Prioritizing Women's Health in Germline Editing Research

Abstract

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Embryo editing technology and its effect on conceptions of motherhood

“…As much about the long term effects of gene editing on humans is still unknown, germline research requires the "involvement of women willing to gestate a modified human embryo," until an artificial uterus is created that duplicates a female's uterus carrying a baby [28]. The article, "Prioritizing Women's Health in Germline Editing Research," published in the AMA Journal of Ethics, indicates that previous data on assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization, insinuate that female subjects carrying genetically edited babies could face various health risks.…”

“…The article, "Prioritizing Women's Health in Germline Editing Research," published in the AMA Journal of Ethics, indicates that previous data on assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization, insinuate that female subjects carrying genetically edited babies could face various health risks. These women would be at an increased risk for obstetric complications, such as preeclampsia, placenta previa, placental abruption, and vasa previa, all deformities that would negatively affect the health of the mother [28]. In cleavage-stage embryos (the stage during which the zygote undergoes repeated mitotic division), "The microinjection of artificial nucleases into human embryos with chromosomal instability may also increase the rate of chromosomal breakage and aneuploidy via off-target effects" [29] [30].…”

“…Moreover, after birth, fetal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) persists in the maternal blood for months after delivering the baby, denoting that the modified genome of cfDNA would linger in maternal blood circulation for a period of time after birth. Due to the lack of research surrounding the effects of this persisting cfDNA during the postpartum period, it would be exceedingly important to observe the effects of how the modified cfDNA could affect maternal health in the months, years, or even generations after birth [28]. Current discussions around the health implications of gene editing emphasizes the health of the genetically modified offspring, but it is just as critical to discuss the health effects on the mother.…”

“…Current discussions around the health implications of gene editing emphasizes the health of the genetically modified offspring, but it is just as critical to discuss the health effects on the mother. Including the mother's interests and her health in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing research will promote the development of "scientifically and ethically justifiable safeguards that do not compromise the health of women subjects for the expected benefit of the fetus or child," and allows scientists to consider how women's roles as mothers and in general may be impacted by gene editing [28].…”

Initial heritable genome editing: mapping a responsible pathway from basic research to the clinic

“…There are risks involved with in vitro fertilisation (IVF), a procedure that the woman might choose even without i-HGE. Furthermore, there may be coercive social pressures on the intended mother of which she may not be aware (Farrell et al 2019(Farrell et al , p. 1074.…”