Biological Risks
There is a wide variety of biological risks associated with genetic modifications. There may be irreversible genetic changes that get passed from generation to generation with germline treatment/enhancement. New diseases may be introduced, although it is impossible to predict what they may be until they appear. Pleiotropic effects of genes are well known. For example, the gene for sickle cell anemia confers resistance to malaria. If this gene is expunged more people could die. Given the inherent variability of the technology, a new gene could insert into the targeted genome in a way that could lead to deleterious interactions with other genes. It is thus difficult for scientists to accurately predict the outcomes of genetic modification because genes operate in partnership with many other genes and the environment.
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