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(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Genetically Modified Humans

(DECEMBER-2024)

South Africa became the first country to explicitly permit the use of genome editing to create genetically modified children.

In May, South Africa announced a revision to its national health research guidelines. This change has the potential to make the country the first to endorse genome editing for the creation of genetically modified children.
This development could represent a major breakthrough in genetic modification. However, editing human genes that can be inherited has always been a controversial topic. Many people are concerned about the social implications and the risks involved.

Safety: Due to the possibility of off-target effects (edits in the wrong place) and mosaicism (when some cells carry the edit but others do not), safety is of primary concern.
Informed Consent: Some people worry that it is impossible to obtain informed consent for germline therapy because the patients affected by the edits are the embryo and future generations.
Justice and Equity: As with many new technologies, there is concern that genome editing will only be accessible to the wealthy and will increase existing disparities in access to health care and other interventions.

Genome-Editing Research: Involving Embryos Many people have moral and religious objections to the use of human embryos for research.