Question

Benefits and negative consequences of developing genetically modified children.

Answer 1

Benefits and negative consequences of developing genetically modified children:

By eliminating “bad” genes from sperm and egg cells—called the “germline”—the genetic modification tools have the potential to permanently wipe out diseases from these modified babies, caused by single mutations in genes, such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease.

On the other hand, there is huge uncertainty about what could go wrong if seemingly troubling genes are eliminated. There are also associated unknown social consequences as well as safety issues in genetically modifying the babies. For example: Consider sickle-cell anemia, an occasionally fatal genetic disorder. Its genes, though clearly harmful, have persisted and spread because, while having two copies of the sickle-cell gene causes anemia, having just one copy happens to provide protection against malaria, one of the most deadly diseases in human history. Had we not known about their benefits, eliminating sickle-cell genes would have proved to be a bad idea.