The Ethics of Genetic Editing
By Sabrina Wang
May 2025
Genetic editing is the ability to modify the genetic material of a life form, whether that’s related to plants, animals, or…humans. First introduced through the modification of vegetation, genetic editing was viewed as a huge breakthrough in scarcity of produce, substantially increasing the quantity of fruits, vegetables, and animals, increasing resistance against disease and durability. As a result, much of our food has become more resistant to volatile weather. Like all things, some consequences result from these activities, but they’re not important enough to be talked about. But, how does this idea switch when we talk about humans?
In 2018, He Jiankui introduced Chinese-edited babies, named Lulu and Nana: he was later sentenced to three years for illegal medical practices. So, it’s safe to say the world isn’t ready to accept genetically modified babies yet, but what would this world look like if we had all agreed it was okay?
CRISPR-Cas9 is the most well-known gene-editing tech to date: it uses a guide RNA to direct the Cas9 enzyme to a location in the DNA and makes a cut to modify genetic material. This means that it can edit out faulty genes, potentially modifying immune systems to increase resistance, treat cancer, and remove hereditary diseases. Of course, there’s also the chance of an unforeseen mutation that results because you removed something you shouldn’t have, so maybe it’s not that great. But this opens endless opportunities for your future offspring! Your daughter no longer has to worry about the diabetic genes in your family or inheriting your weird-looking nose…. Oh, wait.
If genetic editing ever got past the unethical aspect of altering a non-consenting fetus, like most things, the rich would eat first. We’ve only talked about editing genes for medical purposes so far, but what if instead, we changed traits like IQ, physical appearance, or talent? Designer babies refer to using technology to modify traits in a baby, allowing parents to change their babies’ appearance. These babies then grow up to become exceptional individuals with enhanced IQ, looks, talent, and money. Of course, there’s an argument that policies will be set in place to prevent such alteration of non-medical genetic changes, but money makes exceptions.
If you’ve ever felt the gap between the rich and the poor, a world with genetic editing would pretty much enhance that gap by a few hundred times. There is practically zero chance of a person from a humble background making it big because there’s no longer any leverage being talent, smarts, or looks. Whether it's about getting a normal corporate job, taking a girl out for a date, or getting the best mark in your class, there will always be someone better than you. While this is already very true in the current world, genetic editing has the ability to completely transfer the scope of money from a jumpstart to succes into the creator of innate success. The difference that results is you trying to win against the smartest kid in your class Vs trying to win against someone with the cognitive ability of Einstein.
Even if genetic-editing technology becomes widespread, there are still concerns other than every single person probably looking like you in some way or form. For example, the gene pool would significantly decrease, as it would kick out any genes with “undesirable traits”, most likely defined by influential groups. This ends up meaning gene editing can directly reflect eugenic ideals, which refers to eliminating certain genetic traits, and by extension, discriminating against those in minority groups, vaulting the privilege ahead, and leaveing the poor in the dust. So to conclude, human genetic editing isn’t the worst thing to happen, but new responsibilities should be recognized, as mentioned in this article. Otherwise, we risk curing humanity of its humanity, and most of us wouldn’t be first in line.