Speculative Fact #283: Human Gene Editing

Groundbreaking news was made in Washington D.C. -  during an international summit, scientists weighed in on human gene editing. Molecular scissors (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9) that can edit and repair damaged DNA have become commonplace and more feasible as medical technology improves.
            Some hail this as a sign of progress and have proposed using gene editing to eliminate inherited diseases. Research will need to be done on human embryos, but many fear the rise of genetically engineered “designer” babies. Possible control measures include ensuring that no edited embryos result in actual pregnancies. There are a number of moral and ethical implications about editing genes that would pass on to future generations.  
     Genetic engineering has long been explored in speculative fiction. Is your story a social commentary about the dangers of the slippery slope or a light-hearted story with benevolent...super beings? 

-Jonathan Hernandez

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