Inheritance, Innovation, and Ideology: the Return of Eugenic Thinking inModern Gene Editing

This past year, I dove deep into a research project that challenged me to think critically about the intersection of genetics, ethics, and history. My paper, “Inheritance, Innovation, and Ideology: The Return of Eugenic Thinking in Modern Gene Editing,” examines the ways that modern gene editing tools, like CRISPR, echo the debates and ethical tensions of the early 20th-century eugenics movement. The inspiration for this project came from observing how rapidly genetic technologies are advancing and how discussions about who gets access, who benefits, and what counts as a “desirable” trait still feel eerily familiar. From forced sterilization policies in the early 1900s to gene-edited embryos in 2018, history shows us how science can be shaped and misused by ideology.

In this paper, I explored several core questions:

• How does scientific innovation carry ethical responsibilities?

• In what ways do biases and power dynamics shape conversations around genetics?

• How can we learn from the mistakes of the past to ensure equity in genetic medicine today?

I also analyzed a real-world case study: the use of CRISPR as a therapy for sickle cell disease, particularly Victoria Gray’s groundbreaking treatment. This example shows both the life-changing potential of gene editing and the urgent need for equity in access to these therapies, given their cost and availability.

Read my paper here: https://www.curieuxacademicjournal.com/_files/ugd/99711c_fa1adc03c5654272ade39e56c3ebdac0.pdf