Ethics in Bioengineering

Running head: ETHICS IN BIOENGINEERING
ETHICS IN BIOENGINEERING
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1ETHICS IN BIOENGINEERING
The aim of this essay is to discuss ethics related to the Chinese case in November
2018 where a researcher altered the genome of two embryos prior to implantation and the
ethics related to the genomic engineering. He Jiankui used the gene editing technology of
Crispr-Cas9 (Nytimes.com 2019). According to the news published in the science journals
from China as well as of the world, this particular experience has opened the gate for further
research on the human genes which was till date limited to the agriculture and rearing
livestock. The scientist has aimed to find out ways to modify the genes of the embryo who
have one parent affected with HIV positivity. In this case of genome editing in the human
germline editing, has faced huge ethical questions. As it is associated with the alteration of
the genes affecting the natural characteristics of the bodies that is passed down to the future
generations, this technologies cannot be supported. Regarding this experiments of the
Chinese genetic engineer relating to the usage of CCR5 for creating babies immune to some
severe decreases including HIV can be effective for the time being but is potential to be
threatening for the future generation (H 2019). Despite the fact that the scientist has used the
Crispr-Cas9 for making this experiments more accurate and easy to be conducted, there are
ethical questions of doing such research so easily without being prevent but the controlling of
the scientific guidelines of China and ethical legitimacy groups (Nationalacademies.org
2019).
The genetic engineers use genetic modification process through various types of tolls
or techniques and change or modify the genetic makeup of the organisations. It is also
relating to the method of removing genetic materials from one species of animals and plants
to the other and make a new species (Nationalacademies.org 2019). This process is also
implemented in the experiment in creating human babies by He Jiankui. As stated by the
Chinese scientist, in the international human genome editing summit arranges in Hong Kong,
he wanted to mirror the natural mutation found in the small percentage of people that make

2ETHICS IN BIOENGINEERING
them resistant to the virus of HIV (Theguardian.com 2019). This process of altering the
genome of two embryos prior to implantation has resulted into the birth of two girls Nana and
Lulu who were completely healthy since their birth (Nationalacademies.org 2019). Along
with the detailed discussion of the merits of this type of bio engineering, the essay will also
discuss the ethics around genomic engineering particularly associated with somatic cell
therapy; prenatal therapy, agricultural crops and livestock.
In recent years, the scientists have discovered the relatively easy was for editing genes
which is the strand of the human DNA for governing the body. In this regard, the Crisper-
Cas9 works as the tools which makes it possible to operate on the DNA supply a needed gene
or the disable ones which is causing problems (Yourgenome.org (2019). As pointed out by
the Chinese scientist He Jiankui, he had used this particular tool to modify another gene
named CCR5 in a number of embryos created through IVF for the couples with the HIV
positive fathers. In order to understand how Crisor-Cas9 works, the composition and process
must be understood (Nationalacademies.org 2019). This particular system is consisted of two
key molecules which introduce a change or mutation into the DNA. These include an enzyme
called Cas9 which acts as the pair of molecular scissors that cuts the two strands of DNA at
specific location in the genome so that the bits of DNA can be added or removed. Another
part of this system is the price of RNA which is called the guide RNA or gRNA. This
consists of the small pieces of predesigned RNA sequence about the 20 bases long and
located within the longer RNA framework. This particular scaffold part binds to the DNA
and the pre-designed sequence guide Cas9 to the right part of the genome. This ensures that
the Cas9 enzyme particularly cuts the right point of the genome (Yourgenome.org 2019).
According to the genetic engineering, this gRNA is designed to find out and bind the
specific sequence of the DNA. The Cas9 only follows the guide RNA to some location in
DNA sequence and cuts the both strands of the DNA. At this point of process, the element

3ETHICS IN BIOENGINEERING
recognises whether the DNA is damaged hence tries to damage this. It is the most effective
use of this process and the scientists or the genetic engineers use the DNA repair machinery
for the changes in the genome. In the case of giving birth of twin babies in China by using
this particular system has different issues questioning merits of this system
(Nationalacademies.org 2019). He, a genome editor who used the system altering the genome
of two embryos prior to implantation, and published many YouTube videos reading this
particular study. In all of his videos he had stated that he has impregnated a woman with
embryos for experimenting the efficiency of this system. These embryos had been edited to
disable genes which allow HIV for infecting cells (Nationalacademies.org 2019). This is how
he had targeted the gene known as CCR5 as this is well studied among the scientist. In
addition to this, he had selected this particular gene as the mutation of this gene offers
protection against the HIV infection which has a significant social in the society of China
(Actionbioscience.org 2019).
In detailing the application or implications of CCR5, it can be stated that the
efficiency and simplicity are the main advantage. Secondly, the Crispr-Cas9has been used for
the treatment of range of medical conditions having genetic components associated with them
which also include Cancer, high cholesterol and hepatitis B. Therefore, the merits of this
process of human embryo gene editing can be pointed out. The CCR5 protein has been the
subject of research for the scientists in the field of HIV since 1990s and becoming gradually
popular in reducing the risks of severe or fatal infectious diseases (Sataline and Sample
2019). This has also been shown for enhancing the leaning on mice. The CCR5 protein is
expressed on surface of immune cells and the mutation of CCR5-Δ32 can make the carriers to
be resistant to the HIV (Yourgenome.org 2019). In the case of Him, his work is based on this
mutation which is found only in the 10% of Europeans. His slides disclose the fact that he
had produced three types of mutations in the twins.