Warship Model United Nation s 2017

TOPIC: ISSUES REGARDING GENETIC ENHANCEMENT of

PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS

Statement of Problem
Although genetic enhancement of preimplantation embryos has not been put into practice yet, it is a
technology that is rapidly developing and is gaining leverage. We are calling for discussion of potential
consequences of this technology that will likely be implemented in the foreseeable future.

Genome editing is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted or replaced in the
genome of a living organism using engineered nucleases (*nucleases are a special type of protein that cut up
DNA and RNA. If you do not understand this term, you are more than welcome to skip it.) or by other ways
to influence the expression of genes. With the rapid development of techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, it
seems like application of genetic approaches to human development will become inevitable.

Preimplantation embryos refer to zygotes before implantation into the uterus, from day 1 to day 6 after
fertilization. Genetic enhancement of preimplantation embryos might elicit ethical issues as well as technical
concerns, for scientists suspect that the technique might cause unintended harmful mutations. Thus, legal
and social implications are involved in this issue.

Past Actions
International Bioethics Committee Report: Updating its Reflection on the Human Genome
and Human Rights (2015)

In 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held a
meeting in Paris in which independent experts of the organizations International Bioethics Committee (IBC)
published a report Updating its Reflection on the Human Genome and Human Rights. In it, the experts
admitted that gene therapy could be a pivotal turning point in the history of medicine, and genome editing
was a highly promising scientific technology that could be utilized for human interests, but they also
suggested that the development of gene-editing technology requires particular precautions and is worthy of
concern, especially if the editing of the human genome should be applied to the germline, which would
therefore introduce hereditary modifications that would tremendously influence future offspring. As a result,
the IBC called for a suspension on the controversial development of human gene editing.

1
Warship Model United Nation s 2017

Universal Declaration on Human Genome and Human Rights (1997)

The Universal Declaration on Human Genome and Human Rights, which was issued by UNESCO at
its 29th session in 1997, is well-known for its statements against the abuse of the human genome and human
cloning. In 1999, the subsequent passage of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Declaration was
endorsed by the General Conference at its 30th session. These Guidelines outline the actions that different
groups must take if the Declaration is to be implemented, and provide guidance as to how these tasks can be
achieved. On top of the Guidelines, UNESCO also evaluated the impact of the Declaration worldwide to
assess its efficacy.

Key Players and Bloc Positions

The United Nations

Generally, the United Nations and its bodies had expressed opposition towards the concept of
embryonic genome editing. In October 2015, a UN panel warned that the fast progress in technology has
dramatically increased the possibility of designer babies. Despite the fact that the therapeutic value of
genetic modification cannot be overlooked, the consequences also need to be considered, and so the panel
called for a moratorium on human genome editing.

In fact, this wasnt the first time the UN underscored their hesitance towards the technology. In 2010,
former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said, as we develop technologies that enable us to make
life-or-death decisions, we need a shared, value-based approach to what are fundamentally moral questions,
thus bringing attention to the topic. Moreover, in 2004, former UN chief Kofi Annan questioned whether
such technologies many lead to a world dominated by eugenics. The greatest fear is that we may be trying
to play God, with unforeseeable consequences, in the end precipitating our own destruction, said Mr.
Annan, stressing the importance of debate on the issue. Currently, member states of UNESCO have adopted
the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (2005) to address the issues raised by the rapid
advancement of science and technology. With the human genome listed as part of the heritage of humanity,
the declaration outlined the rules that need to be followed in order for human dignity, fundamental rights,
and freedom to be protected.

2
Warship Model United Nation s 2017

The Center for Genetics and Society

Non-Profit Organizations also have impact on influencing the international communitys perception
towards the topic. For example, The Center for Genetics and Society works to encourage responsible use
and effective societal governance of human genetic and reproductive technologies and other emerging
technology. Recently, they recommended that editing the genes of human embryos in order to create
genetically modified people is controversial, and gives rise to grave safety, social, and ethical concerns, and
proposed some reasons to oppose genetically modified humans. They stressed that advocating gene editing
in preimplantation embryos will allow certain genetic traits preferable to parents to be enhanced through
gene manipulation. The rich (or developed countries) will be able to ameliorate the gene of their offspring,
while other counterparts in society (or developing countries) may not be capable of doing so, causing social
injustice and global disparities. Furthermore, how gene editing technology will influence genetic diversity
and the environment is another crucial issue. The Center for Genetics and Society concluded that gene
editing and other techniques will surely violate global agreements (such as the Universal Declaration on
Human Genome and Human Rights (1997)) and is not ethical.

