Click here for audio version of the text below.

Regarding the issue of human enhancement, broad engagement is even more important, as research and development aimed at non-therapeutic enhancement and overcoming disabilities might increasingly stigmatise people with disabilities and have a negative impact on public investment for other inclusion measures. Moreover, in the longer term, such research and development activities may exacerbate socio-economic inequalities in general. Consideration of such social aspects should be systematically included in any work undertaken by the research ethics committees for developments relevant to this topic.

Lastly, while on the subject of gene editing, justice, and equality, we should keep in mind that the potential benefits of CRISPR technology are not limited to therapeutic or enhancement effects. There are also financial benefits for the technology developers and owners, but the issue of who developed or owns CRISPR is complex as summarised in the next video.