Could gene editing in humans be used to create super athletes?
It's an ethical and legal minefield ...
... but whenever has that stopped anyone?
Germline editing techniques like CRISPR
can remove genetic code, and replace it with new code ...
... which can then be inherited.
If we know the edits needed to make people
stronger, faster, smarter ...
... we might be able to create super athletes.
But there are some issues that may cause problems.
Is it feasible?
Is it ethical?
Is it legal?
Is it responsible?
Scientists don't yet know how to code well with DNA
The ethics of genetically designing super athletes are ...
... complicated!
And the legality of human germline editing
is in flux.
But someone's going to try making designer super athletes
The stakes are just too high for some countries.
So how do we prepare for a future of super athletes
when the designing's starting now?
The Arizona State University Global Sport Institute is beginning to look at this,
so we're not blindsided in the future.
Because one way or another,
human gene editing will be a game changer.
Risk Bites will have more on this as the study progresses ...
Stay tuned!
