South Africa national research ethics updated its guidelines on heritable human genome editing. The May 2024 update permits the use of genome editing to create genetically modified children.
What is genome editing?
Genome editing is a method of making specific changes to the DNA of a cell or organism. Human genome editing technologies can be used on somatic or germline reproductive cells. Somatic human genome editing is well established with potential therapeutic development in certain cancers, genetic disorders and HIV AIDS.
Heritable or otherwise germline cell genome editing is hotly contested due to the huge societal, moral and medical ethical implications. In November 2018, a Chinese biophysicist, He Jiankui, sparked global outrage when he claimed to have created the worlds first genome edited babies. This led to his arrest in 2020 and sentenced to three years in prison for unethical medical practice.
Genome editing in Kenya
Kenya (2022) through National Biosafety Authority published guidelines for regulations of genome edited organisms and products. Most recently (2023) genome editing technology has been contemplated in the control of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND), according to the Director of the international Institute of Tropical Agriculture, East Africa Hub.
Bioethical concerns
As discussed, genome editing has huge potential in scientific advancement, However, there are pertinent bioethical issues on Ecological imbalance, consumer protection, genome editing for enhancement, Military advancement, Organ transplants, Animal welfare and failure of germline genome editing.