Science Philosophy of Science

Redesigning Life

How genome editing will transform the world

by John Parrington Review by David Lorimer, December 2016

Published: 2016
Publisher: Oxford
Format: Hardback
Pages: 352 pp.
ISBN: 9780191079719

Publisher’s description

Since the birth of civilisation, human beings have manipulated other life-forms. We have selectively bred plants and animals for thousands of years to maximise agricultural production and cater to our taste in pets. The observation of the creation of artificial animal and plant variants was a key stimulant for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The ability to directly engineer the genomes of organisms first became possible in the 1970s, when the gene for human insulin was introduced into bacteria to produce this protein for diabetics. At the same time, mice were modified to produce human growth hormone, and grew huge as a result. But these were only our first tottering steps into the possibilities of genetic engineering. In the past few years, the pace of progress has accelerated enormously. We can now cut and paste genes using molecular scissors with astonishing ease, and the new technology of genome editing can be applied to practically any species of plants or animals. 'Mutation chain reaction' can be used to alter the genes of a population of pests, such as flies; as the modified creatures breed, the mutation is spread through the population, so that within a few generations the organism is almost completely altered. At the same time, scientists are also beginning to synthesize new organisms from scratch. These new technologies hold much promise for improving lives. Genome editing has already been used clinically to treat AIDS patients, by genetically modifying their white blood cells to be resistant to HIV. In agriculture, genome editing could be used to engineer species with increased food output, and the ability to thrive in challenging climates. New bacterial forms may be used to generate energy. But these powerful new techniques also raise important ethical dilemmas and potential dangers, pressing issues that are already upon us given the speed of scientific developments. To what extent should parents be able to manipulate the genetics of their offspring — and would designer babies be limited to the rich? Can we effectively weigh up the risks from introducing synthetic lifeforms into complex ecosystems? In this extensively revised paperback edition, John Parrington explains the nature and possibilities of these new scientific developments, which could usher in a brave, new world. We must rapidly come to understand its implications if we are to direct its huge potential to the good of humanity and the planet.

As the title might suggest, this book covers some of the latest technological developments in the life sciences with a particular emphasis on genome editing, optogenetics, stem cell technology and synthetic biology. As the author observes, the has been a long-standing tension between 'those who believe we should merely seek to understand the natural world and those who think we should actively manipulate and control it for human benefit. (p. 31) This is what Schumacher called the science of understanding and the science of manipulation. Most life scientists and technologists are in the latter camp, while those favouring harmony with nature are likely to be in the former. As with technological developments related to the singularity discussed above, this is a situation that provides us with unprecedented powers to manipulate the natural world while posing crucial questions about how these powers are to be used in a responsible fashion (p. 229). At one extreme, they could be used with evil intent to harm, while at the other they promise significant agricultural or medical benefits. Even the benefits argument is open to abuse in cases where researchers exaggerate these in order to provide an argument for further funding.

This highly informative book brings the reader right up-to-date with cutting-edge advances, literally in the case of genome editing - for instance CRISPR/CAS9 where and enzyme is used to cut the DNA and paste other DNA code into the genome. This is said to be more precise and efficient than earlier genetic engineering techniques. However, it is an extension of the same metaphors with refinements such as 'molecular scalpel'. After discussing the various technologies in more detail, the author looks at a number of scenarios in his final chapter (following regenerating life and life as a machine) on the prospects for a redesigned planet based on our historic capacity to make and use tools guided by our self-conscious awareness. The author sees our greatest challenge as global warming and offers the interesting prospect of modifying methane production in cows so as to reduce their contribution to this process. These developments are proceeding at such a pace that it is difficult for the public to keep up and still more so to ensure an unpolarised discussion especially with respect to modifying human brains or embryos. It is here that philosophers specialising in practical ethics have an important role to play.

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