What ethical dilemmas need to be considered when working with CRISPR technology?
The rapid ascent of CRISPR-based technology makes the future very exciting, but it’s also important to consider the ethical implications for its wide-reaching potential while this technology is still relatively young. While questions surrounding cost-effectiveness, availability, and accessibility are relatively easy to process, it is tougher to determine things such as where to draw the line when it comes to germline modifications. Fearful speculation exists about the potential for creating smarter, more athletic, and more aesthetically pleasing designer babies rather than focusing on eradicating genetic diseases. While the technology may exist to facilitate such cosmetic applications, striking the right balance without risking detrimental therapeutic progression will depend on the questions asked by society and the decisions taken by governmental and regulatory bodies in the immediate years to come.