Genome Editing among Bioethics and Regulatory Practices

In the last decade, genome editing technologies became very effective and several clinical trials have been started in order to use them for treating some genetic diseases. Interestingly, despite more than 50 years of discussion about the frontiers of genetics in human health and evolution, the debate about the bioethics and the regulatory practices of genome editing is still far from satisfactory answers. This delay results from an excessive emphasis on the effectiveness of the genome editing technologies that is relevant for the regulatory practices, but not at a bioethical level. Indeed, other factors (such as accessibility and acceptability) could make these techniques not accepted at the bioethical level, even in the presence of their 100% effectiveness.

Automated summary

In the last decade, genome editing technologies have become highly effective and are being used in clinical trials for treating genetic diseases. However, the debate about the bioethical and regulatory practices of genome editing still lacks satisfactory answers, despite over 50 years of discussions on the frontiers of genetics in human health and evolution. The delay in finding answers is due to an excessive focus on the effectiveness of the technologies in regulatory practices, rather than considering other factors such as accessibility and acceptability at a bioethical level.