[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Medical ethics](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/) › [Sexual and reproductive health](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/areas/reproductive/) › Human genome editing # Human genome editing - Topic Changing a person's DNA to treat a disease is accepted under study; changing it so it passes to their children is still rejected. Updated Nov 13, 2026 ## Key points - Somatic: not inherited, assessed like any new therapy. Heritable germline: passes to children and is rejected for now. - WHO (2019): it would be irresponsible at this time to proceed with clinical applications of human germline genome editing. - WHO (2021): governance framework and recommendations, with a global registry of gene-editing trials. - Oviedo Convention, art. 13: only preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic interventions, and never to modify the genome of descendants. - Colombia, Criminal Code, art. 132: genetic manipulation for purposes other than treatment, diagnosis or health research. ## What it is Gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 allow DNA to be cut and modified at a precise point. Somatic editing changes a patient's cells and is not inherited; approved therapies already exist, for example for sickle cell disease. Germline editing changes eggs, sperm or embryos, and if used for a pregnancy the changes pass to descendants (heritable editing). In 2018 the birth of twin girls from edited embryos was announced in China, prompting broad international condemnation. WHO considers it would be irresponsible, for now, to move to clinical uses of germline editing, and in 2021 it published a governance framework. In Colombia the Criminal Code punishes genetic manipulation for purposes other than treatment, diagnosis or health research. ## Structure - Therapy versus enhancement: correcting a disease-causing variant is seen differently from adding desired traits; where the line falls is debated. - Safety: off-target cuts and mosaicism may cause harm discovered only years later. - Consent of future generations: those who would inherit the change cannot have a say. - Justice: unequal access could widen health gaps between countries and social groups. - Argument for research: heritable editing could prevent serious disease in families with no other option, though preimplantation testing already covers many of those cases. - The ISSCR guidelines (2021) moved heritable editing from «prohibited» to «not currently permitted», a change that drew criticism. ## In clinical practice - Somatic editing trials follow the rules of any clinical trial: ethics committee, consent and long follow-up. - Explain to patients the difference between an approved therapy and an experimental treatment offered outside trials. - When families with inherited diseases ask, present the options available today, such as genetic counselling and preimplantation testing. ## Legal framework in Colombia - Law 599 of 2000 (Criminal Code), art. 132: punishes anyone who manipulates human genes altering the genotype for purposes other than treatment, diagnosis or scientific research aimed at relieving suffering or improving health. - Criminal Code, art. 133: punishes creating identical human beings by cloning. - No specific Colombian law on gene editing was found on official sites. Colombia is not a party to the Oviedo Convention. - Texts checked on 2026-11-13 in Jurinfo, the official legal compilation of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is the difference between somatic and heritable gene editing? Somatic editing changes the patient's cells and is not passed on; heritable editing modifies gametes or embryos and the change passes to descendants. ## What did WHO say in 2019 about human germline editing? That it would be irresponsible at this time for anyone to proceed with clinical applications of human germline genome editing. ## What limit does art. 13 of the Oviedo Convention set? That an intervention on the genome may only be preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic and must never aim to modify the genome of descendants. ## What conduct does art. 132 of the Colombian Criminal Code punish? Manipulating human genes altering the genotype for purposes other than treatment, diagnosis or health-oriented research. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/medical-ethics/human-genome-editing/) ## Connections ## Related 4 - [Genetic information: testing, confidentiality and relatives](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/genetic-information-testing-confidentiality-and-relatives/) - [Embryo research, stem cells and cloning](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/embryo-research-stem-cells-and-cloning/) - [Prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis: the ethical questions](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/prenatal-and-preimplantation-diagnosis-the-ethical-questions/) - [Research ethics committees](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/research-ethics-committees/) [← All of medical ethics](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/) Educational content on ethics and health law; not legal advice. Laws and case law change: each page links the official text and says when it was last checked. For a real case, read the text in force and ask a lawyer or the medical ethics tribunal. Sources: [Human genome editing: recommendations](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240030381) (World Health Organization, 2021); [Statement on governance and oversight of human genome editing](https://www.who.int/news/item/26-07-2019-statement-on-governance-and-oversight-of-human-genome-editing) (World Health Organization, 2019); [Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (ETS No. 164)](https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=164) (Council of Europe, 1997); [Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights](https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/universal-declaration-human-genome-and-human-rights) (UNESCO, 1997); [Ley 599 de 2000, Código Penal](https://jurinfo.jep.gov.co/Normograma/Compilacion/docs/ley_0599_2000.htm) (Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz, Jurinfo, 2000). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/human-genome-editing/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/human-genome-editing/