Number One Deplorable Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So this guy in China has apparently used CRISPR
> technology to alter a gene in two born babies and
> one fetus to make them more resistant to HIV.
>
> Everyone is denouncing him.
>
> I'm wondering if any leftists - preferably atheist
> leftists - can articulate any sound reasons
> consistent with their belief-system as to why what
> this guy did was "wrong" or "bad," and why we
> should try to legally prevent folks from using
> this technology to edit other genes or even fully
> clone a human being?
>
> TIA!
FTR, I don't consider myself a leftist or an atheist, but I can answer this one, having read about it some.
First, as another poster noted, CRISPR is not cloning. But let's just look at CRISPR.
It's of course appealing as a way of fixing genetic defects, such as cystic fibrosis or retinitis pigmentosa. The concern is this: where do you draw the line?
"Your child will be of below average height, but we can fix that."
"Your child will be of below average intelligence, but we can fix that."
"We want our child to be blue-eyed."
"We want our child to have blond hair."
"We want our child to be athletic."
So the concern is that it feels risky to just say "Sure, go for it, no problem". I don't think anybody thinks that it isn't going to happen: they just don't want it monetized and commercialized.
For a good view of where it COULD go, read Daniel Suarez's book "Change Agent",
https://www.amazon.com/Change-Agent-Daniel-Suarez/dp/110198466X
It will be interesting to see how this evolves.