The Challenge and Opportunity of Genome Editing | Dr. William Hurlbut
Dec 12, 2020
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Dr. William Hurlbut, a genome editing expert, discusses the transformative potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in genetic modification, the use of CRISPR for treating genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia, the challenges in intervening in genetic conditions, the historical ties of medicine with eugenics, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding human genome editing, emphasizing the need for cautious approach and open discussions on the moral implications.
CRISPR-Cas9 offers revolutionary genetic editing capabilities with potential in agriculture, research, and therapy.
Ethical dilemmas arise from manipulating human genetics, necessitating global discourse on responsible uses.
Genetic editing technologies like CRISPR show promise in eradicating genetic diseases through targeted mutations.
Deep dives
CRISPR-Cas9 Revolutionizes Genetic Editing
CRISPR-Cas9, hailed as the biggest biotech discovery of the century, offers unprecedented capabilities in genetic modification. This Swiss Army knife of tools allows precise deletions, insertions, and manipulations of genes across various organisms, opening doors for advances in agriculture, biomedical research, and therapeutic applications. By providing easy, cost-effective, and highly accurate genetic editing, CRISPR-Cas9 presents a transformative moment in biotechnology, offering immense possibilities in altering living organisms at a fundamental genetic level.
Ethical and Practical Concerns in Human Genetic Engineering
As genetic editing technologies like CRISPR promise revolutionary abilities, profound ethical dilemmas surface regarding their application to human life. The potential to manipulate human genetics raises questions about defining acceptable interventions and ensuring responsible uses. From proposals for human-animal chimeras to debates on enhancing human abilities through genetic modifications, the prospects of altering human biology bring ethical, social, and legal challenges that necessitate global discourse and consideration.
Genetic Modification for Medical Advancements
Genetic editing techniques like CRISPR offer promising avenues for eradicating genetic diseases by targeting specific gene mutations. With the ability to alter genetic material in stem cells and tissues, researchers are on the verge of treating a wide array of genetic disorders, potentially providing cures where traditional therapies have been ineffective. The application of CRISPR technology in clinical trials for conditions like sickle cell anemia marks a pivotal moment in medical research, offering hope for alleviating genetic diseases that have plagued humanity for centuries.
Debating Stem Cell Research and Ethics
Discussions on the controversy surrounding the use of stem cells, particularly embryos left over from IVF clinics, sparked a bitter debate. Questions arose on the morality of using human embryos for research purposes, the creation of embryos with genetic deficits, and the ethical implications of modifying human embryos for scientific advancement. The ethical dilemmas extended to the limits of research on embryos beyond 14 days and the potential consequences of limitless manipulation of human embryos.
Ethical Considerations in Genetic Manipulation and Biotechnology
Exploration into genetic alterations in non-human primates, gene therapy for mitochondrial DNA disorders, and the creation of human brain organoids raised ethical concerns. Delving into the realm of transhumanism, the speaker emphasized the need for caution in blurring the line between scientific progress and ethical boundaries. The discussion extended to the moral implications of altering human nature, genetic modifications in embryos, and the ethical responsibilities tied to advancements in biotechnology.
This lecture was given on November 18, 2020 at Williams College.
For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website: thomisticinstitute.org
Speaker Bio:
William B. Hurlbut, MD, is Adjunct Professor and Senior Research Scholar in Neurobiology at the Stanford Medical School. After receiving his undergraduate and medical training at Stanford University, he completed postdoctoral studies in theology and medical ethics, studying with Robert Hamerton-Kelly, the Dean of the Chapel at Stanford, and subsequently with the Rev. Louis Bouyer of the Institut Catholique de Paris. His primary areas of interest involve the ethical issues associated with advancing biomedical technology, the biological basis of moral awareness, and studies in the integration of theology with the philosophy of biology. He is the author of numerous publications on science and ethics. He has worked with NASA on projects in astrobiology and was a member of the Chemical and Biological Warfare Working group at the Center for International Security and Cooperation. From 2002-2009 Dr. Hurlbut served on the President’s Council on Bioethics. He serves as a Steering Committee Member of the Templeton Religion Trust.
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