Abstract
The 1997 film Gattaca is set in a futuristic society in which its members are either “valid,” born with the aid of genetic engineering, or “invalid", conceived by traditional means. While valids qualify for high-level professional employment, in-valids are considered less desirable by society and are relegated to menial jobs. At the time of the film’s release, this type of dystopian society, dominated by genetic engineering, seemed far into the future; however, only twenty years later, the concept of manipulating the genes of human embryos is near reality. The last decade has seen tremendous progression in gene editing technology. In 2011, genome editing was hailed as the Method of the Year by Nature Methods, and the newest tool in the gene editing tool belt, the CRISPR/Cas9 system, was named the 2015 Breakthrough of the Year by Science. CRISPR/Cas technology has been used in research laboratories to edit a cell’s DNA, and when used to edit the DNA of an embryo, termed germline editing, it can permanently change the genetic makeup of the resulting individual and its future offspring. Thus, this technology has the potential to eradicate many deadly genetic diseases in humans, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, and Huntington’s disease.9 Opponents of gene editing of human embryos argue that it will create an era of “new eugenics” and that “designer babies” will foster greater social inequality.
Last Page
33
Recommended Citation
Michael R. Dohn,
Preventing an Era of "New Eugenics": An Argument for Federal Funding and Regulation of Gene Editing Research in Human Embryos,
25
Rich. J.L. & Tech
1
(2024).
Available at:
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/jolt/vol25/iss2/2