Is heritable genome editing compatible with equality in an inclusive society?
By Scottish Council on Human Bioethics,
Science Animated
| 07. 15. 2022
Heritable genome editing is being increasingly viewed as socially and morally acceptable so long as certain criteria are met. However, even despite these criteria, heritable genome editing may be in conflict with a progressive and inclusive society where all persons are considered equal. In this short animation, the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics presents philosophical arguments explaining why heritable genome editing may be at odds with equality in an inclusive society.
Watch the video here.
Additional Information: https://www.schb.org.uk/
Articles
Calum MacKellar. (2019) Genome Modifying Reproductive Procedures and their Effects on Numerical Identity, The New Bioethics 25:2, pages 121-136: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20502877.2019.1606150
Calum MacKellar. (2021) Why human germline genome editing is incompatible with equality in an inclusive society. The New Bioethics 27:1, pages 19-29: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20502877.2020.1869467
Robert Sparrow. (2019) Human Germline Genome Editing: On the Nature of Our Reasons to Genome Edit, Published online: 19 Apr 2021, The American Journal of Bioethics: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15265161.2021.1907480
Related Articles
By Zusha Elinson, The Wall Street Journal | 08.12.2025
BERKELEY, Calif.—Tsvi Benson-Tilsen, a mathematician, spent seven years researching how to keep an advanced form of artificial intelligence from destroying humanity before he concluded that stopping it wasn’t possible—at least anytime soon.
Now, he’s turned his considerable brainpower to promoting...
By Rob Stein, NPR [cites CGS' Katie Hasson] | 08.06.2025
A Chinese scientist horrified the world in 2018 when he revealed he had secretly engineered the birth of the world's first gene-edited babies.
His work was reviled as reckless and unethical because, among other reasons, gene-editing was so new...
By Susanna Smith, Genetic Frontiers | 07.28.2025
Key Topics
How does the American far right view genetics and genetic technologies?
What is the history of the American cultural pursuit of trying to choose smarter children? What has science shown us about the relationship of heredity and intelligence...
By Arthur Caplan and James Tabery, Scientific American | 07.28.2025
An understandable ethics outcry greeted the June announcement of a software platform that offers aspiring parents “genetic optimization” of their embryos. Touted by Nucleus Genomics’ CEO Kian Sadeghi, the $5,999 service, dubbed “Nucleus Embryo,” promised optimization of...