Ethical Violations in Healthcare: A Case Study of Gene Editing Experiment

This article discusses the unethical gene editing experiment carried out by a Chinese scientist and the possible violations of ethical principles and relationships between healthcare professionals and patients. It also explains the impact of the consequences and how healthcare practice should be done.

Healthcare

Table of Contents
Background of the topic.............................................................................................................2
Determining and explaining possible violations of ethical principle and unethical
relationships between healthcare professionals and patients.....................................................2
Impact of the consequences.......................................................................................................3
How the healthcare practice should be done..............................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................4
1

Background of the topic
A Chinese scientist claimed that he assisted to make the first edited genome babies in the
world. He Jiankui impregnated with embryos women to develop twin girls. The scientist
disabled the HIV genetic pathways uses for infecting cells. The claims of the scientist were
not being examined through genome testing and also not published in any peer-reviewed
journal. CRISPR genome editing tool was used for disabling gene which is known as CCR5
that encodes protein allowing HIV for entering into the cell (Belluz, 2019). The Southern
University of Science and Technology stated that the experiments of the scientist were not
known as he was on a leave. The government of China found that the scientist violated the
state rules and laws seriously for achieving personal fortune and fame. The experiment
carried out by the scientist is considered to be unethical. It is very much important for an
individual to follow the ethical guidelines while carrying out his or her duty.
Determining and explaining possible violations of ethical principle and unethical
relationships between healthcare professionals and patients
He Jiankui violated ethical principles by using potentially ineffective and unsafe gene editing
techniques on the children. The scientist violated legal rules and regulations because the idea
is not acceptable. CRISPR was used for the first time on editing the embryos for
impregnating women. The scientist did not reveal the identities of the parents and babies
involved. Apart from this, only some data were being shared in an Excel spreadsheet. Many
researchers also examined the experiment but it was difficult to understand (Cyranoski &
Ledford, 2018). The government also instructed to carry out medical supervision for the
babies. The Southern University of Science and Technology stated that the scientist was
being on unpaid leave and they were not aware of the research. The research was being
carried by violating the ethical rules and regulations of the University. CRISPR was used for
editing human embryos depicting a violation of the academic codes of conduct and ethics.
He Jiankui did not follow the ethical rule and it is considered to be unethical conduct. In the
context of healthcare professionals and the patient's relationship, the healthcare professional
has to carry out work for the welfare of the patient. In this case, He Jiankui carried out an
inappropriate experiment that can impose a significant impact on both the mother and her
babies. An understanding of ethics of care can assist the healthcare professionals to consider
her or his high professional standards as the moral imperative (Bingcun & Zimo, 2018). The
2

ethical principle promotes the best interest of the patient and protects the patient from harm.
The scientist did not consider the best interest of the mother and also did not think about
providing protection to the patient from harm. The scientific rules and regulations were
broken by the scientist by carrying out potentially unproven and dangerous technique. It is
the duty of the health professionals to be responsible and provides a high standard of care to
the patients.
Nonmaleficence means inflicting or non-harming the patient for reaching to a beneficial
result. Harm and its consequences need to be taken into account by an individual during the
ethical decision-making process. He Jiankui had done an experiment which consists of
negative consequences and it is not an ethical decision taken by him (Husted & Husted,
2008). A healthcare professional should commit to decreasing harmful events and medical
errors. A healthcare professional should avoid actions that can likely to cause harm to the
patient. The experiment carried out by He Jiankui considered of high risk because it was an
unproven technique. In the science community, many people were not satisfied or agreed
with the method. All the healthcare professionals are being directed by the professionalism
principles in upholding and honouring the well being and interests of their patients (Espejo,
2010). The case depicts the unethical relationship between the patient and the scientist. The
scientist did not take permission from the University and also from the law before carrying
out the experiment. The healthcare process needs to be carried out in an appropriate manner
as per the legal laws.
Impact of the consequences
The gene editing tool Crispr was being used by the scientist by altering specific DNA strand.
The gene editing can assist to avoid the heritable diseases by changing or deleting wearisome
coding in the embryos. The experts are worried that the genome of the embryo can lead to a
negative impact not only on the individual but also the future generations that would inherit
of the same changes (Brown & Brown, 2011). The gene editing is still associated with
capable of creating genetic issues later and early in life consisting of development of cancer.
The experiment exposed the health of the normal children to a high-risk zone with the gene
editing consisting of no benefit. The experiment was inappropriate and dangerous which led
to high risk and negative consequences for the babies. Many experts did not support the
unethical work carried out by He Jiankui. The government also took actions against him for
his unethical conduct (Grover, 2007).
3

How the healthcare practice should be done
The healthcare practice would have been carried by He Jiankui in an appropriate and ethical
manner. The technique needs more improvement and development. It was not necessary for
the scientist to carry out the harmful and risky experiment. The rules and regulations would
have been followed by the scientist before carrying out such an experiment (Tan, 2011).
There was no such information which was being published by the scientist related to the
healthcare process. He Jiankui also did not take help from other experts. The healthcare
practice would have been carried out within an ethical framework in order to ensure the
safety of the babies and her mother.
4

References
Belluz, J. (2019). Is the CRISPR baby controversy the start of a terrifying new chapter in
gene editing? Retrieved from
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/11/30/18119589/crispr-gene-editing-he-
jiankui
Bingcun, L., & Zimo, C. (2018). Gene scientists debate ethics of experiment -
Chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved from
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201811/29/WS5bff1f02a310eff30328ba7b.html
Brown, S., & Brown, M. (2011). Ethical issues and security monitoring trends in global
healthcare (10th ed.). Hershey, PA: Medical Information Science Reference.
Cyranoski, D., & Ledford, H. (2018). Genome-edited baby claim provokes international
outcry. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07545-0
Espejo, R. (2010). Ethics (8th ed.). Farmington Hills. MI: Greenhaven Press.
Grover, J. (2007). Healthcare (6th ed.). Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Husted, J., & Husted, G. (2008). Ethical decision making in nursing and healthcare (7th ed.).
New York: Springer Pub. Co.
Tan, J. (2011). New technologies for advancing healthcare and clinical practices (12th ed.).
Hershey, PA: Medical Information Science Reference.
5