Should Scientists Edit Human Genes?
You may have read the news some time ago that a Chinese scientist claims to have edited the genetic information of two babies to make them HIV-resistant. His team supposedly used the CRISPR Cas9 gene-editing technology that was discovered a few years ago. Scientists have been using CRISPR to experiment on low-order animals and plants to discover what gene-editing does to a creature and its offspring. This Chinese scientist’s work was roundly criticized as unethical by scientists and ethicists and condemned by the Chinese government and the hospital where the scientist worked.
Questions for Christians to Ask
What does this story look like in light of the Gospel? Is manipulating genes, in humans or other creatures, “playing God,” or is it just another means of health and healing, using a tool that God gave us in order to do good work? (He could have hidden the CRISPR Cas9 forever if He wanted.) Isn’t it good to make people immune to HIV/AIDS? How does this fit into the great story of mankind’s Fall, the effects of the Fall on humanity, and our role in bringing about restoration in cooperation with God?
Power and Human Nature
Gene manipulation in the lab has been controversial since it was first attempted. Even though science changes much in each generation, human nature is incredibly consistent: we are sinful. So, any tool that can do great good can also be used to bring about tremendous evil. Medical technology has brought us hospitals, preventative treatments, cures for diseases, and many ways help one another flourish. But technology also brought about chemical warfare, abortion, and the horrors of systematic genocide.
Gene-editing technology is scary because anything we do to alter the genetic code of a creature affects every generation of that creature (and possibly creatures or environments that interact with it) for the rest of time. You can’t hit “undo” on a change to a thing’s genetic blueprint. As Spiderman learned, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Why did God entrust this knowledge to humans? How might our sin affect its use?
I believe that the Chinese scientist, whether or not he has a robust moral philosophy, committed a grave sin by acting as a rogue without a community of accountability. If what he’s saying is true, he experimented on human beings. We are not pea plants or guinea pigs; we are creatures made in the image of God. All humans should be treated with dignity and care. “Let’s try this and see what happens” is an approach that should only be used in emergency situations when options are limited, not as a matter of practice in a lab that deals with human babies. I pray that the scientist is lying or wrong about what he’s accomplished. But if it’s real, I pray that he and anyone who worked with him are brought to justice.
Is it Moral?
Will we ever be able to morally edit human genes? I’m not a moral philosopher, but I think it’s unlikely. I believe God allowed humans to discover this technology so we can do good things like increase crop yields to feed the poor, or create sterile mosquitos to decrease disease. CRISPR Cas9 is an amazing tool that can benefit humanity in many ways. But it’s a huge new leap to begin tinkering with human beings; we’re unlike anything else in creation.
Having said that, I don’t know that we should entirely rule out human gene-editing too soon. This is an important discussion for scientists, ethicists, and lawmakers to have.
There are many questions to explore: Are there any circumstances where editing the human genome could be moral? Perhaps after significant studies have been undertaken? Under supervision of some accountability group that aims to prevent people from Eugenics-type actions (like creating “designer babies” or eliminating some kinds of disabled people)? Only to cure certain diseases? There might be limited uses for gene editing that are acceptable. But, once that cat is out of the bag, will there be any way to control it?
Christians need to participate in this conversation, and we must be educated, aware, and ready to lead. We might not have special insight into the science, but we have plenty of insight into moral reasoning.
Humanity and Suffering
There is also the question of what it means to be human - we are more than our genetic code, and we are not merely animals. While it is good for scientists to work to cure diseases and decrease suffering, we have to realize that suffering is part of what it means to be human, and humanity has been shaped by suffering to be what we are today. At what point do we admit that some suffering is unavoidable (until Jesus returns to renew all things)? What are we willing to risk to avoid pain? Is it worth it?
All new treatments and technologies come with risk, and I am glad that medical researchers have taken many risks in the past. But in the case of CRISPR Cas9, we’re risking more than some unfortunate side effects or occasional drug failures. In this case, we risk harm to our descendants, and we have a responsibility to love them well.
Though we can and should work to reduce suffering, we must accept the fact that much of what makes life hurt is outside of our control. People will suffer. But Christians believe that suffering can be used for good, for God’s purposes of redemption and reconciliation. When we surrender our suffering to Him, God works out His will in us in beautiful ways. The redemption of the world took place through the suffering of Jesus on the cross. To suffer is a bad thing, but it is not the worst thing, and when we are weighing our responses to suffering and the risks involved, we should keep that in mind.
Conclusion
Gene editing in human beings is immoral at this point - we simply don’t have enough experience and knowledge to predict the outcomes of such experimentation, and it’s not worth sacrificing people’s safety or lives. I tend to believe it will never be moral to edit the human genome, but that’s a discussion to be had among people who understand these issues at a deep level and know the ways this technology can be abused.
As a non-scientific person, I think we should be excited about the possibilities of CRISPR Cas9, but we need to support a robust ethical system of checks and security around any bio-technology that can affect the human race. We can’t all become experts on genetics, but we can inform ourselves enough to speak intelligently and expect our leaders to do the same.