulating human evolution, but also to creating and releasing pathogens capable of wreaking havoc on human, animal, and plant life. Although CRISPR has already cured several genetic diseases, it could also be used to design biological weapons or to edit the embryos of people who can afford to purchase genetic "enhancements" for their children.

What role can and should the public play in discussing the far-reaching implications of gene editing? What oversights should be put in place to prevent a rogue scientist from engineering another baby – as was recently done with twins in China?

Essay contributors offer informed predictions and guidelines for how the uses of CRISPR today will affect life in the future. Decisions we make now may have unpredictable consequences for future generations. For anyone concerned about the uses and potential abuses of gene editing, these essays provide a critical and comprehensive discussion of the central issues surrounding CRISPR technology.

Contributors: Florence Ashley, R. Alta Charo, Marcy Darnovsky, Kevin Doxzen, Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, Gigi Kwik Gronvall, Jodi Halpern, Katie Hasson, Andrew C. Heinrich, Jacqueline Humphries, J. Benjamin Hurlbut, Ellen D. Jorgensen, Peter F. R. Mills, Carol Padden, Marcus Schultz-Bergin, Robert Sparrow, Sandra Sufian, Krystal Tsosie, Ethan Weiss, Rachel M. West

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Resources

The Promise and Peril of CRISPR: https://press.jhu.edu/books/title/12754/promise-and-peril-crispr

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