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The purpose of this blog is to stimulate thought and discussion about important issues in healthcare. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily express the views of CMDA. We encourage you to join the conversation on our website and share your experience, insight and expertise. CMDA has a rigorous and representative process in formulating official positions, which are largely limited to bioethical areas.

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British Scientists to Genetically Modify Human Embryos

February 11, 2016

by David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics)

Excerpted from “UK scientists given go-ahead to genetically modify human embryos,” CNN. February 1, 2016 — British scientists have been given the green light to genetically modify human embryos, for the first time in the nation’s history. The landmark decision means scientists will now be allowed to alter the DNA of embryos, for research purposes only.

It remains illegal for these genetically altered embryos to be implanted in a woman. It is hoped the experiments will improve our understanding of the earliest stages of embryo development. The research, which was approved by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, will use excess embryos donated by couples who have had in vitro fertilization treatment.

The research, which will be led by Dr. Kathy Niakan, will take place at the Francis Crick Institute in London and has been hailed as a “triumph for common sense” by leading figures of the British science community. “This decision … is a victory for level-headed regulation over moral panic,” added Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust.

However, the research has also raised concerns that it could pave the way for “designer babies” — going beyond health improvements and modifying everything from a child’s eye color to intelligence.

It is not the first time a country has genetically modified human embryos. In April of last year, scientists in China became the first in the world to edit a gene that causes a blood disorder. That same month, the U.S. National Institutes of Health released a statement saying it would not fund gene editing technologies in human embryos.

Commentary

CMDA CEO David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics): “The Crick Institute plans to use ‘spare’ embryos and CRISPR-Cas9 technology to identify and ultimately repair gene(s) defects that prevent implantation. They promise to destroy all the embryos by the 14 day blastocyst stage and to not implant them. They may also create human embryos for destructive research: ‘…it may be necessary to create IVF embryos specifically for the research.’ They maintain that there isn’t a slippery slope to genetically modified babies, which begs the question of why do the research if you aren’t going to use it for treatment?

“If you can use this study protocol for genetic mutations preventing implantation, which aren’t a huge problem, don’t diabetes and a host of much more common diseases deserve this same type of research? Plus you get a bonus. You solve the problem of all those frozen human beings in IVF labs going to waste!

“We cross another red line, while much of the world yawns! People don’t want to eat genetically modified crops, but they don’t have a problem genetically modifying human beings.”

David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics)

David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics)

Dr. David Stevens, MD (Ethics), author of Jesus, MD, Beyond Medicine and co-author of Leadership Proverbs and Servant Leadership and serves as CEO Emeritus of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), a national organization of Christian healthcare professionals that seeks to change hearts in healthcare. As untold thousands of people who have heard him preach could attest, Dave Stevens is a gifted storyteller and a powerful Christian communicator with a passion for evangelism and a deep understanding and respect for the integrity of God’s Word.

As the son of an itinerant Methodist evangelist who, like John Wesley himself, truly saw the world as his parish, Dave comes by his speaking skills honestly. He’s honed his talent over the years in an incredible variety of settings. Whether he’s recruiting tribal leaders to provide volunteer support for a community health initiative in rural Kenya, preaching at American mega-church missions conferences, testifying before a panel of Washington politicians on Capitol Hill or challenging an auditorium full of healthcare professionals to better integrate their personal faith with their professional practice, Dave knows how to hook and hold an audience. While always unashamedly Christian in terms of his convictions and values, Dave can hold his own in non-Christian and even decidedly anti-Christian settings. His ability to clearly communicate difficult spiritual truths, foundational biblical values, scientific facts and thorny bioethical issues gives him an authoritative voice to speak out frequently on behalf of the American Christian healthcare community. It’s also enabled him to initiate and lead a program that has trained thousands of Christian healthcare professionals how to use, but not abuse, their authority to be and offer spiritual light and salt in a world where so many patients need more than physical healing.

As a leading, trusted spokesman for Christian healthcare professionals, Dr. Stevens has conducted thousands of media interviews, including JAMA, USA Today, Newsweek, NBC's Today Show, NBC Nightly News, BBC-World Television, CNN and National Public Radio. He has also appeared on FOX Family Channel, PAX-Television, Tech TV, The Odyssey Channel, America's Health Network and many other national outlets. He has written numerous book chapters and magazine articles. Prior to authoring his first book, he wrote a regular health column for the Promise Keepers' New Man magazine and served on the editorial board of Christian Single magazine.

Dr. Stevens is also heard as host of the CMDA Healthwise Public Service Announcements, which address general health and bioethical issues. CMDA members hear him as the host of the popular Christian Doctor’s Digest audio magazine, which has featured national leaders such as Kay Arthur, John Stonestreet, Jim Cymbala, Newt Gingrich and Luis Lugo.

Dr. Stevens holds degrees from Asbury College and the University of Louisville School of Medicine and is board certified in family medicine. He earned a master’s degree in bioethics from Trinity International University in 2002 and has served on the boards of Asbury University and World Gospel Mission. He is a fellow of the Biotechnology Policy Council of the Wilberforce Forum and helped found the National Embryo Donation Center. Dr. Stevens and his wife Jody have a son, Jason, and two daughters, Jessica and Stacy, and 10 grandchildren, all of who are involved in domestic or international healthcare ministry.