The Gene Editing Summit

On the other hand, some other key players do support progress and further research on this
technology. In December 2015, the Gene Editing Summit was held in Washington D.C. The summit leaders
concluded that while somatic cell editing should proceed, editing on germline cells should be cautioned. To
sum up their discussion, the panel believes that editing on human embryos should be supported, but only
under certain circumstances. First, proper research should be conducted, and secondly, the techniques should
only be implemented to cure diseases or treat disabilities with no reasonable alternative. The conclusion,
though not directly stated, implies that for embryos who will grow into babies with incurable diseases due to
their parents genes, embryonic genome editing is supported.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Other active players of the development of genome editing include the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Gene therapy products are under the regulation of existing frameworks, while FDAs
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research has established programs and policies to review and evaluate
gene therapy products. Genome editing therapeutic methods such as the Zinc Finger Nuclease, is currently
undergoing
3
Warship Model United Nation s 2017

clinical trials. As for the recently developed CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, the National Institutes
of Health found no objection to it regarding its first clinical trial. However, due to legal regulations, current
implementations of gene editing on humans are restricted to non-inheritable somatic cells.

Case Studies
Embryo Selection

In 2001, a British couple gave birth to a designer baby which raised multiple concerns. The couple
sidestepped British laws, and travelled to the U.S. to undergo treatments to ensure their babys immune
system matches that of their son, who was recovering from leukemia but had the potential to relapse at any
time. The treatment involved screening multiple embryos, and the embryos were exclusively selected before
they were implanted. The case was severely criticized, with some arguing that choosing the embryo with the
preferred genetic sequence set an unforgiving precedent, and would allow unnatural selection in the process
of reproduction, which not only violates the laws of nature, but also poses a threat to fundamental human
rights. However, the parents of the designer baby argued that they werent trying to choose their babys hair
or eye colors, but were simply trying to prevent an illness in their other son. Though the case is not a precise
example of gene editing in preimplantation embryos, the consequences of such a procedure is believed to be
similar to it, and so reviewing this case can provide a general idea of potential concerns when
preimplantation embryonic genome editing is conducted.

Gene-editing

Gene-editing therapies can be both ex vivo and in vivo, but at present, side effects such as random
editing of the genome are still concerns. In mice, Charles Gersbach of Duke University reported that
gene-editing viral vector injections could correct the mutant gene responsible for muscular dystrophy, a
muscle-wasting disease, in about 20% of muscle cells, which substantially improved muscle tone and
strength.

In humans, there have been different trials of gene-editing as a therapy, and companies are also
preparing trial therapies that inject DNA that codes for gene-editing enzymes directly into the human body.
One particular case is gene editing utilized for treatment of leukemia. The Great Ormond Street Hospital for
Children NHS Trust in London treated a one-year-old girl with leukemia, who is in remission

4
Warship Model United Nation s 2017

thanks to gene-editing technology that allowed her to receive modified immune cells from another person.
Immunologist Waseem Qasim, whose team treated the girl, says that his team came across the baby, in
whom all other treatments had failed, and were able to obtain special permission to treat her with the new
gene editing technology.

Questions to Consider
1. Currently, what are the details of the controversies raised by gene editing in embryos? What kinds of
regulations should be set regarding this technology?

2. Who should take the responsibility to deal with the issues regarding genetic enhancement of
preimplantation embryos?

5
Warship Model United Nation s 2017

Reference
1. David, C., & Sara, R. (2015, April 22). Chinese scientists genetically modify human embryos. nature.
Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com/news/chinese-scientists-genetically-modify-human-embryos-1.17378

2. Roni, A. (2015, October 5). A UNESCO panel of scientists, philosophers, lawyers and government
ministers has called for a temporary ban on genetic editing of the human germline, calling for a
wide public debate on genetic modification of human DNA. United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization. Retrieved from
http://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-panel-experts-calls-ban-editing-human-dna-avoid-unethical-tamper
ing-hereditary-traits

3. Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights. UNESCO. Retrieved from
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/bioethics/human-genome-and-hu
man-rights/

4. About Human Germline Gene Editing. Center for Genetics and Society. Retrieved from
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=8711#Polls

5. 5 Reasons to say No to Genetically Modified Humans.pdf. Center for Genetics and Society.
Retrieved from
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/downloads/5_Reasons_to_say_No_to_GM%20Humans.pdf

6. UN panel warns against 'designer babies' and eugenics in 'editing' of human DNA. UNESCO.
Retrieved from http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52172#.WP8gFFKB2gQ

7. Clair, M. (2017, February 5). U.S. science advisory committee supports genetic modification of
human embryos. Popular Science. Retrieved from
http://www.popsci.com/gene-editing-human-embryos-crispr

8. Sarah, H. (2001, Oct 15). Britain's first 'designer baby'. the Guardian. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/15/medicalscience.genetics

9. Sara, R. (2015, November 5). Leukaemia success heralds wave of gene-editing therapies. Nature.
Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com/news/leukaemia-success-heralds-wave-of-gene-editing-therapies-1.18737