基因编辑技术对法医学鉴定的影响和挑战

The impact and challenges of gene editing technology on forensic identification

近年来基因编辑技术发展突飞猛进,已经出现第三代CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术。世界各国的法律对人类胚胎基因干预性研究从严管理。基因编辑在人类胚胎层面开展研究,甚至会导致基因编辑婴儿出生,改变人类的基因顺序等信息也由可能走向现实,这对法医学同一认定、亲缘关系鉴定等造成负面影响。同时,犯罪分子也可能利用基因编辑技术改变自己的基因信息,从而避开犯罪基因信息库中的信息。这一生物遗传学技术的进步和实践应用趋势,应当引起法医学鉴定人员警惕,国家相关部门也应当加强监管。

In recent years, the development of gene editing technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, and CRISPR/Cas9, as the third generation of gene editing technology has emerged. The laws of countries around the world strictly regulate the intervention studies on human embryonic gene. Gene editing research at the level of human embryos may even lead to the birth of genetically edited babies, and the change of human genetic sequence and other information may also lead to reality, which has a negative impact on the individual identification of forensic science and identification of kinship. At the same time, criminals may also use gene editing technology to change their genetic information, so as to avoid the information in the criminal gene database. The progress and practical application trend of this biogenetic technology should arouse the vigilance of forensic medical appraisers, and the relevant state departments should also strengthen the supervision.