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Much of genetic engineering is a blackbox. Many macro physical traits are associated with a gene (or several genes) through a probabilistic quantity indicating that a lot of what we are dealing with is a blackbox where we only establish correlations with inputs and outputs. However, I am addressing the ethics of genetically engineering humans not the ethics of using a technology where we possess limited understanding. The gap of understanding is closing and will no longer be a valid excuse in the near future.

In fact, there are many traits and genetic diseases where we know 100% the mechanism that triggers it all the way down to gene. See here:

https://www.genome.gov/10001204/specific-genetic-disorders/

What is the ethical reasoning stopping people from using CRISPR on these diseases?

I am still against the usage of CRISPR to cure these diseases because it opens a door for the creation of a race of genetically superior humans. I am against this purely for selfish reasons.





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