The Church of England’s medical ethics adviser has suggested that the church could support the modification of human DNA that is passed on from one generation to another.
Modification of the human ‘germline’ involves editing the DNA of human embryos, eggs or sperm, in such a way that the changes are heritable.
Germline modification technologies raise huge ethical and safety issues. A number of countries have banned their use.
Although some scientists support experiments to develop the techniques, claiming that germline modification could cure certain diseases, other scientists remain firmly opposed.
Problems raised with germline editing are not limited to the intergenerational impact. The development of these technologies also involves the destruction of countless human embryos.
The procedure could also open the door to so-called designer babies.
CofE ‘should defend unborn lives’
Despite such considerations, the Church of England’s health policy adviser, Rev Brendan McCarthy, last week suggested that the Church might be able to support germline editing.
At a conference organised by the Progress Educational Trust at the Institute of Child Health in London, Rev McCarthy said:
“I expect that a wide range of opinions will be expressed within the church, but I am assured that there is a commitment to engaging in a comprehensive, honest and informed examination of the scientific, social and ethical issues involved.”
Andrea Williams of Christian Concern commented:
“Every human person, however young, is created in God’s image. The Church of England should defend unborn human life, rather than suggesting that experimenting on these tiny human beings could be acceptable.”
She added: “Many scientists, governments and Christian groups oppose this type of DNA modification. Why then has the Church chosen to position itself alongside those willing to experiment on human beings and roll the dice with the future of our children and grandchildren?”
Currently, licensed experiments on human embryos are permitted in the UK, but the tiny human beings must be destroyed after 14 days.
The implantation of altered embryos into a woman is currently illegal.
‘Three-parent babies’ echo
A particular form of germline modification is already permitted in the UK.
This year, the UK became the first country in the world to allow the creation of ‘three-parent babies’, where a third woman’s genetic material is involved in the modification of a human embryo.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015 legalised the technology of mitochondrial donation, which involves creating ‘three-parent babies’. Some scientists claim this could prevent certain diseases being passed on through mothers’ faulty mitochondrial DNA but development of the technique involves the destruction of human persons.
When these regulations came into force in October, Andrea said that the UK was taking unknown risks by allowing scientists to experiment with ‘three-parent babies’ at the expense of future generations. She concluded:
"We have set out on a dangerous path, on which 'designer babies' and even eugenics could prove to be much closer than we pretend.
"We are 'playing God', undermining the very pattern for family and human dignity that God has given to us."
Related News:
UK becomes first country in the world to allow 'three-parent babies'
Related Coverage:
Humans will be 'irrevocably altered' by genetic editing, warn scientists ahead of summit (Telegraph)