Governance of gene editing in South Africa: Towards addressing the ethico-legal hiatus

Abstract

Advances in biotechnology have made human gene editing a reality. Progress in the field is gaining momentum and promises for well-being at a level not previously imagined emerge. This progress also raises ethical, legal and social considerations together with valid concerns that the law and ethics are lagging behind. Gene editing involves precise additions, deletions and alterations to the genome. Basic science research in gene editing is already underway in laboratories globally. Clinical applications involving somatic (non-reproductive) cells are in the early stages and, going forward, there is great potential for the use of this technology in germline cells. Currently, South Africa does not have an ethico-legal framework in place for the governance of gene editing, and while we contemplate catching up in this regard, the first CRISPR-edited babies have already arrived. 1 The First South African Conference on Gene Editing -an initiative of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of the Witwatersrand -brought together local and international experts at the end of November 2019 to discuss and debate these issues and to inform appropriate and relevant recommendations. The conference organisers were Professors Glenda Gray, Ames Dhai, Martin Veller and Daynia Ballot.