'Gattaca' As Our Future World

CRISPR, a method allowing scientists to edit DNA as seen in several movies such as 'Gattaca,' is starting to become one of the hottest topics in molecular biology. Should we use this technology in the first place?

A Dystopian Society

On October 24th, 1997, Andrew Niccol, a New Zealand-based screenwriter, released his dystopian-fantasy film, Gattaca. Back in the 90s, when the chances of a genome-driven society was so slim, Gattaca was nothing more than a marvelously directed work of science-fiction. In the film, society is so advanced that most children are conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technology, combined with genetic engineering and CRISPR. These methods are used with the intent of giving children the best possible start to becoming “perfect,” deeming natural conception as the gateway to imperfection - something we all know society strives to avoid.

Using CRISPR to Cure Diseases

In the film, CRISPR and genetic engineering are so advanced that they provide cures to diseases like myopia. Gattaca follows a man named Vincent Freeman, whose one goal is to travel to outer space as part of the GATTACA space program. However, Vincent's noble dream would never become reality - not because of his abilities, but because he was

genetically inferior. To others, Vincent was an “invalid” because his parents conceived him naturally. He belonged to a lower class in society, where the highest status one can hold is limited to menial jobs. Tired of his lifestyle, he assumes the identity of Jerome Morrow, a "perfect" genetically engineered human, who is, unfortunately, a paraplegic as a result of a car accident. With GATTACA's strict gene security measures, Vincent learns how to use samples of Jerome's skin, hair, and blood to elude the system.

Will Gattaca Ever Exist?

Although this reality does not exist outside of Gattaca's imaginary cosmos, the possibility of using CRISPR to genetically enhance our future generations could be knocking on our doors sooner than we realize. Thanks to modern technology and breakthroughs in molecular biology, the prospect of Gattaca becoming our reality has become a question of

"when" as opposed to "if." However, the dominant question puzzling many scientists across the world isn't necessarily the "how." CRISPR's benefits could be mind blowing, but its effects on society are things that we need to keep in mind before we even examine the possibilities. Simply because we are capable, does not necessarily mean that we should - at least in this case, not without acknowledging the whole picture.

CRISPR on Somatic Cells

Keep in mind that CRISPR isn’t really brand new technology. Scientists have been using it to treat various diseases caused by gene mutations, but they’ve only used this technique on somatic cells or body cells. For example, scientists can take blood stem cells, use CRISPR to correct mutations, and infuse the corrected cells back into the patient, where healthy hemoglobin will be produced. The key takeaway from this is that using CRISPR on somatic cells does not affect all the cells in an organism - only the person being treated.

CRISPR on Germline Cells

On the other hand, we have germline human genome editing. Using CRISPR with this method alters embryos at early stages, therefore impacting every single cell in the body - including the reproductive organs. Thus, engineering embryos will affect future generations as well. In 2018, He Jiankui, a Chinese research scientist, claimed to have edited the genes of two human embryos in the germline cells. He now faces 3 years in prison for using CRISPR as a consequence of ethical violations.

Scientific Opinion on CRISPR Experiments

Many scientists claim that Dr. He's experiment was conducted too soon, as there wasn’t enough information to determine whether CRISPR was safe for germline editing. It has recently been revealed that CRISPR isn't as precise as it seems to be and may not always recognize the correct DNA sequence. This could lead to mutations that could cause serious diseases, though only some mutations are extremely harmful, and others can act neutrally. Because of this, many scientists are debating whether CRISPR and genetic engineering should become our new normal.

Ethics - The Turning Point

So with this in mind, let's travel to the future in the year 3000. If Gattaca does become our reality, lots of societal issues would come into play. Wealthy families could purchase genetic enhancements for their children. Bias would become quotidian- resulting in more prejudice and discrimination for the "genetically inferior" as well. Even if we were to limit the use of editing to prevent serious diseases, doing so would be nearly impossible. Additionally, the embryos undergoing genetic engineering would not be able to consent to anything, which is arguably one of the most important ethical questions that need to be answered regarding genetic engineering.

Why Research CRISPR?

Considering the controversy, it makes sense for scientists to be proceeding with caution. In the past, there have been some ideas that seemed downright horrifying, yet resulted in successful treatments for common illnesses today. For example, take IVF, a method commonly used today to help infertile parents have children. The process is simple - ova are harvested from the mother and fertilized with the father's sperm in a petri dish. The zygotes that have the best chance of survival are then chosen and implanted in the mother's womb in hopes of a successful pregnancy. A long time ago, this type of conception was considered scary and unlikely. But all that changed with one successful "test-tube baby" named Louise Brown. After she was born healthy, the scientific community changed their attitudes toward IVF, and society's ethics and morals shifted as well. Today, it is considered unacceptable to prevent parents from having children with this method. The same scenario is entirely possible with CRISPR. If Dr. He's experimented twins are proven healthy, then there would be more discussions on ethics and the success rate of CRISPR.

Louise Brown Photo credits: Kent Gavin/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Human Germline Editing- A Social Justice Issue

More than anything, we must understand the effects that genetic engineering could have on society. The disturbing reality is that there would be lots of discrimination - even at the molecular level! Those who were discriminated against in the first place - such as the disabled, blind, and/or deaf - would become victims of a society that deprives them of opportunities they seek. Instead of wondering "when" or "if," we should start asking,"should we?" Is a society obsessed with genetically superior humans as described in Gattaca worth curing certain diseases? Is it possible to avoid discrimination? Is it right for people to be denied entry into their dream schools or jobs - simply because their genome is viewed as inferior? Human germline editing is evidently more than just a scientific dilemma - it is a pressing social justice predicament that we need to understand before we proceed with more research.

---

Sources

1. Bergman, Todd. “Harvard Researchers Share Views on Future, Ethics of Gene Editing.”

Harvard Gazette, Harvard Gazette, 28 Oct. 2019,

news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/01/perspectives-on-gene-editing/.

2. “What Is Human Gene Editing?: Center for Genetics and Society.” What Is Human Gene

Editing? | Center for Genetics and Society, www.geneticsandsociety.org/internal-

content/what-human-gene-editing.