Genetic editing may not be a good thing

I refer to the report “In a first, scientists edit out disease-causing mutation from embryos” (Aug 4), on scientists successfully editing genes in human embryos to repair a common and serious disease-causing mutation.

Technology is advancing at such a pace that in time to come, I believe, the editing of genes will be common.

Genetic editing is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it would aid in correcting defective genes, enabling more babies to be born healthy. This would relieve the burden on parents who would otherwise have to raise a disabled child.

On the other hand, I fear that genetic editing may be abused to allow the reproduction of ideal offspring, for example, with greater intelligence. In a competitive society, parents would want their children to be the cream of the crop.

If many have this mindset, and thousands of equally intelligent children are produced, living environments would change. The pace of life would increase. The world would become a very competitive place.

The imperfections in today’s world make us all unique in our own ways. I support gene editing if it is used to cure diseases, for healthy babies to be born, but not to modify children for perfection. Every child is different.