On Monday November 26th of 2018, the Associated Press reported that a Chinese laboratory
led by Dr. He Jiankui helped make the first genetically engineered human children, a set of twins. Dr.
He’s team purportedly attempted to alter a gene called CCR5 in these embryos, with the hopes ofgiving the children future resistance to HIV infection. These claims are not verified as of this writing.

What is Human Germline Engineering?
Human germline editing is a process by which a human’s DNA code is altealtered
red in such a way thatthe changes will be passed to future generations. The ‘gene edits’ impact the person being treated aswell as future generations. We can contrast this with ‘gene therapy’ where cells may be geneticallyaltered to treat disease, but these changes cannot be transmitted to their children. All outcomes ofgene editing, good or bad, are permanent in the treated cells. If it can be used safely for humangermline editing, the technology holds potential to improve lives and prevent illnesses
illnesthat cannot beaddressed by other methods and ensure that a hereditary disease is no longer passed down in a family.
Human germline editing has been a subject of debate for decades, but has recently become
more technically feasible following advances in gene editing technologies. Ethical and safety concerns
must be considered to ensure that if humanity chooses to proceed with using the technology, it is donein a safe and responsible manner. It is an important debate to be had between scientists, the public,
and policymakers and while there is great potential in the technology, its impact will be felt by all.

The Genome Writers Guild Response
The Genome Writers Guild joins the rest of the scientific community in significant concern overthe purported
ted news and awaits more information regarding the validity, approach, and oversight ofthis research. Issues like human germline editing demand continued engagement, education, andconstructive discussion with the public. Science is meant to serve the cocommonmmon good, and technologies
like human germline editing impact everyone. Decisions of this magnitude and impact do not belong to
any one individual or small group and must be considered in the context of all of humanity. The newsof the Chinese laboratory makes this discussion more publicly visible and, as expected, anoverwhelmingly negative response from the scientific community has resulted. However, the debate
about human germline editing is just beginning, and it is important that we do not make hasty
hastdecisions, in either direction, on this topic just because it suddenly entered the news. Gene editing
technologies are powerful and in many ways are able to provide invaluable benefit to humanity if
carried out responsibly. To do so while not preventi
preventing
ng progress, transparency and understanding arerequired. The Genome Writers Guild seeks to take advantage of this moment to encourage scientists
GenomeWritersGuild.org | A genome engineering society building a better future for humanity through genome engineering and public education

and members of the public alike to get informed and start an open, respectful conversation on where
genome engineering including gene editing should head.

Genome Writers Guild Mission
The Genome Writers Guild is comprised of researchers, physicians, students, entrepreneurs, investors,
government representatives, futurists, artists and interested public members who seek to engage thescientific community, policymakers, and the public to develop a code of conduct and collectiveresponsibility regarding genome engineering and gene editing technologies through education,dissemination of ideas, dialogue, and constructive discussion.

GenomeWritersGuild.org | A genome engineering society building a better future for humanity through genome engineering and public education