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A global controversy erupted after a to manipulate genes in the embryos of twin girls to try to boost their resistance to HIV. The idea of gene editing goes back to at least the 1960s, and it鈥檚 the topic of the new documentary 鈥淗uman Nature,鈥� which will festival in Austin this month.
Renowned journalist , one of the film鈥檚 executive producers, says gene editing is one of the most important scientific and political tools of our time.
鈥淭his has the potential to be bigger and more important than the internet,鈥� he says.
Although CRISPR is still in its infancy, some predict it will allow scientists to alter traits in children, such as height, eye color and even intelligence. Rather says the potential for improving public health is immense, but so are the potential risks.
鈥淚n the wrong hands, it doesn鈥檛 take much imagination to see where it could go,鈥� Rather says. 鈥淚t could go in the direction of eugenics.鈥�
In the months since the announcement of He Jiankui鈥檚 alleged manipulation of the twins鈥� genes, a over regulating the technology. Some have argued for banning the practice entirely, while others prefer no restrictions in the hope of perfecting the process.
Rather says these conversations are vital, and they must move beyond the political and scientific elite.
鈥淲e need to have this conversation now, and my concern is scientists are having this conversation but what we need is the public at large,鈥� Rather says. 鈥淩ank-and-file people, particularly in a democratic society such as ours, have to understand what is happening here at the beginning. We鈥檙e still at the first edges of this, but it鈥檚 moving quickly.鈥�
He also stresses the need for American scientists to collaborate with those abroad when it comes to gene-editing technology.
鈥淚f we dial back, we鈥檒l be quickly overtaken by people in China, Iran, all over the world,鈥� Rather says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e talking about a world danger in the same way that we had to have a global discussion about what to do with the splitting of the atom and first atomic bomb.鈥�
Rather, who has covered events ranging from President John F. Kennedy鈥檚 assassination to Watergate, says this is one of the most important issues he鈥檚 ever worked on.
鈥淪eldom if ever have I been onto a story that has an arc that matters as much as this story,鈥� Rather says. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 put this off.鈥�
Written by Sol Chase.
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