Before analysing the ethical and philosophical aspects of selection, creation and modification technologies , I made sure to get a clear grounding in the scientific facts regarding the technology. I conducted in-depth interviews with three leading scientists: Robin-Lovell Badge at the Francis Crick Institute, Malte Spielmann at the Max Planc Institute for Molecular Genetics, and Tony Perry from the University of Bath. These interviews helped clarify what is possible to achieve with genome editing technologies; and which methods of genome editing would be technically plausible in the short and medium term.
Next I analysed two philosophical concepts of relevance to genome editing ‘enhancement’ and ‘eugenics’. This resulted in two publications. One chapter titled ‘Human Enhancement: Conceptual Clarity and Moral Significance’ was accepted for publication in the edited collection “The Ethics of Human Enhancement: Understanding the Debate” published by Oxford University Press. My paper on Eugenics titled ‘21st Century Eugenics’ was accepted for publication in the edited collection “The Oxford Handbook of Reproductive Ethics” also published by Oxford University Press.
The next stage of my project involved reviewing the ethical arguments in favour and against germline gene editing. The resulted in the publication of an article titled ‘The Ethics of Germline Gene Editing’, in the Journal of Applied Philosophy. This was the first article to provide an overarching look at the ethics of using genome editing technologies to alter the human germline.
Next I looked at the obligations of parents with respect to selection, creation and modification technologies . I argued that just as it is morally permissible for parents to use PGD to avoid disease in their children, it is morally permissible for them to use genome editing in the same way. This resulted in a chapter that is forthcoming in an edited collected titled “Autonomy and Wellbeing in Bioethics: European Perspectives”.
Next I looked at the regulation of selection, creation and modification technologies. After a careful review of the legislation around the world, I noted the vast discrepancies between the regulation of genome editing, and other reproductive technologies like gamete screening and PGD. I argued that there was no moral justification for these discrepancies. This work resulted in an article titled “If you can screen for brown eyes, you should be able to edit out genetic disease”, published in The Conversation.
Finally, I examined the effect of genome editing technologies on future generations. The use of GGE in research will greatly increase our knowledge of development and could lead to novel treatments for disease. GGE also has enormous potential as a clinical tool. It could soon be used to prevent simple genetic diseases; and eventually to reduce the incidents of polygenic diseases. The resulted in an article titled “Gene editing and the health of future generations’, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.
