Human genetic engineering has a prominent place in my works, where thanks to advances in the field, people live long lives free from any number of diseases and conditions. I envision a future where humans have been able to grow into an interstellar civilization thanks to genetic alterations allowing them to survive in conditions otherwise too harsh for human life. The idea of genetically modifying humans has long been a staple of science fiction, but for the most part it has remained just that, science fiction. While we have altered the genes of plants and other animals, we have been understandably apprehensive about altering the genetic code of living humans, until now.
The end of 2017 marked a major step forward in this regard, as doctors made the first attempt at editing the genes of a living patient to treat a disease. (In this case it was to treat Hunter’s Syndrome, an inherited metabolic disorder). 2018 may prove to be an even more eventful year in this regard, as several gene therapy trials are planned for the treatment of genetic diseases including hemophilia and retinitis pigmentosa. Gene therapies may represent a way to cure some of these debilitating conditions, which until now have only been treatable. For example, hemophilia, caused by a deficiency of clotting factors, can be treated with weekly injections. But a gene therapy could allow an afflicted individual to produce these clotting factors themselves, effectively curing them and allowing them to live a disease free life.
These are just some of the conditions that could potentially be treated or cured using gene therapies. In addition to the treatment of genetic diseases and disorders, some researchers have also investigated the potential of using gene therapies to extend human lives. Given the recent advances in the field, it is inevitable that gene therapies will play a major role in the future of medicine.
How these Advances Influence my Writing
With so much happening now, I find it fascinating to envision what might be hundreds or even thousands of years from now. In a distant future, it is quite possible that most of the human race may have in some way been modified by gene therapies, either directly or as a result of modified genes being passed on through what is known as germline modification. The prospect of what life may look like when genetic diseases and disorders have been eliminated and gene therapies are considered normal medical treatment may no longer lie solely in the realm of science fiction. Perhaps not soon, but eventually this could have a very real effect on the way people live; this is a part of the future I try to portray in my writings.
The greatest effect on society would likely stem from drastically extended lifespans. People living healthy lives for decades, perhaps even a century longer than they do today, would lead to extraordinary societal shifts. First, people would likely work much longer than they do today. While this might seem terrible to us now, it may not be relative to such a long lifespan. Second, a major shift in policies regarding retirement and benefits such as Social Security would be necessitated, likely reflecting the fact that people would be working for much longer. Finally, there would be a significant shift in attitudes about age. Significantly extended lifespans would naturally lead to concepts of old age and youth being redefined. Now, almost everyone considers those 80 years and over to be elderly, what does society look like when it is middle age? What happens when 80 is considered the new 30? While I do not explicitly address these questions in my works, these questions and many more like them are things I consider when depicting a society of the future.
Another important consideration is that the societal changes that could be brought about by genetic engineering would not occur overnight. The effects would be felt slowly, spread out over many years, perhaps even centuries, thus avoiding the shock brought about by sudden changes. While still very theoretical, all of these concerns are things we may be forced to address in the future.
Moral and Ethical Considerations
No discussion of human genetic engineering would be complete without at least mentioning the myriad of moral and ethical issues surrounding it. There tend to be many differing and often contentious opinions on the topic. However, since it seems that human gene therapies will be a part of the future, the debate over whether to not we should do it appears moot. I would therefore like to focus on a more practical consideration, and one that I have considered a great deal when writing, the question of what sort of gene therapies should be allowed.
As these treatments advance I imagine few people having objections when it comes to treating or curing debilitating or lethal conditions. However, what happens when we consider mere abnormalities that would have limited impact on living a normal life? Where do we draw the line between treatment and enhancement? For example, if we discover an abnormal gene that makes people resistant to a disease, should otherwise healthy people with a normal gene be treated to make them resistant to this disease? These questions fall into a large grey area, and they are just a few of the questions that arise when considering the possibilities of gene therapies.
On the far end of this spectrum are cosmetic changes and outright augmentations; often brought up in this context are designer babies. With gene therapies it becomes possible to select eye color, hair color, enhance intelligence, or change any number of traits in a baby long before birth. For obvious reasons this is one of the most controversial aspects of human gene therapies, and ultimately requires us not only to decide if cosmetic changes should be allowed, but also to define what can be allowed from a standpoint of enhancements and augmentations. The controversy surrounding these issues is only going to grow in the future as they move from theoretical discussions to actual issues that must be addressed. Regardless of our individual stances on human genetic engineering, it is here and it is going to play a growing role in the future of medicine and perhaps human evolution.
