Cell and gene therapy are raising new ethical questions in clinical research and practice.
Dr. Robert Klitzman, Academic Director of the Master of Science in Bioethics program, joined DIA’s podcast, “Driving Insights to Action,” to discuss the ethical concerns.
“It will probably be the case that breast cancer, which now affects both wealthy people and poor people, will increasingly be a disease of poor people because wealthy people were able to get rid of the mutation from their families,” said Dr. Klitzman. “Is this the kind of world we want, where wealthy people can afford to have better genes?”
DIA is a global association that mobilizes life science professionals from across all areas of expertise to engage with patients, peers and thought leaders in a neutral environment on the issues of today and the possibilities for tomorrow.
The conversation covered the Pandora’s box of new questions that arise with this new gene-editing technology, such as the risks to the child, the right balance of regulations, and the philosophical challenges to the medical community and society at large.
Listen to the full podcast at DIA: Life Sciences and learn more about the M.S. in Bioethics program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies.
