La mejor manera de mostrar la relevancia de filósofos del pasado es utilizar su pensamiento para abordar problemas del presente. En este artículo se utiliza el pensamiento de Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955) para tratar las implicaciones ético-filosóficas de la edición genética. Tras una breve introducción a la edición genética y su situación actual, se analiza la relación entre el pensamiento de Ortega y la genética en dos planos. En primer lugar, mostrando cómo algunos planteamientos orteguianos -como la noción de falta (...) de naturaleza, de sobrenaturaleza, o de autofabricación- podrían servir para establecer unas bases filosóficas desde las que comprender el impacto de las tecnologías de edición genética en seres humanos. En segundo lugar, exponiendo varios puntos concretos del debate en torno a la edición genética en los que las ideas de Ortega resultan valiosas, como sería su respuesta al proyecto transhumanista y su contextualización histórica de las tecnologías de edición genética. (shrink)

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) has been the buzzword for genome editing in the past few years, especially with the birth of Lulu and Nana, twin girls who were genetically edited using the CRISPR/Cas system. To discuss this, a group of scientists, theologians, and ethicists gathered at the 2019 Institute on Religion in the Age of Science (IRAS) conference to discuss the implications of CRISPR gene editing. It became quickly apparent through our discussions that this CRISPR revolution will (...) impact not only human medicine, but any application that involves DNA in every organism from bacteria to plants and animals. Moreover, there are multiple stakeholders in this technology—not only the scientific community, but also the business, legal, and religious communities, to name a few. As a scientist myself, I am providing a brief overview of the scientific hopes and concerns about this powerful technology. (shrink)

Might the 2018 birth of two designer babies in China write the opening paragraph for the next chapter in the history of eugenics? The worldwide scientific community has tacitly put a moratorium on human clinical application of CRISPR gene editing, waiting until unknown risks can become known. But this ethical agreement has been breached, and calls are now being heard for more rigorous regulations. Perhaps religious and spiritual leaders can join the bioethical chant: the yellow light of caution is flashing.