CRISPR and the Rebirth of Synthetic Biology

Raheleh Heidari, David Martin Shaw, Bernice Simone Elger*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Emergence of novel genome engineering technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) has refocused attention on unresolved ethical complications of synthetic biology. Biosecurity concerns, deontological issues and human right aspects of genome editing have been the subject of in-depth debate; however, a lack of transparent regulatory guidelines, outdated governance codes, inefficient time-consuming clinical trial pathways and frequent misunderstanding of the scientific potential of cutting-edge technologies have created substantial obstacles to translational research in this area. While a precautionary principle should be applied at all stages of genome engineering research, the stigma of germline editing, synthesis of new life forms and unrealistic presentation of current technologies should not arrest the transition of new therapeutic, diagnostic or preventive tools from research to clinic. We provide a brief review on the present regulation of CRISPR and discuss the translational aspect of genome engineering research and patient autonomy with respect to the "right to try" potential novel non-germline gene therapies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)351-363
Number of pages13
JournalScience and Engineering Ethics
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2017

Keywords

  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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