人类基因编辑的前景与挑战

Opportunities and challenges of human gene editing

基因编辑虽然不是一个全新的概念,但CRISPR的出现改变了整个世界,引起了最广泛的关注。人类首次可以随心所欲地修改任何物种的DNA,包括人类本身。这一技术为人类社会的发展带来无穷的机遇,但其深远的影响也带来了前所未有的伦理与监管方面的挑战。由美国国家科学院和美国国家医学院组织编写的报告《人类基因组编辑:科学、伦理和监管》试图为基因编辑临床应用相关的研究、伦理和监管提供了一条明确的途径。作为参与这一报告的作者之一,现将分析基因编辑的科学问题,其可能的临床应用,并在技术与伦理等层面讨论这一历史性机遇及其所带来的挑战。

Gene editing is not a completely new concept, but the CRISPR has changed the whole world and has attracted the widest attention. For the first time, humans can modify the DNA of any species, including humans, as they wish. This technology brings endless opportunities for the development of human society, but its far-reachingimpact has brought unprecedented ethical and regulatory challenges. The report ＂Human Genome Editing： Science, Ethics, and Governance＂, which has been jointly completed by U.S. National Academy of Sciences and U.S. National Academy of Medicine, seeks to provide a clear path for science, ethics, and governance of gene editing clinical applications. As one of the authors of this report, we will analyze the scientific issues of gene editing, its possible clinical applications, and discuss this historic opportunity from the aspect of technology and ethics, and the challenges it poses.