Are We Making Superhumans?

There are talks all around the world. Gene editing is a process of making precise changes to the DNA sequence of an organism. It involves modifying or manipulating specific genes, either by deleting or altering them, or by introducing new genes into the DNA.

The most commonly used gene editing tool is CRISPR-Cas9, which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9. CRISPR-Cas9 allows scientists to target specific DNA sequences and make changes with high precision. It utilizes a guide RNA molecule that directs the Cas9 enzyme to the desired location in the genome, where it can cut the DNA. The cell's natural DNA repair mechanisms then come into play, leading to gene modifications such as gene knockout (disabling a gene), gene insertion (adding a new gene), or gene correction (editing a specific part of a gene).

Gene editing can have a significant impact in various fields. In medicine, it offers the possibility of treating genetic diseases by correcting or replacing faulty genes. It could potentially provide personalized treatments based on an individual's unique genetic makeup. Gene editing is also being explored in agriculture to develop crops with improved traits, such as disease resistance or increased yield. Additionally, it has applications in basic scientific research to study gene function and understand the underlying mechanisms of genetic diseases.

However, gene editing also raises important ethical and societal considerations. The ability to modify the human germline (changes that can be passed on to future generations) has particularly raised concerns about unintended consequences, inequality, and the potential for misuse. We literally have the capability to create Modified or “Super" Humans.

We are treating humans with gene editing sequences. In 2019, the first person in the USA was treated with gene editing therapy for a debilitating hereditary disorder. The treatments were successful for the patient and received praised in the medical community

However a year before, in 2018, a Chinese doctor was condemned for created the world’s first gene-edited babies. He grew 2 girls from embryos and modified their DNA with gene editing to resist HIV.

Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing in London in March of this year continued to discuss these issues.

Ethical or not, we now have the ability to make permanent changes to the human race on a cellular level. Will these change affect us positively or negatively? What do you think?