The Human Rights Implications of Scientific Progress: A Case Study on Gene Editing and Disability Rights

Abstract

Gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 hold great promise for treating genetic diseases but also raise important ethical concerns, especially regarding disability rights. While gene editing can eliminate inherited diseases, it could also worsen ableism and widen social divides by reinforcing discrimination against people with disabilities. This article will talk about the ethical challenges of gene editing, focusing on the impact on marginalized groups, such as the Deaf community, who see their conditions as part of their identity rather than something to be fixed. The research will focus on practical examples, like gene therapy for sickle cell disease and editing embryos for hearing impairments, and highlight the limited access to these technologies, which could deepen inequality. It calls for stronger global guidelines that include input from disability communities to prevent the technology from reinforcing social divisions. The results show that without clear limits, gene editing may lead to a society that values genetic traits over diversity and human dignity, urging policies that promote fairness and inclusion.