Intervention in the human germline is not acceptable

European Parliament debates human germline genome modification

Following the announcement of Chinese researcher He Jiankui having genetically modified twins by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology for the first time, Members of the European Parliament held a debate in order to avoid any further unethical human experimentation by this breakthrough technology.

The question we are dealing with today is of the utmost importance within the current scientific discourse. It involves strong need and call to address the issues of human dignity, human rights, integrity and equality not only with regard to risks and benefits of an individual but a society as a whole“, said Miroslav Mikolášik MEP. Together with Peter Liese MEP, both authors of the parliamentary initiative from European People´s Party (EPP), believe that our response cannot be limited to simple calling for safety and efficacy standards for such „CRISPR/Cas9 edited babies“. The problem here is not only how it was done but first and foremost what was done as there are considerable transnational implications of reproductive genetic engineering comprising alarming societal risks and ethical concerns.

Gene editing has a revolutionary potential to advance a precision medicine. Distinction between intentional somatic genome editing and germline genome editing is, however, essential in correct conception and interpretation of scientific findings. Meanwhile first one - somatic - aims to treat the patient and currently advances into its clinical trials phase under rigorous translational criteria, the second one - germline - would affect all future generations with serious risks of unintended harmful effects. 

"Modern biotechnology has huge opportunities, but there has to be strict limits. Intervention in the human germline is not acceptable under any circumstances. I am very happy that the Council President made it crystal clear that it is also a violation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union”,  added Peter Liese MEP. European Union should therefore reiterate its firm position based on ethical governance of science and new technologies. This cannot be left to exclusive self-regulatory competence of the scientific community since consequences of introducing heritable germline genome modification are far more greater.  Moreover, since public trust in any new technologies constitutes vital part of human progress, broader public debate on national and supranational level based on correct scientific communication is needed. Subsequently they called upon the European Commission and Council to take a leadership in promoting global ban of human germline genome modification and creating a platform for public engagement in this discussion.