1
|
Xafis V, Schaefer GO, Labude MK, Zhu Y, Holm S, Foo RSY, Lai PS, Chadwick R. Germline genome modification through novel political, ethical, and social lenses. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009741. [PMID: 34499641 PMCID: PMC8428543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Much has been written about gene modifying technologies (GMTs), with a particularly strong focus on human germline genome editing (HGGE) sparked by its unprecedented clinical research application in 2018, shocking the scientific community. This paper applies political, ethical, and social lenses to aspects of HGGE to uncover previously underexplored considerations that are important to reflect on in global discussions. By exploring 4 areas-(1) just distribution of HGGE benefits through a realist lens; (2) HGGE through a national interest lens; (3) "broad societal consensus" through a structural injustice lens; and (4) HGGE through a scientific trustworthiness lens-a broader perspective is offered, which ultimately aims to enrich further debates and inform well-considered solutions for developments in this field. The application of these lenses also brings to light the fact that all discussions about scientific developments involve a conscious or unconscious application of a lens that shapes the direction of our thinking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Xafis
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - G. Owen Schaefer
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Markus K. Labude
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yujia Zhu
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Soren Holm
- Centre for Social Ethics and Policy, Department of Law, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Center for Medical Ethics, HELSAM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Roger Sik-Yin Foo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health Systems, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Poh San Lai
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruth Chadwick
- School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen Q, Ma Y, Labude M, Schaefer GO, Xafis V, Mills P. Making sense of it all: Ethical reflections on the conditions surrounding the first genome-edited babies. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 5:216. [PMID: 34395922 PMCID: PMC8340653 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16295.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In November 2018 the birth of the first genome-edited human beings was announced by Chinese scientist, He Jiankui. The ensuing ethical controversy, institutional investigations and legal proceedings led to the revision of standards, rules and procedures at many levels. Arguably, however, these developments have not fundamentally changed the conditions or the culture that nourished He Jiankui's vaulting ambition in the first place and enabled it to find expression. In this paper we explore the clinical, regulatory and societal circumstances of the 'gene-edited baby' case, the political, cultural and economic conditions that created a radical and dangerous climate for biotechnology innovation, and the responsibilities of the international research community, many of whose members were apprised of Dr He's intentions. The aim is not to heap anathemas on the heads of implicated individuals but to draw attention to the need for different communities (researchers, authorities and domestic publics) to play a part actively in the governance of biomedical innovation and for research to be bridled by human values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Centre for Bioethics, Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yonghui Ma
- Centre for Bioethics, Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Markus Labude
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - G Owen Schaefer
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Vicki Xafis
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Peter Mills
- Nuffield Council on Bioethics, London, WC1B 3JS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen Q, Ma Y, Labude M, Schaefer GO, Xafis V, Mills P. Making sense of it all: Ethical reflections on the conditions surrounding the first genome-edited babies. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:216. [PMID: 34395922 PMCID: PMC8340653 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16295.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In November 2018 the birth of the first genome-edited human beings was announced. The ensuing ethical controversy, institutional investigations and legal proceedings led to the revision of standards, rules and procedures at many levels. Arguably, however, these developments have not fundamentally changed the conditions or the culture that nourished He Jiankui's vaulting ambition in the first place and enabled it to find expression. In this paper we explore the clinical, regulatory and societal circumstances of the 'gene-edited baby' case, the political, cultural and economic conditions that created a radical and dangerous climate for biotechnology innovation, and the responsibilities of the international research community, many of whose members were apprised of Dr He's intentions. The aim is not to heap anathemas on the heads of implicated individuals but to draw attention to the need for different communities (researchers, authorities and domestic publics) actively to play a part in the governance of biomedical innovation and for research to be bridled by human values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Centre for Bioethics, Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yonghui Ma
- Centre for Bioethics, Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Markus Labude
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - G Owen Schaefer
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Vicki Xafis
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Peter Mills
- Nuffield Council on Bioethics, London, WC1B 3JS, UK
| |
Collapse
|