Legal and Ethical Concerns Regarding Gene Editing

ABSTRACT: The field of genetics has given rise to technology that will revolutionize the biological sciences: the powerful gene-editing tool known as CRISPR-Cas9. Between medical progress, ultimate new age cure for diseases and the risk of altering human DNA in an irreversible way, the legal challenges of applying CRISPR in the health context, along with the regulatory and ethical issues that might arise must be approached with increased responsibility. A main goal or a variety of purposes? Enhancement or gene editing to improve normal human traits, changes from edited genomes that might be inherited - repercussions of the new gene-editing technology could result in altering human DNA. Current international legislation and interpretation, global consensus worth pursuing on this subject and future regulations required.

KEYWORDS: CRISPR technology, designer babies, gene editing, moral vs. medical benefits, ethical vs. law