In 2013, a revolutionary discovery unlocked the capability for editing of the human genome in ways that was previously thought to be science fiction. Though the benefits that it provides seem endless, it may perpetuate an already inevitable threat to humanity.
CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR-Cas9 is a modern day miracle. The composition of molecules that comprise CRISPR allow a precise and non-destructive editing of DNA. Part of it’s molecular composition allow it to be guided to a specific area within the DNA chain, and cleanly cut it to either remove unwanted DNA, or insert a newly desired DNA sequence.
With this technology, geneticists can in theory conceive of a way to cure countless numbers of diseases and disorders that have a genetic component. On top of that, it could even be used to seek out desired genetic tendencies that may exist rarely in humans (or not in humans at all), and replicate those tendencies in others.
Imagine that a gene variation was found that makes a person naturally resistant to HIV. With CRISPR, that gene sequence could be taken from those who naturally possess it, and precisely placed within the appropriate DNA sequence of others who are HIV+, allowing their own bodies to develop a new way to combat the virus. To take it a step further, that same gene variation could be added to human embryos, effectively planting an HIV vaccine into the embryo, allowing it to replicate “naturally” as those cells develop into a child….Now stop imagining all of this, and realize that this is one of the scenarios that CRISPR is actively being studied to do. Those HIV resistant gene variations exist, and are being studied as a candidate for insertion with CRISPR into HIV+ patients.
While the efficacy of this particular treatment is still unclear at the moment, it provides a clear picture of the kind of medical miracles that could be in store not all that far in the future.
What’s holding CRISPR technology back?
It’s no surprise that the idea of humans editing humans, and human embryo’s can end up being a tad bit controversial. There’s a pretty large movement of individuals that think genetically modified plant based food is a bad idea, let alone the number of folks out there that will take issue with genetically modified people. As a result of the controversy, CRISPR gene editing in humans is currently banned in most countries. No doubt this is going to slow the progress of human based gene therapies, but it won’t stop it altogether.
The testing of gene editing in animals continues on with less trepidation (not that there’s no controversy with animal testing). And not all countries have banned CRISPR technology outright. A clinic in Kiev Ukraine has put CRISPR to use by adding the genetic material of a “third parent” to the embryos of women who are infertile, allowing couples who otherwise couldn’t procreate to have children that are “mostly” their own genetically.
What’s wrong with all of this sciency goodness?
It might seem hard to find fault in technology that can make the human race infinitely more healthy, lengthen our lives, reduce infant mortality, combat cancer and disease, and all but end certain types of infertility. All of those things are amazing, and could drastically improve the quality of life of those that might otherwise be afflicted with disease and disorders that make their lives short, difficult, and full of pain. I sorely want this technology to give solace and relief to those that need it most…but it comes with a price.
There are certainly critics of gene editing that fear of unintended human mutations that lead to all matter of gastly human abominations. Then there are those that fear only the rich will have access to such editing, allowing the wealth gap to become even greater, leading to a race of rich super humans that the rest of us lowly generic beings can’t compete with. I tend to classify those potential problems as unlikely extremes.
What might be the biggest issue is a bit more mundane; population growth
With a global population of 7.7 billion today, we’re only beginning to wake up to the realities of what continued population growth means for our future. To be fair, some estimates do show that population growth will eventually slow or stop altogether. According to pewresearch.org the global population is estimated to be nearly 11 billion by 2100, but with a growth of less than 0.1% annually.
Even without arguing the challenges of dealing with 11 billion people on the earth, perhaps we should worry about how those numbers might change if a huge portion of disease, disorders, and fertility issues, are eliminated. What happens to that 11 billion number as global life expectancy averages spike upward. Things are already getting dicey in regards to feeding, housing, providing drinking water, city infrastructures, and waste/pollution management to the current people of the world. The prospect of world-wide famines, water shortages, and intensified climate change due to an ever-expanding populous is a terrifying thought.
Solutions aren’t easy
I can’t suggest that we as a human race ignore the chance to make the world a healthier place. We shouldn’t pick and choose what ailments to eliminate to keep the human population in check, because we all know that inequality and racism would find it’s way into that process. If we have an opportunity to fix a human problem, I believe we have an obligation of decency to pursue that fix. If CRISPR turns out to be as magical as it really seems, I say bring it on (carefully). But we can’t ignore what the outcome might mean to population growth. In all honesty, even without CRISPR affecting life expediencies, population growth and all of the infrastructure and environmental issues that surround it need to become a focus of our governments, communities, and individual minds. Humans can achieve amazing things when we sink our combined intelligence and energy into a problem. Those same human characteristics that lead to the industrial revolution, the internet, and modern medicine, can solve the largest global problem in front of us. I hope we don’t fail to make it a priority.
