Convergence title: Exploring the Boundary between Human and Animal

Classes involved

“The Science & Ethics of Genome Editing” (Molecular Biology)
“Monsters, Robots, and Cyborgs” (German Studies)

Description

Faculty identified a point of commonality between classes as investigating the line between human and animal. Students were placed in small groups composed of students from both courses and given the following questions/cases to discuss:

1: Below are several examples of gene mutations that can create traits that we might associate with being superhuman or a superhero. Review these examples an answer the following questions: Can genome editing create a superhuman and change our thoughts on what it means to be human? What are the ethical concerns with engineering superhuman traits?

Feel no pain: Mutations in the SCN9A gene have been shown to lead to congenital analgesia. Could this be used to build a super soldier? The downside is that these individuals often hurt themselves accidentally, and cannot smell.

Double the muscle: Mutations in the myostatin (MYSTN) gene lead to increased muscle since the normal function is to limit muscle development. Examples of this mutation exist in some animals.

Rubber boy: Daniel Browning Smith holds the Guinness World Record for flexibility. “I can dislocate both arms, both legs, turn my torso 180 degrees and all kinds of crazy stuff,” Smith, 35, told ABC News’ “20/20.” He has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The downside is that there are risks to rupturing certain tissues such as the aorta and fragile skin. There are mutations in more than a few genes that can cause this, some of these genes encode collagen proteins of connective tissue.

Flash: Mutations in the NCoR1 gene in mice lead them to run twice as fast. The muscles are larger and have more mitochondria for energy

Stronger bones: Mutations in LRP5 would result in extra-strong and dense bones. The downside is a decrease in buoyancy.

2: Below are several examples of gene editing that can create traits that might cross the boundary between humans and animals. Review these examples an answer the following questions: What is the line between human and animal? Can genome editing blur the lines between human and animal? What are the ethical concerns with this use of the technology?

Echolocation in humans: Scientists have discovered that a single gene called Prestin is responsible for echolocation ability in bats and dolphins and there is a single amino acid change in these species compared to humans and other non-echolocating animal. So it seems plausible to engineer this trait and one blind person has trained themselves to use a crude form of echolocation and can use it to ride a bike in crowded conditions.

Speech in apes: The FOXP2 gene is strongly linked to verbal speech in humans. The human version of this gene is only slightly different (2 amino acids) from the version of this gene in other apes, such as chimpanzees and gorillas. It is plausibly that gene-editing technology could change the genome of a chimp or gorilla to have the human version and perhaps enable them to have more complex vocal communication.

Pig organs in humans: A biotech company called eGenesis is working on editing the genome of pigs to make them immunologically compatible with humans for the purposes of organ transplantation (xenotransplantation). Human-animal hybrids: On the flip side, there is some research into transferring human cells into animal embryos to have the human cells contribute to making a human organ inside of an animal host to create a human organ for transplant. The pancreas is one target for this technology. Using some genetic tricks, the human cells can be edited such that they can only become a specific organ, and not other tissues. But what if that doesn't work as intended...

3: Read the following quotes and discuss the questions below.

“Healing is the initial justification for every upgrade. Find some professors experimenting in genetic engineering or brain-computer interfaces, and ask them why they are engaged in such research. In all likelihood they would reply that they are doing it to cure disease. ‘With the help of genetic engineering,’ they would explain, ‘we could defeat cancer. And if we could connect brains to computers directly, we could cure schizophrenia.’ Maybe, but it will surely not end there. When we successfully connect brains and computers, will we use this technology only to cure schizophrenia? If anybody really believes this, then they may know a great deal about brains and computers, but far less about the human psyche and human society. Once you achieve a momentous breakthrough, you cannot restrict its use to healing and completely forbid using it for upgrading” (55)

Scrutinize Harari’s use of the word “cure” (which is different from “healing”) and “disease” and place it in the context of eugenics and biological racism, the medical model of disability, and the institutionalization and general treatment of people with disabilities.
How is the notion of “upgrading” entangled with ableism?
Why is the difference between “curing” and “healing” important in the context of upgrading?

Harari writes that “success breeds ambition, and our recent achievements are now pushing humankind to set itself even more daring goals” (20).

How far is too far when it comes to gene editing and human upgrading?
What dangers inhere in the drive to overcome our limitations?