India’s vast population contains a full spectrum of diseases and their variations. The potential of gene editing can be unlocked, but only if the technology is used for the betterment of many, not exclusively the elite. The moral and ethical aspects of this research must be considered in governance frameworks and ethical review to promote access and public engagement. A dialogue between technologists, policymakers, and communities can help align gene editing initiatives with human values. Can these promising technologies offer India’s diverse population hope rather than frustration?
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Clinical Research in Resource-Limited Settings: A Consensus by a CIOMS Working Group. [Internet]. Geneva, Switzerland: The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS); 2021; doi: 10.56759/cyqe7288
2.
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission [Internet]. About Mission. Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. Available from: https://sickle.nhm.gov.in/home/about
3.
JainD, GuptaM, MadkaikarM, et al.Sickle cell disease in India: Current status and progress. Lancet Haematol, 2024; 11(5):e322–e323; doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(24)00109-1
KarulkarA, JainH, ShahS, et al.Making anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy accessible and affordable: First-in-human phase I clinical trial experience from India. Blood, 2022; 140(Suppl 1):4610–4611; doi: 10.1182/blood-2022-168928
6.
GenomeIndia Project. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Available from: https://genomeindia.in/index.php
Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM). Department of biotechnology, ministry of science and technology, Government of India. Available from: https://ibkp.dbtindia.gov.in/
14.
Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Government of India. Available from: https://moef.gov.in/
Directorate General of Foreign Trade [Internet]. Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Available from: https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/
17.
RuedaJ, BeriainM, MontoliuL. Affordable pricing of CRISPR treatments is a pressing ethical imperative. Crispr J, 2024; 7(5):220–226; doi: 10.1089/crispr.2024.0042
18.
BrousseV, ReesD. Sickle cell disease: More than a century of progress. Where do we stand now? Indian J Med Res, 2021; 154(1):4–7; doi: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_1435_21
19.
BarbosaS, Pare ToeL, ThizyD, et al.Engagement and social acceptance in genome editing for human benefit: Reflections on research and practice in a global context. Wellcome Open Res, 2020; 5:244; doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16260.2
