Hi, I'm Jim Denison with Denison Forum, and this is the Daily

19, 2018.

An Ethics Council in the United Kingdom has concluded that changing the DNA of a human

embryo could be morally permissible if such changes are in the child's best interests and do not create

further inequalities in society. This is a monumental

and troubling announcement. Let's begin with some background. In addition to my work at Denison

Forum, I serve as the resident scholar for ethics with Baylor Scott and White Health. In this capacity,

I'm especially interested in the ethics of genetic medicine. I've been following advances in genome editing techniques

that have made it possible to correct genetic defects in human embryos.

Since inherited disorders affect millions of people around the world,

such advances offer great potential.

According to the New York Times,

one recently developed technique could conceivably apply to more than 10,000 conditions caused by specific inherited genetic mutations. This technique is relevant to certain breast and ovarian cancers, and to diseases such as Huntington's, TASX, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and some cases of early-onset Alzheimer's.

Genetic editing could also produce more viable embryos for in vitro fertilization.

This procedure involves the creation of embryos in the laboratory which are tested for viability

before being implanted in the mother's womb.

Repairing defective embryos could lead to fewer discarded or frozen embryos.

If you believe life begins a conception as I do, this is an important factor.

However, the negative possibilities of embryonic gene editing are frightening.

If an embryo can be edited genetically to prevent disease, could it also

be altered to enhance capacities? For instance, one genetic hormone known as EPO is linked to muscle

activity. Could an embryo be engineered to produce more EPO and thus enhance muscle strength?

...