Genetic Revolution

The Genetic Revolution is a new documentary that explores the exciting, rapidly evolving world of genetic engineering. The film follows a group of brilliant scientists from across the globe as they use powerful new gene-editing technologies in ways once thought unimaginable.

“CRISPR” is a powerful gene-editing technology that is revolutionising biomedical research. It allows researchers to quickly, and cheaply, target and edit genes at precise locations along the long DNA chains of organisms. The big hope is that CRISPR (pronounced “crisper”) could help researchers correct mutations in the human genome, effectively treating genetic diseases. But some fear CRISPR might lead to the creation of designer babies or unleash consequences we cannot predict. “Think of it like editing text,” says Dr Janet Rossant, a researcher who uses CRISPR in her lab at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. “You can cursor in, and you delete a few words, paste in a little sentence.

A successful clinical trial for a gene therapy for sickle cell anemia may be a cure for the painful, chronic and often deadly disease. Psychedelic drugs may be able to treat people for the depression and anxiety. Average debt incurred by medical students has reached home mortgage levels, causing some who want to become doctors to not even try. Now New York University, one of the nation's top med schools, has implemented a 100-percent scholarship program-free tuition.

Colin Farrelly contemplates the various ethical and social quandaries raised by the genetic revolution. Recent biomedical advances such as genetic screening, gene therapy and genome editing might be used to promote equality of opportunity, reproductive freedom, healthy aging, and the prevention and treatment of disease. But these technologies also raise a host of ethical questions: Is the idea of “genetically engineering” humans a morally objectionable form of eugenics?