Ética na Genética: Modificação de embriões humanos | Mayana Zatz - USP Talks #26

Summary

The transcript explores the ethical and scientific implications of gene editing, specifically discussing the controversial case of Chinese twins whose genomes were altered for HIV resistance. It highlights the potential of gene editing to treat genetic diseases and cancers, but also raises concerns about unintended consequences, such as off-target mutations and the ethical issues surrounding genetic enhancement. The speaker delves into the possibilities of modifying embryos to prevent inherited diseases and enhancing human traits like athletic ability, while cautioning against the unforeseen risks for future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The scientific community is still learning about gene-editing techniques, particularly in embryos, and there are significant ethical and technical concerns involved.
• 😀 Gene editing in embryos could offer solutions for genetic diseases, but it carries risks, such as unintended genetic alterations that might affect future generations.
• 😀 A major concern with gene-editing in embryos is that modifying one gene could accidentally alter other genes, leading to unpredictable consequences.
• 😀 The case of the Chinese twins who were edited for HIV resistance sparked global controversy, as it was conducted without proper ethical approval and oversight.
• 😀 There is a distinction between editing genes in embryos versus modifying the genes of adult patients, as gene therapy in adults is already being tested for conditions like leukemia and HIV.
• 😀 Gene-editing technologies, like CRISPR, are already being used to treat blood diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia by modifying the patient's own cells before reintroducing them.
• 😀 There is potential for using gene-editing technologies in cancer immunotherapy, where a patient’s immune cells are edited to better recognize and destroy tumors.
• 😀 The editing of human genes raises ethical concerns about using genetic modifications for non-medical purposes, such as enhancing athletic abilities or intelligence.
• 😀 There is a debate about whether it would be ethical to use gene editing to create genetically superior individuals, similar to how cosmetic surgery enhances physical appearance.
• 😀 While gene editing holds promise for curing genetic diseases, there are fears that altering the genetic code in embryos could lead to irreversible changes that are passed on to future generations.

Q & A

What is CRISPR and how is it related to genetic editing?

CRISPR is a powerful genetic editing technology that allows scientists to modify genes with precision. It is used to edit the DNA of living organisms, including humans, to correct genetic mutations, potentially treating or curing genetic diseases.

What ethical concerns are associated with genetic editing in embryos?

The ethical concerns regarding genetic editing in embryos include the risk of unintended mutations that could affect future generations, the potential for misuse (such as editing genes for non-medical traits like intelligence or athletic ability), and the lack of ethical oversight in some cases, as seen with the Chinese twins.

What happened in the case of the gene-edited Chinese twins, and why was it controversial?

The case of the gene-edited Chinese twins involved researchers using CRISPR to modify a gene in embryos to make them resistant to HIV. The controversy arose because the experiment was conducted without proper ethical review and oversight, and it raised concerns about the long-term genetic consequences and the potential for unforeseen mutations.

What is the difference between editing genes in embryos and editing genes in adults?

Editing genes in embryos can have long-lasting consequences because any changes made to the genetic code are passed down to future generations. In contrast, gene editing in adults typically focuses on treating medical conditions without affecting future offspring.

What are some potential medical applications of gene editing?

Gene editing has the potential to treat various genetic diseases, such as HIV resistance, blood disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, and some types of cancer. It is also being explored for therapies like immunotherapy, which enhances the immune system's ability to recognize and fight tumors.

How does gene editing in adults, such as with CRISPR, work in the context of diseases like cancer?

In cancer treatment, CRISPR can be used to modify a patient's immune cells to better recognize and attack tumor cells. This process involves extracting the patient's cells, editing them in the lab, and reintroducing them to the body to improve their ability to fight the cancer.

What is the fear associated with editing embryos for genetic diseases?

The fear is that, while editing embryos to correct genetic mutations could prevent inherited diseases, there is a risk of unintended mutations affecting other genes. This could lead to unforeseen consequences, such as new diseases or conditions being passed down through generations.

How does genetic editing differ from genetic enhancement, and what ethical issues arise with enhancement?

Genetic editing for medical purposes involves correcting or preventing genetic diseases, while genetic enhancement aims to modify traits such as intelligence or athletic ability. Ethical concerns with enhancement include the possibility of creating inequality, societal pressure to conform to certain traits, and the potential for misuse.

Can gene editing be used to enhance physical traits like athletic ability or intelligence?

While gene editing technology has the potential to influence physical traits, it is not currently feasible to significantly alter traits like intelligence or athletic ability, as these are influenced by many genes and their interaction with the environment. Enhancing such traits would require complex manipulation of multiple genes.

What is the concern regarding gene editing in sports, and is it ethical?

The concern is that gene editing could be used to enhance athletic performance, giving some individuals an unfair advantage. This raises ethical questions about fairness in competition, as well as the potential for gene editing to become widespread, creating a societal pressure to enhance one's genetic traits for success.