Making sense of heritable human genome editing: Scientific and ethical considerations.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and ethical commentary without primary empirical data.
PubMed 34175039 · doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.12.008
What was done
The author conducted a narrative review examining the scientific, ethical, social, and governance issues surrounding heritable human genome editing (HHGE). The paper examines proposed applications in gametes and embryos, comparing HHGE to existing assisted reproductive technologies such as preimplantation genetic testing and mitochondrial replacement techniques, and reviews objections, impacts on human dignity, public dialogue terminology, and regulatory frameworks.
What was found
The abstract reports no empirical numbers or quantitative data. Conceptually, the review articulates that HHGE functions as an assisted reproductive technology aimed at preventing disease transmission during reproduction rather than serving as a therapy for an existing individual. It notes that non-disease applications and interventions beyond disease prevention present more severe ethical and scientific complications.
Why it matters
The review clarifies that heritable genome modification operates within the paradigm of reproductive technology and disease prevention rather than traditional somatic medical therapy, providing a framework for policy and bioethical debates.
Limits
This is a non-systematic narrative review and conceptual commentary offering theoretical perspectives without primary empirical, clinical, or quantitative data. It does not measure or evaluate the technical efficacy, off-target rates, or safety metrics of specific gene-editing platforms.
Cited by
- supports Somatic genetic edits modify DNA in individual cells such that genetic consequences are passed on to daughter cells within the individual, but are not passed on to the next generation of humans because sperm and egg cells are not edited.