Regulating the use of germline genetic engineering on humans

Abstract

Germline genetic engineering (GGE) technologies enable us to modify the genetic material of organisms, including humans. Since using GGE on humans comes with major possible harms, its development and use should be regulated. How should we proceed? Adopting a consequentialist normative framework, I argue that we need to avoid both overly permissive regulation – exposing stakeholders to harmful effects of GGE – and overly restrictive regulation – depriving stakeholders of the benefits of GGE. I analyse the most important factors that are likely to lead to regulation that is either too permissive or too restrictive and propose an institutional framework for policymaking in response. More precisely, I point to the need for case-by-case, constantly updated policy. I then point at the need for global policy to avoid regulation that is too permissive following in the wake of international economic competition. Finally, I identify a series of important psychological biases that are likely to lead to regulation that is too restrictive. In response, I develop a proposal to produce frequently updated global policy on a case-by-case basis in which the distorting effect of these biases is reduced as much as possible.