S6.05: GMO or GM NO? The ethics and realities of genome editing
Hello, and welcome to Genetics Unzipped - the Genetics Society podcast, with me, Dr Sally Le Page. In this episode we’re exploring the history and ethics of genome editing, tinkering with the genetics not only of this generation, but potentially generations to come.
I don’t know about you, but it’s easy to take genetic modification for granted. Gone are the days when we would zap a plant or animal with mutating radiation, hope for the best and see what happens. Now we can selectively target individual genes, individual base pairs even, and cut out or add DNA. Every week I seem to come across another example of these technologies being used, whether that’s inactivating a gene to help research what that gene does, or adding a fluorescent marker to make it easier to see what a cell is doing under the microscope, circumventing 1000s of years of conventional breeding to give a crop plant a new ability, and occasionally we even come across being able to cure debilitating genetic diseases in humans.
But as everyone’s favourite leather clad, bare chested dinosaur theme park consultant reminds us, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should”.
Gunes Taylor: Genome editing in plants, animals and humans.
In the last few days, the Francis Crick Institute in London have hosted the third International Summit on Human Genome Editing, where a collection of the world’s most prominent geneticists will indeed be stopping to think about the ethics and regulation of genetic modification technologies. To go alongside this academic summit, the Crick have created a public exhibition called Cut + Paste, and are actively inviting visitors to share their thoughts on what should and shouldn’t be allowed.
Robin Lovell-Badge: who should decide what is allowed when it comes to genome editing?
It’s clear that there are some very difficult ethical decisions to be made about what genome modification should be allowed to take place and under what circumstances, but that then opens up a whole other question of who should get to make those decisions? Scientists, ethicists, governments, the public?
Ruth Garde: Cut+Paste - Exploring the ethical issues around genome editing
Genome editing is powerful technology with the potential to change humans and the world we live in - so the decisions about whether and how to use it shouldn’t just come down to scientists. Cut+Paste is a new hands-on exhibition at the Francis Crick Institute that aims to explore the ethical issues around gene editing and gather the public’s views about how this technology should be used.
News from The Genetics Society
Before we go, we want to let you know about what’s coming up from the Genetics Society over the next couple of weeks.
On Friday 17th March, the Royal Institution are holding a “For Your Inspiration” event in association with the Genetics Society, giving young people aged 13 and up an exciting, hands-on evening of demonstrations, activities and an opportunity to learn more about what it’s like to be a geneticist. Maybe you could make a whole genetics day out in London and visit the Cut and Paste exhibit at the Crick before hopping on the Tube to the Royal Institution! There’s a link in our show notes to the Royal Institution’s website for more information and to buy tickets.
And if you’ve been intrigued to find out about how we’re already editing genomes to help cure sickle cell disease and you want to find out more, plus you enjoy listening to podcasts, well you’re in luck, because the Genetics Society have funded a five-part podcast series called Sickle Cell Unboxed. Medical doctor and producer Dr Yemisi Bokinni unboxes topics from the historical origins of sickle cell anaemia to pioneering new treatments.
That’s all for now. Thanks to our guests Gunes Taylor, Robin Lovell-Badge and Ruth Garde from the Francis Crick Institute.
We’ll be back next time when I’ll be saying bye-bye to the boys, and exploring whether new gene technologies and climate change will make males extinct.
For more information about this podcast including show notes, transcripts, links, references and everything else head over to geneticsunzipped.com You can find us on Twitter @geneticsunzip and please do take a moment to leave us a rating in the Spotify app or review us on Apple podcasts - it really makes a difference and helps more people discover the show.
This episode of Genetics Unzipped was written, presented and produced by me, Sally Le Page. It’s a First Create the Media production for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies dedicated to promoting research, training, teaching and public engagement in all areas of genetics. You can find out more and apply to join at genetics.org.uk. Our theme music was composed by Dan Pollard, the logo was designed by James Mayall and audio production is by Emma Werner. Thanks for listening, and until next time, goodbye.
