Guerrilla eugenics: gene drives in heritable human genome editing

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Bioethics
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• CRISPR-Cas9 technology enables human genome alteration, sparking significant bioethical discussions.
• Heritable human genome editing raises profound philosophical and policy questions regarding its application and consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the underexplored implications of CRISPR-Cas9 gene drives for heritable human genome editing.
• To introduce and define the concept of "guerrilla eugenics" in the context of gene drive technology.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of gene drive mechanisms in heritable human genome editing.
• Examination of ethical challenges related to consent, autonomy, and eugenics.
• Projection of potential evolutionary fixation timelines for gene drives in human populations.

Main Results:

• Gene drives applied to heritable human genome editing could constitute a novel form of involuntary eugenic practice ("guerrilla eugenics").
• Gene drives override individual and reproductive partner consent, compromising autonomy and the ability to opt out of genome editing.
• Rapid evolutionary fixation of gene drives is possible within centuries, significantly faster than non-drive germline editing.

Conclusions:

• The introduction of heritable gene drives into human genomes presents fundamental ethical problems, including issues of surveillance and reversal.
• Current policy guidelines inadequately address the specific risks posed by gene drives in humans.
• An explicit moratorium on gene drive development for heritable human genome editing is warranted due to these ethical concerns.