Please read the attached article on ethics in genetic editing. Pick one of the perspectives you agree with and write a one to one and half page paper using what we have learned in class to support or oppose the ethical issue and/or solution you pick in this article.
Before moving onto the ethics of genetic editing, have each student predict the various ethical issues that the topic hinge on. Once the students are done, have each one get a partner to discuss their predictions and explain what made them come to their predictions.
3.ETHICS OF GENETIC EDITING: THE PROS
A.Rectifying specific genetic diseases
Today, there are over 10,000 diseases created from mutations in a single gene (monogenic diseases) according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There are even more polygenic diseases, or diseases caused by mutations in multiple genes. Because there are so many diseases, and so many deaths as a result, there is clearly a huge need to fix these most prevalent diseases. With the help of CRISPR, which can turn off genes responsible for some of these diseases, our world could have a near disease free future. Currently, most of the research involving genetic editing and the fixing genetic diseases is on monogenic ones. Of these many monogenic diseases, fourteen are being researched to find a solution through gene manipulation.
Disease Mutated Gene
Description
Presence
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)
SERPINA1
Causes lung disease and damage to the liver
1 in every 2,500 (especially of European decent)
Amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis
TTR
Damages the nerves which connect the nervous system to muscles; leads to various major health issues with time
3.5% of African Americans
Beta-thalassemia
HBB
Decreased production of hemoglobin; leads to anemia and a much higher risk
of blood clots
1 in every 10,000
Cystic fibrosis
CFTR
Damages channels that allow the flow of chlorine and water across cell membranes; leads to respiratory and digestive problems
1 in every 2,500 (Caucasian); not as prevalent in other ethnic
groups
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
DMD
Damages the production of dystrophin protein; leads to muscle deficiency
1 in every 3,300 men
Glycogen storage disease la (GSD la)
G6PC
Causes extra amounts of glycogen and fat; leads to liver, kidney, and intestinal
problems
1 in every 125,000
Hemophilia A and B
F8 (Type A) F9 (Type B)
Causes blood clotting deficiencies
A: 1 in every 4,500 men
B: 1 in every 20,000 men
Very rare amongst
women
disease
HTT
Causes deficiencies in Huntington proteins; leads to the deterioration of the nervous system ultimately causing
death
1 in every 20,000 people of European decent
Leber congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10)
CEP290 Most prominent disease that causes blindness in children
1 in every 40,000
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I and II
IDUA (Type 1)
IDS (Type 2)
Prevents the breakdown of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) which are major sugar molecules; leads to the enlargement of tissues and organs
Severe form: 1 in every 100,000 Less severe form: 1 in every 500,000
