Another good article by Mr. Picard. He says, "Modifying human DNA in ways that could be passed on to future generations has long been deemed ethically out of bounds." He's referring to scientific methods of DNA editing of course. But it's worthwhile to point out that modifying DNA and passing it on to future generations is what higher-order life-forms do. Not for us the single cell reproduction of bacteria and yeasts. We like to mix it up, and reap the myriad benefits of that kind of reproduction.

Every time a man and woman unite to create offspring, it's a genetic experiment involving the modification of human DNA. Unexpected things can happen, sometimes with negative consequences. However we don't even restrict procreation much less prohibit it. We prefer to learn as much as possible about any drawbacks procreation may have, and warn people accordingly. It seems reasonable to use the same general approach for DNA editing.