Part 1: An Overview

Some people are born with inherent genetic advantages – they are stronger, cleverer, more beautiful than others. Others have disabilities, some of which have tragic consequences which are genetic in origin. Since science now has the ability to modify our genes should we be using these techniques to ‘level the playing field’ and make the world a more equal place? In this talk Professor Keith Fox illustrates the power of modern genetic engineering and raises some of the moral, ethical and religious questions that arise from the use of this technology. Almost as an aside he also raises the question of the extent to which our lives are predetermined by our genes and whether we are truly free agents. He seeks to provide some answers to these questions from within the Christian worldview.

There are several thousand diagnosed genetic disorders, often the product of a single mutation within the human genome. In some cases a cure can be brought about by targeted editing of the faulty gene in the Individual person replacing it with a normal one, so healing that person. More complex ethically, is the process of editing an embryo (human genome editing), for this has the capacity to influence all the cells in the body of the individual and all their future generations. Currently this latter practice is illegal, although there is an instance from China where in 2018 a scientist broke the rules and made the first gene-edited twins.

Keith Fox offers three contrasting views on editing the human embryo:

1. Don’t do it ‘the strong arguments against engaging in this activity remain. These includeserious safety issues, ethical issues that affect the next generation without their consent,and a current lack of compelling medical applications’ Francis Collins, director of the US National Institute of Health

2. Do it ‘the primary moral goal for today’s bioethics can be summarised in a singlesentence. Get out of the way. A truly ethical bioethics should not bog down research on the basis of principles such as dignity, sacredness or social justice’ Psychologist, Stephen Pinker

3. Do it with care ‘I am not willing to write this work off as an attempt at playing God. We each play God every time we decide to do things our way. Instead, this is an example of using technology to reduce suffering’ Theologian, Clayton Carlson

Finding a middle-way may provide a solution. Maybe we should modify the genome of an embryo that will otherwise die, or will suffer from a debilitating disease, or will develop cancer later in life. But what about a changing athletic ability or eye colour? However, there is the risk of unintended consequences and the tricky issue of consent. We should also consider ‘What is a normal person?’ for what seems like a disease and weakness to some is a strength to others. It is also important to understand that there are limitations to what genome editing can do. For example, a trait such as intelligence is not determined by a single gene but rather the product of a very large number of genes.

In the final section of the talk Keith Fox discusses the possibilities of genetic enhancement and eugenics (attempts at improving the human stock). Although we might shy away from such ideas he quotes ethicist Arthur Caplan who has written in Time Magazine ‘the most likely way for eugenics to enter our lives is through the front door as nervous parents – awash in marketing and hype – struggle to ensure that their little bundle of joy is not left behind’. In conclusion he takes us to Judaeo-Christian idea from Genesis 1: 26-28 and Psalm 139: 13-16, that we are made in the image of God and argues that irrespective of our abilities we are all of worth in the eyes of God.

Professor Keith Fox is Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Southampton and Emeritas Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge. He is co-author of Modifying our Genes, SCM Press, 2021.