Exploring the ethical implications of genetic advances in 2025
Imagine being able to edit your genetic information with the same ease as correcting a text document. CRISPR technology, one of the most precise gene editing tools developed to date, has made this idea a reality. In 2025, we have witnessed historic milestones: from the first personalized CRISPR therapy for a baby with a rare genetic disease to effective treatments for sickle cell anemia and certain types of cancer. These advances, which seemed like science fiction just a decade ago, raise fundamental questions that transcend the laboratory: Where do we establish ethical boundaries? How do we ensure that the power to manipulate the code of life does not erode the principles of human dignity that form the foundation of our society? This article explores this new frontier, where science meets the essence of what it means to be human.
The first successful human genome sequencing was completed in 2003, taking 13 years and costing nearly $3 billion. Today, genome sequencing can be done in hours for less than $1,000.
The landscape of genetic medicine has undergone a radical transformation in recent years. Gene therapy approaches are no longer theoretical but are applied in hospitals worldwide with extraordinary results.
Gene editing is also being explored to address global health problems. Gene drives are being investigated to modify mosquito populations and control diseases such as dengue and malaria 3 .
"Genetics transcends its own scientific field: it is inescapably loaded with ethical dilemmas of all kinds." 2
The so-called "biotechnology era" confronts us with new forms of dominion over human life without precedent. The core of this concern lies in whether the purely scientific vision of the human being could reduce us to mere sets of genes, denying our moral and spiritual dimension.
The UNESCO Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights, established in 1997, addresses precisely this tension. In its Article 1, it proclaims: "The human genome is the basis of the fundamental unity of all members of the human family and of the recognition of their intrinsic dignity and diversity. In a symbolic sense, it is the heritage of humanity" 7 .
The UNESCO Declaration establishes that the human genome is the "heritage of humanity" in a symbolic sense, emphasizing our shared biological foundation while protecting individual rights.
In early 2025, a multi-institutional team achieved an unprecedented breakthrough: the development of a personalized CRISPR therapy for a baby with CPS1 deficiency, a rare and potentially fatal metabolic disease. What was extraordinary was not only the result but the speed of the process: from development to administration of the therapy took only six months 1 .
Scientists sequenced the baby's genome to identify the specific mutation causing CPS1 deficiency.
A personalized CRISPR-Cas9 system was designed to correct exactly the identified mutation.
CRISPR components were encapsulated in Lipid Nanoparticles (LNP) as delivery vehicles.
Treatment was infused intravenously, allowing LNPs to deliver editing components directly to liver cells.
The treatment has been a resounding success. The baby has not presented serious side effects and shows significant improvement in symptoms, with less dependence on medications. Most importantly: the baby is now growing well and is at home with the parents 1 .
"The challenge now is to move from CRISPR for one to CRISPR for all" - Fyodor Urnov, Innovative Genomics Institute 1
The relationship between genetics and ethics has evolved significantly over the past three decades. As explained in a recent analysis in the European Journal of Human Genetics, we can identify "three waves" in UNESCO's response to genetic advances 5 :
Focused on the human genome as "heritage of humanity," with emphasis on inherent dignity and unity of the human species.
Shifted toward protection of individual genetic data, emphasizing consent, privacy, and non-discrimination.
Adopted a broader perspective, considering social responsibilities, structural discrimination, and group vulnerabilities.
Existing CRISPR therapies, such as Casgevy, have very high costs, limiting access for many patients, particularly in developing countries 5 .
The CRISPR medicine landscape is being shaped by market forces. As noted in a 2025 update, "investors seek profitability, which means companies are reducing their product portfolios and developing fewer new therapies for fewer diseases" 1 .
In 2025, there have been significant cuts in government funding for scientific and biomedical research, bringing scientific funding to its lowest level in decades 1 .
To better understand how these technologies work, let's explore the key elements used in contemporary genetic research:
| Tool/Method | Main Function | Exemplary Applications |
|---|---|---|
| CRISPR-Cas9 System | Precise gene editing through targeted DNA cutting | Correction of mutations in hereditary diseases |
| Lipid Nanoparticles (LNP) | Non-viral delivery of gene editing components | Therapy for hATTR and CPS1 deficiency 1 |
| Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) | Simultaneous analysis of multiple genes | Molecular profiling of tumors 4 |
| Immunohistochemical Markers | Identification of specific proteins in tissues | Classification of gliomas (IDH1, ATRX, p53) 9 |
| CRISPR Phage Therapy | Use of modified bacterial viruses with CRISPR | Treatment of resistant bacterial infections 1 |
These tools are revolutionizing not only therapeutic approaches but also basic research, allowing scientists to understand gene function and regulation with unprecedented precision.
The development of more precise CRISPR systems (like base editing and prime editing) and improved delivery methods continue to expand the possibilities of genetic medicine.
As genetic technologies continue to advance, so must our ethical framework. In 2025, the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights turns 20 years old, which has generated debates about whether a revision is needed to address recent developments in genomic editing 5 .
The fundamental question is whether ethical frameworks should consist of a short list of immutable universal principles or should grow in complexity to address each new ethical challenge. As noted in the analysis by Gaydarska and colleagues, "achieving international consensus requires that at least the core elements of declarations should not be easily changed over time, regardless of changes in technology and society" 5 .
Global consensus on genetic ethics requires ongoing dialogue between scientists, ethicists, policymakers, and the public across different cultural contexts.
Increasing genetic literacy among the general public is essential for informed societal decisions about the direction of genetic research and applications.
Advances in genetics have granted us unprecedented power to modify the very essence of life. However, this power must be guided by a solid ethical compass that maintains at its center the irreducible human dignity.
"Betting on the ethical control of the course of the scientific and technological process through the paradigm of human dignity becomes essential." 2
The true challenge does not reside in the technology itself, but in our collective wisdom to use it in a way that honors our shared humanity. The genetic future is already here, and it invites us to find the balance between bold innovation and the preservation of the values that define us as a civilization.