HUMAN GENOME EDITING VIS-À-VIS RIGHT TO HEALTH

The paper explores the feasibility and ethical considerations of using gene editing to improve health outcomes, emphasizing the broader context of the Right to Health. It delves into the complex dynamics between gene editing technology and this fundamental right, highlighting the impact on future generations’ health. The author contends that while gene editing could offer significant health benefits, such as the eradication of genetic diseases, it also poses risks to autonomy, privacy, and data security. These risks are particularly significant when considering the potential violation of personal rights in light of right to health, if the technology is misused. Gene editing holds the potential to revolutionize medicine, but it raises profound moral, legal, and ethical questions that science alone cannot answer. Society bears the responsibility of addressing these issues through robust legal frameworks and comprehensive research to ensure that human rights are not compromised. The paper argues that while the allure of disease-free offspring is compelling, this must be balanced against the need for safeguards to protect health as a fundamental right. In light of these considerations, the author advocates for a careful, regulated approach to gene editing, with laws and ethical guidelines that account for both the benefits and the potential harm.