CRISPR F.C. – the dangers of blurring ethical lines
As scientific research and experimentation reach unprecedented levels, we have seen the advances in the field of gene editing going from the hypothetical to proven and applied in a matter of years. It was over a year ago that the scientific world was rocked with the news that gene editing had been carried out on human embryos. This news was met with concern as well as intrigue and has pulled the ethical considerations when looking at new scientific breakthroughs into focus - just last week the scientist in question has been handed a 3 year prison sentence and hefty fine for carrying out the experiment.
When Jamiroquai sang about this back in 1996 did they think that it would take 22 years to get to a stage where virtual insanity became actual reality? It certainly did seem like science fiction back then but now as we are faced with a slew of complicated and messy ethical dilemmas, I wonder what the world could look like in another 22 years if there were no ethical considerations..
It is not inconceivable that certain regimes around the world would be interested in gaining an edge on the competition; we have countless examples of state sponsored doping to enhance athletes in all areas of sport, so why not take one step further? I offer you; CRISPR F.C. world champions of 2062!
In 2042, a small town in rural CRISPRLAND, there is an underground government facility carrying out gene editing programs in a bid to breed a whole generation of rising football stars. Research into the genetic makeup of history’s greatest players has been used to carefully select all elements of the “ideal” genome and these have been undergoing rigorous testing and benchmarking. Some initial assumptions have been quashed and with the new understanding that actually, combining the agility of Lionel Messi with the size of Adebayo Akinfenwa does not produce the 6 foot, 16 stone magician that was hoped for - there is now a formula that works. So now, with the latest generation of rising stars – almost impervious to injury and with stamina reserves that allow for a accelerated training sessions – there remains only the job of waiting for the inevitable, these CRISPR-kids to grow up and take the field in 2062, demolishing the competition who have failed to take advantage of these techniques and are still stuck in a “numbers game”, simply employing more data analysts to try to gain an edge.
Far-fetched it may seem but with rogue states and companies alike who are willing to break all the rules in a bid to survive and thrive it only takes the corruption of a few to start a potential landslide into a world of sci-fi.
