Frequently asked questions
How tight are the HFEA legislations?
Very, this is because legislation changed after an incident in 2018 with a scientist, He Jiankui.
What happened in the 2018 incident?
The scientist He Jiankui, used CRISPR to genetically engineer embryos and implant them back into the mother, who later gave birth to two babies, "Lulu" and" Nana".
His justification for this controversial experiment was to confer resistance to HIV, as the father of the babies was HIV-positive. The investigation revealed that his experiment violated international regulations governing the modification of germline cells, as he had mutated the CCR5 gene without understanding the broader implications. Outrage sparked when scientists explained the potential role of CCR5 in brain function and He Jiankui's intention to enhance the IQ of the embryos.
What is the best media portrayal of Genetic engineering?
The public relies on the media to learn about science in an often-simplified manner. The film Rampage, released in 2018, highlights the use of CRISPR in genetic engineering to make a gorilla, crocodile, and a wolf become more prominent, faster, stronger and more aggressive. This is truthful however, how CRISPR Cas9 delivery in the film isn't factual.
[ Link to Process page]
Are there GM crops being grown in the UK?
In 2016, the Royal Society released a booklet answering FAQ about genetic engineering. In the booklet, they highlighted that there are currently no GM crops being grown commercially in the UK, although scientists are carrying out controlled trials.
However, in 2023, it was revealed that Gene-edited food can now be developed commercially in England following a change in the law.
With genetic engineering developing so fast will our world become like GATTACA?
The 1997 film Gattaca portrayed a future in which genetic engineering, especially in embryos, dictates societal roles.
From what is known about genetic engineering of embryos, the selection of desirable traits can be achieved; however, with the tight HFEA legislation, this cannot be completed unless used for saviour siblings.
[ Link to applications page ]
Are some things shown in GATTACA real ?
Gattaca was released 25 years before the CRISPR-Cas9 revolution, so the genetic engineering of embryos for enhanced characteristics seemed very much like fiction. However, some aspects of the film, such as DNA testing, were rooted in scientific reality at the time—this technique was first used in the UK in 1986 to match a suspect's DNA with evidence from a crime scene. The film depicts people using fingerprints, hair, and blood samples to identify individuals and map their genomes to analyse signs of gene editing.
Is the opening of Rampage correct?
The opening of Rampage 2018 starts with a title sequence, “In 1993, a breakthrough new technology known as CRISPR gave scientists a path to treat incurable diseases through genetic editing. In 2016, due to its potential for misuse, the US Intelligence Community designated genetic editing a weapon of mass destruction and proliferation. While CRISPR was listed by James Clapper, director of National Intelligence, as a threat, the mechanism by which scientists alter the genes of the organisms was developed much later than 1993 (Miller, 2019).
so, to answer, the title sequence is not truthful in regards to the real-life discovery of CRISPR-Cas9.
[ Link to recent BBC news article ]
References:
Miller, N (2019) CRISPR Rampage. Center for Science and the Imagination. Available at: https://csi.asu.edu/ideas/crispr-rampage/. (Accessed 1 April 2025)
Hirsch, F., Lemaitre, C., Chneiweiss, H. and Montoliu, L (2019) Genome Editing: Promoting Responsible Research. Pharmaceutical Medicine, 33(3), pp.187–191.
Rampage (2018) Directed by Brad Peyton. [Feature Film]. United States Warner Bros.Pictures
Raposo, V.L (2019) The First Chinese Edited Babies: A Leap of Faith in Science. JBRA Assisted Reproduction, 23(3), pp. 197–199.
Gattaca (1997) Directed by Andrew Niccol. [ Feature Film] United States, Sony Pictures releasing
Image :
MCH (2024) Examining Methylation, Transulfuration, and Folate Pathways: A Closer Look at this Intricate Biochemistry - Dr. Pradeep Albert. Dr. Pradeep Albert. Available at: https://drpradeepalbert.com/examining-methylation-transulfuration-and-folate-pathways-a-closer-look-at-this-intricate-biochemistry/ (Accessed 30 April 2025)