The World of Gene Alteration in IVF and its (Potential) Dystopian Future

 Cara Leonard     9/8/24

The one constant in life is change, and that phrase does not stop with the scientific field. What was once regarded as a relatively unexplored topic can, within a few years, rapidly evolve and change the scope of not only the medical field, but society as well. One of these topics is gene alteration, the very embodiment of change. In a world where people in particular constantly remodel their appearance, create visages for their followers to see, or wish to create perfect children, gene alteration has begun to become a popular topic of discussion. The field in particular that individuals, including myself, are looking at, is gene alteration and deletion in invitro fertilization.

Invitro fertilization, also known as IVF, is regarded as an expensive series of procedures that allow couples struggling with fertility to conceive. The mayo clinic describes the specific process of IVF, where “mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then a procedure is done to place one or more of the fertilized eggs, called embryos, in a uterus” (Mayo Clinic). This procedure does experience success, especially in younger couples, with approximately 50 percent of implanted eggs resulting in a healthy baby. However, this is a field that is constantly adapting to increase its success and efficiency. 

As someone currently studying genetics and the ever-evolving expansion of various medical practices, IVF has always remained as a source of study due to its seemingly never-ending potential. Like many practices, it constantly changes as scientists and doctors seek more effective ways of success. That success is the embryo implanting in the uterus and forming a healthy baby. However, IVF is not just used for couples struggling with fertility; Many also seek the expensive procedure to prevent genetic diseases from passing onto their children. The majority of these diseases are caused by a single gene, invisible to the naked eye, yet can drastically alter or even shorten someone’s life.  

The idea of gene alteration is not new. In fact, it is most likely that there could be no monumental discovery in the field of biology in general. As John Horgan states in his article “Huge Study Confirms Science Ending! (Sort Of)” science is going into a period of normality, where there may be no more profound discoveries. Specifically, in his book The End of Science, he argues that “science has entered a period of permanent normality; there will be no more insights into nature as revolutionary as the theory of evolution, the double helix, quantum mechanics, relativity and the big bang” (Horgan 2019). Notice that the era of monumental discoveries is over, including gene alteration. However, advancements can be made within the field that will change the course of medicine, an applied science.

Even without major discoveries, society will continue to be revolutionized as medicine evolves and theories continue to be studied and tweaked for accuracy. In the world of IVF where scientists discover more efficient ways to alter certain genes, or discover how to alter genes encoding hair color, eye color, or IQ, without affecting other mutations. So, in a way, this field of applied science is supposedly limitless, right? 

I argue that the major limit for science is society. For example, before eras such as enlightenment allowed science to flourish without threat of execution, science was very lucrative and had to tiptoe around societal expectations painting it as a demonic practice. While the evolution of this field has allowed for revolutionized healthcare and an overall better quality life, one could argue that limits on science may be for the better.

Even in the modern day, there is already plenty of controversy over genetic modification in foods and plants as well. Many of these stem from unwanted change and the implications of a potentially dystopian future. In terms of reproduction, Dr. Catherine Racowsky, who spoke at the 10th Congress of the Asian Pacific Initiative of Reproduction”, stated that “the first reported birth from a genetically modified embryo was reported in China in 2018” (News Medical 2021). While this showed a massive leap for IVF and gene alteration, it sparked controversy because it violated international policy on gene editing. 

This fear continues as gene editing can pave the way for parents to artificially create the perfect children, handpicking their appearance, ability, and even IQ. In a world where people adore the most desirable traits and constantly change their appearance to fit them, there is no doubt that genetic alteration in IVF will continue to expand and change. It will continue to enforce the statement that nothing remains constant, though I can confidently say that my continued interest in this field will never change. 


Works Cited

“Embryo Gene Editing in IVF Can Have Potential Major Impacts on Humanity.” News - Medical - Life Sciences, 17 June 2023, www.news-medical.net/news/20210506/Embryo-gene-editing-in-IVF-can-have-potential-major-impacts-on-humanity.aspx. 

Horgan, John. “Huge Study Confirms Science Ending! (Sort Of).” John Horgan (The Science Writer), John Horgan (The Science Writer), 18 Apr. 2024, johnhorgan.org/cross-check/yrb9e7uefpeqrlkiasoc6octxtnm5g. 

“In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Sept. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716.

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