Felicity Boardman:The birth of a child with genetic disease is generally an unexpected event.
Many of the most common genetic conditions still lack effective treatments or cures.
Sickled red blood cells in liver tissue.
(Credit: SB Lucas/Wellcome Collection, CC BY)
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Its an incredibly exciting time for such research both in terms of discovery and diagnostics.
The advent of CRISPR genome editing has catapulted previous efforts in genomics and is being adopted globally.
CRISPR-Cas9 allows scientists to target and activate or silence specific genes.
(Credit: Vrx/Shutterstock.com)
The use of genetic technologies in reproduction isfrequently criticizedfor harboringeugenic undertones.
But genetic selection occurs with or without these technologies.
For example, we make decisions about the genetics of our future offspring when we choose our mate.
We dont ignore these welfare warnings.
Nor is it considered elitist to adhere to them by choice to deliver a healthy baby.
It is true that advances in research rarely lend themselves so quickly to clinical adoption.
But safety is obviously the number one prerequisite for any research development to become medical practice.
Proceeding with such medical advances will always be subject to rigorous oversight.
Sofor many, genome editing and the era ofpersonalized medicine is not something to be feared but embraced.
All babies are designed to some extent when we choose a partner.
The distraction from the good that this technology can do is frustrating as a researcher.
We should not extrapolate the worst possible outcome which encourages unrealistic and disingenuous ideas focusing on dystopian scenarios.
Insights that are highly relevant to decisions about which conditions are suitable candidates for genome editing.
Separation of DNA fragments.
(Credit: Guy Tear/Wellcome Collection, CC BY)
Whats at stake?
This is a concern that has long been raised in relation to informed consent and antenatal screeningfor Downs Syndrome.
This change is likely to have social consequences, as well as biological ones.
Fibrous deposits in pancreas due to cystic fibrosis.
With this, every single condition needs to be appraised and legally approved before it can be tested for.
And ultimately, the decision comes from the parents.
So suggesting that conditions would be eliminated is certainly not the goal of researchers, nor is it realistic.
Take for example cancer radiation therapy, which not only alters, but destroys, the germline.
More research is critical.
