This blog post examines the scientific potential of CRISPR gene editing technology alongside the ethical and social controversies it raises.
Gene Editing Technology: An Innovation That Will Change Humanity’s Future?
In July 2018, shocking news emerged that Chinese scientists had edited human embryos. This signified that human gene editing—long considered the domain of God and taboo, something only seen in movies or novels—had actually occurred. Although this experiment used fertilized eggs with congenital genetic defects that made normal development impossible, preventing the birth of a complete individual, it proved that human gene editing had entered the realm of technical feasibility.
The pace of modern scientific advancement is faster than ever before. Particularly in the field of life sciences, research pushing the boundaries of human life—such as gene editing, cell regeneration, and artificial organ research—is being attempted one after another. These technologies are advancing beyond disease treatment to stages where they could manipulate the human life cycle or extend lifespan, raising philosophical and ethical questions about human identity and life itself. Gene editing, among them, is the most controversial technology. Due to its far-reaching implications, it has become a topic requiring deep discussion not just within the scientific community but across society as a whole.
In fact, the concept of human genetic manipulation has existed for decades in scientific circles and science fiction, but it took a long time to reach the stage of realization. Behind this breakthrough was the discovery of a powerful tool called CRISPR/Cas9. What exactly is CRISPR/Cas9 that made the once-imaginary concept of human gene editing a reality? Furthermore, how should we prepare for the social and ethical changes this technology will bring?
The Discovery of CRISPR/Cas9 and Advances in Life Sciences
CRISPR/Cas9 is a type of ‘genetic scissors’ technology derived from bacteria, an enzyme system capable of cutting specific gene regions with extreme precision. This system offers significantly higher specificity than existing gene editing technologies, enabling rapid and cost-effective genetic editing. This is particularly crucial for human gene editing, as the human genome is vastly larger than microbial genomes, making precise cutting of specific genes extremely difficult. However, CRISPR/Cas9 overcomes this limitation, enabling selective cutting of only the necessary genes within the massive human genome.
The potential of gene editing is not limited to humans. Gene editing in microorganisms like E. coli or yeast has been possible since the 1970s and is widely utilized in practical applications. For instance, editing E. coli genes to mass-produce insulin brought a revolutionary shift in diabetes treatment. Previously, small amounts of insulin were extracted from cows or pigs. However, gene editing enabled E. coli to produce insulin, making mass production possible. This was achieved thanks to restriction enzymes—enzymes capable of cutting specific sites in DNA, which were essential for freely editing genes.
However, restriction enzymes had limitations when dealing with the complex human genome, and CRISPR/Cas9 solved this problem. CRISPR/Cas9 offers higher accuracy and specificity compared to existing technologies, enabling precise cutting and editing only at the desired sites. Furthermore, the experimental process was greatly simplified, reducing the steps from over ten to just one, dramatically cutting the time and cost required for gene editing. Thanks to this innovation, CRISPR/Cas9 has established itself as a powerful tool for gene editing, heralding major changes across society and industry.
The Medical Potential and Ethical Issues of CRISPR/Cas9
Scientists and capital have rushed into the development and commercialization of CRISPR/Cas9, with various patents and venture companies competing to utilize it. One particular strength of CRISPR/Cas9 is its ability to edit the genes of fully grown individuals. This opens the possibility of treating adult patients suffering from diseases caused by genetic defects. Such technological advances are expected to pave new paths in treating and preventing genetic diseases, enabling a groundbreaking leap forward in medicine.
However, the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 also carries unforeseeable ethical risks. While the technology advances rapidly, there is no established social or ethical consensus on human gene editing, and regulatory frameworks remain insufficient. Furthermore, the relatively simple application of CRISPR/Cas9 increases the risk of misuse, as it can be utilized even outside specialized research facilities. For instance, if the concept of ‘designer babies’—creating children with specific physical traits or abilities through gene editing—becomes reality, it could exacerbate social inequality and create new forms of hierarchy.
Furthermore, differing research ethics standards across nations necessitate unified international regulation and discussion. The fact that this research was first conducted in China, where research ethics standards were relatively lax compared to other countries, suggests the possibility that ethics could be disregarded in the pursuit of enhancing research competitiveness. We must deeply consider how far such technology should be permitted and what ethical standards humanity must uphold.
The Need for Discussion and Public Awareness for Future Society
The most crucial aspect is for the general public to maintain consistent interest and understanding of scientific advancements. Given that gene editing technology could profoundly impact future society, public scientific literacy is essential to forge social consensus around it. Therefore, methods for educating and communicating scientific knowledge must be continuously developed. Furthermore, scientists should consider ways to communicate their research to the public more effectively, while legislators and ethicists must strive to ensure that regulations and ethics keep pace with the speed of technological advancement.
CRISPR/Cas9 transcends the boundaries of science and medicine, establishing itself as a technology requiring societal discussion. Throughout history, humanity has faced various threats and challenges alongside technological progress, overcoming these crises through diverse means. The changes CRISPR/Cas9 will bring foreshadow social repercussions comparable to the Industrial Revolution, leaving us with the challenge of how to wisely navigate this monumental shift.
