Playing God or Playing Smart? The Ethics of CRISPR

 Should CRISPR be banned for use? In a piece from the Innovative Genomics Institute titled “CRISPR Ethics,” the institute outlines the major ethical questions surrounding CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) gene-editing technology. The article explains that CRISPR allows scientists to precisely modify DNA and holds great promise for treating genetic diseases. At the same time, it raises concerns about human germline editing, the possibility of “designer babies,” and the need for strong global oversight. At its core, CRISPR is a chemical system: the Cas9 enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds in DNA, allowing scientists to break and reform covalent bonds in the genome. The discussion is framed partly in response to the 2018 case in China in which embryos were edited, prompting international debate and calls for tighter regulation.

                                            

CRISPR gene-editing systems function by directing Cas enzymes to a targeted location in the genome, where the enzymes make a precise cut in the DNA.   https://www.livescience.com/58790-crispr-explained.html

From a chemistry perspective, CRISPR operates at the molecular level. The Cas9 enzyme cuts DNA by breaking specific chemical bonds in the DNA backbone, relying on principles such as molecular structure, bonding interactions, and enzyme catalysis. The specificity of CRISPR depends on chemical base-pairing interactions between guide RNA and DNA, which are governed by hydrogen bonding and molecular geometry. The effectiveness and safety of CRISPR-based therapies also depend on chemically designed delivery systems that transport gene-editing components into cells. Although often categorized as biology, CRISPR is fundamentally applied molecular chemistry in living systems.

The article places the controversy in a broader social and regulatory context rather than presenting CRISPR as inherently dangerous. It distinguishes between therapeutic uses, such as correcting serious genetic disorders, and enhancement applications that raise deeper ethical concerns. In doing so, it avoids reinforcing chemophobia. Scientists are portrayed not as reckless experimenters, but as actively engaged in ethical reflection and global governance discussions.

Overall, the article connects chemical principles to real-world medical innovation while also encouraging critical thinking about regulation, risk, and societal responsibility. Rather than promoting fear, it presents CRISPR as a powerful chemical technology that requires careful and informed oversight.

https://innovativegenomics.org/crisprpedia/crispr-ethics/#Introduction