Genetic immunisation

This chapter explores the ethics of genetic immunisation. If we use gene editing to confer immunity, maybe we could eliminate infectious diseases that threaten our populations today. If gene editing technology was refined, properly ethically assessed, and made accessible to the public as a way of ensuring one’s children’s immunity, it might become as important as, or even preferable to, vaccination. The chapter then compares genetic immunisation and vaccination. If parents would and should vaccinate their children, and if they should be held accountable for not doing so, does the same hold for genetic immunisation? Overall, genetic immunisation is not “the new” vaccination. However, with some caveats, it is a promising and morally-justifiable new alternative to traditional vaccination. Vaccination must continue to be supported, but for parents who are already undertaking IVF, genetic immunisation may become the new vaccination. If so, it should be accompanied by the same aspects of parental responsibility and accountability — to the benefit both of individual future children and of society at large.