On my video - Genetically Engineering Pigs to Reduce Environmental Pollution - I received a comment which included a series of important questions on genetic engineering. I was going to reply to the comment directly, but instead decided to do a video reply - Answering Your Questions on Genetic Engineering: Unintended Consequences, Science Models and Risks.
The questions raised in the comment can be broken down into four main areas of concern:
1. Understanding Unintended Consequences in Genetic Engineering
One of the central questions was about the potential unintended consequences of genetic engineering. While science has made remarkable progress, particularly with tools like CRISPR, it's essential to acknowledge that we still need to fully understand all biological systems. This incomplete picture means that, despite our best efforts, we can’t always predict every outcome of genetic modification.
For example, altering a gene in an organism may have unexpected downstream effects. In one case, when scientists genetically engineered babies to be resistant to HIV by removing the CCR5 receptor, they found off-target genetic changes that could have unintended consequences. I discuss these issues in my video - CRISPR Case Studies: Ethical Dilemmas and Revolutionary Applications.
Similarly, work in which I was involved on genetically modified potatoes showed that removing a harmful compound caused the plant to produce a different compound with potentially more harmful effects. You can get the full story in my video - Unexpected Challenges in Genetic Engineering: A Case Study on GM Crops.
The lesson? Genetic engineering requires caution. Scientists must always consider not only the intended outcomes but also the potential for unintended consequences.
2. The Incomplete Nature of Scientific Models
In the comment on the pooping pig video, I was asked whether I ever consider the incomplete nature of our understanding—whether scientific models are accurate or could fail in the long term. The simple answer is yes; I am well aware of this.
For example, at the start of my PhD studies, our understanding of insulin signalling was very basic. However, over the three years it took me to complete my PhD, scientists around the world significantly added to our knowledge and understanding. The model went from a simple black box to a complicated network involving many proteins. However, even this model is imperfect, and new discoveries are constantly reshaping our understanding.
This is true for all areas of biology, including genetic engineering. The more we experiment, the more we refine our models. However, the fact that our models are incomplete doesn’t mean we should stop pursuing genetic modification—it simply means we must proceed with caution and a sense of responsibility.
3. Ethical Concerns: Should We Be Playing God?
Another critical question raised was whether scientists are "playing God" by tinkering with nature. The concern here is that humanity might be overstepping its boundaries by altering the genetic makeup of living organisms.
Humans have indeed been manipulating nature for millennia, from selecting plants and animals for desirable traits to breeding dogs with specific characteristics. However, modern genetic engineering tools, such as CRISPR, allow us to make more precise and rapid changes, bypassing the slow process of natural selection and breeding.
While genetic engineering has the potential to solve significant problems—such as developing disease-resistant crops or addressing hereditary health issues—ethical considerations must remain at the forefront. Just because we can modify genes doesn't always mean we should.
4. Safeguards and the Role of Scientific Scrutiny
A significant factor that should be considered is the safeguards scientists put in place to prevent unintended consequences from spiralling out of control. For instance, if we genetically modify an organism, we can sequence its entire genome to ensure no other changes were made. This type of oversight is crucial when dealing with changes that could have long-term effects on ecosystems or human health.
The issue of gene drives—where genetic changes are engineered to spread through a population—is of particular concern as once released, there’s no way to reverse such changes. This makes it all the more important to thoroughly study and assess the implications before moving forward.
A Balanced Approach to Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering holds immense promise but also carries significant risks. It is the duty of scientists to consider both the benefits and the possible dangers. By continuing to question the work, refine the models, and engaging with ethical concerns, science can harness the potential of genetic engineering in a way that’s safe and beneficial for society.
At the heart of this debate lies a critical question: how do we balance innovation with responsibility? And we should always consider the question — just because we can, should we?
