طب انتظامی (Jan 2023)
Gene editing: biosecurity challenges and risks
Abstract
Gene Editing Defence Strategies On June 29, 2018, in Newsweek magazine, the media announced and published the discussion of using gene editing technology on human embryos to eliminate genetic diseases. However, some scientists and pioneers of this technology (such as Professor Doudna) raise ethical considerations as a serious discussion. Since 2015, China has started extensive research on human embryos under the leadership of Professor Lu You, an oncologist at Sichuan University in Chengdu, and is still developing this technology on human embryos; in a way that on October 28, 2017, a group led by him injected the modified cells into a patient with aggressive lung cancer as part of a clinical trial at the West China Hospital [37]. However, according to most scientists, the red line of gene editing technology is the genetic manipulation of human embryos. However, today, some scientists secretly use gene editing technology to research and develop human embryos to design and create disease-free humans with special capabilities. These designed children have high intelligence, creative mind, five senses with great power and are resistant to various diseases. Also, some have called this technology the engine of creation because it gives the scientist a god-like power (based on his beliefs) to create and improve future humans (super-humanity). On the other hand, unlike the Schilling Act, CRISPR-based bioweapons have international strategic implications. According to Thomas Schelling's Game Theory, a balanced international strategy is observed in the nuclear age. If one side increases or decreases its nuclear weapons capabilities to maintain balance, the other side must follow suit. Based on this, each side knows what weapons the other side has, and both sides, knowing this (based on open inspection of nuclear facilities), observe a balance in this regard. However, in the era of genome editing technology, due to the ease of making CRISPR-based biological weapons in small laboratories that are impossible to observe and identify, the awareness of the ability and capacity to design and manufacture biological weapons on the other side has failed and as a result, the strategy based on inspection and mutual destruction of such weapons of mass destruction also fails. Therefore, CRISPR-based bioweapons represent a fundamental change in Schilling's Law. A balanced, no-win, bargaining, nonzero-sum Schilling game approaches the classical zero-sum game, in a way that the side that attacks first may win the entire game. As a result, according to Schelling's argument, this international situation will be very unstable, fragile and dangerous [35]. Based on this, how can the defense strategy to deal with the threats resulting from such technologies and biological security be? In other words, how do we defend ourselves against biological weapons caused by CRISPR? To answer these questions, it is important to pay attention to the following: 1- The attention and awareness of public opinion and political leaders should be increased about the dangers of CRISPR-based genome editing. 2- Considering the actual and potential risks of CRISPR-based genome editing in bioterrorist attacks, defense strategies should be quickly developed to deal with such possible attacks. 3- Any CRISPR-based editing can be reversed. In other words, a network mutation that causes cancer can be reversed to stop cancer. When we know how to stop cancer, we will know how to cause cancer. Alternatively, any gene essential for life can be disabled by a reverse edit. This requires a coherent defense-research initiative. 4- It is necessary to adopt coherent international laws (in line with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Biological Weapons) to examine the risks of this very dangerous technology (in order to confront and not prevent it). 5- A new international bioethics committee is needed to deal with risk groups in this regard. Conclusion Gene editing technology has shown the scientific community a new window and solution through which appropriate treatment methods can be adopted to deal with most diseases. Therefore, genome editing offers great opportunities in biology, biotechnology and medical sciences, including preventing and treating diseases and producing good food. On the other hand, CRISPR-based bioweapons destroy the logical and strategic balance of power that has kept the world free of catastrophic wars. The world is facing a potentially more dangerous technology than nuclear weapons because of its ease of development and precision of use. Precise targeting of individuals with a deadly CRISPR-based virus means that, as in nuclear war, there is no longer a barrier to mutually assured destruction. Instead, we are faced with the possibility of a precise and targeted mass genocide. On the other hand, after the birth of the Chinese gene-edited twins, in terms of Islamic jurisprudence and ethics, there have been discussions about the possibility of using CRISPR technology to develop embryonic research and human genome editing. Considering that embryonic gene editing may lead to hereditary changes in the human genome, whether this practice should be permissible requires a deep and detailed discussion from different perspectives. Islam's views on the concerns raised about human genome editing consider the moral principles important in Islam and declare that it should be taken into account when evaluating the permissibility of gene editing of the human reproductive line through CRISPR. As discussed in this article, human embryo editing research for medical purposes is legal under certain conditions and is used to treat diseases, but until the safety and effectiveness issues of this technology are resolved, it should not be applied to humans. Strong and strict ethical guidelines are necessary to preserve human dignity and prevent the misuse of technology, and religious principles of preserving human life, descent and dignity and preventing possible harm are among the important principles in evaluating the permissibility of human embryo editing through CRISPR from an Islamic point of view. Therefore, it can be concluded that human gene editing by CRISPR is considered halal in Islam if it has the following conditions: A- To be used only for medical purposes, especially for preventing or treating diseases. This kind of change is not considered a manipulation of God's creation. B- It is allowed only after solving the safety and efficiency problems, and the technology used should not cause more harm to the parents, the resulting child, the society and the future generation. C- Establish strict regulations to ensure respect for the people involved, prevent early use and abuse of technology, and seriously prevent unwanted genetic changes in humans [38-40]. Clinical & Practical Tips in POLICE MEDICINE: Considering the emergence of promising technologies such as genome editing, in addition to using the opportunities obtained from this technology, especially in the field of life and health and diagnosis and treatment of incurable diseases, it is necessary to pay special attention to this technology from the point of view of biosecurity. The creation of new organisms, biohacking and the creation of programmed humans are among the future biosecurity risks of this technology, and the Deputy Health and Medical Services of General Staff of the Armed Forces must draw specific plans and strategies in this regard in cooperation with academic centers. Acknowledgements: This study was carried out in the Research Institute of Biological Sciences and Technology of the Malek Ashtar University of Technology, and the efforts of the officials of this university are gratefully acknowledged. Conflict of interest: The article's authors stated that the present study has no conflict of interest. Authors' Contribution: Samane Fethollahi (data collection); Dr Mehdi Zein al-Dini (presenting the idea and design of the study, data collection, data analysis). All the authors participated in the initial writing of the article and its revision, and all accept the responsibility for the accuracy and correctness of the article's contents with the final approval of this article. Financial Sources: The present study was carried out with the financial support of the Biological Sciences Department of the Academic Complex of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Malek Ashtar University of Technology, in line with the observation of emerging technologies, and was a part of the research project number "19730180208".
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