Introducing Bioethics: The Case of Genome-Edited Children

Abstract The announcement of world's first genome-edited babies using CRISPR/Cas 9 has provoked shock around the world. The popular technique has allowed great scientific and medical advances, but it also raises scientific ethical issues. Therefore, we attempted to design a new pattern of class to help students understand both the technical principles of this cutting-edge genome-editing technique and to explore key controversies in its use, so as to cultivate students' concept of scientific ethics. The students' feedback showed that the organization of the class and resulting discussion were very successful. This class session helped students understand both the abstract technical concepts involved in CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing and about the scientific and medical ethics of its use. Our experiences show a helpful way for the teacher to improve students' interest, namely by connecting new scientific/technical breakthroughs to cultural events and scientific ethics.