Gene-editing gone wild: Are we playing God with nature?

As gene-editing technology races forward at breakneck speed, ideas that once belonged in sci-fi novels are edging closer to reality. But should we be worried?

Professor Krishanu Saha from the University of Wisconsin–Madison is sounding the alarm. In an interview with MailOnline, he warns that without strict boundaries, genetic engineering could spiral into territory where scientists aren’t just tweaking DNA — they’re redefining what it means to be human.

This month, experts from across the globe will gather at the Global Observatory for Genome Editing International Summit to discuss the ethical dilemmas posed by these astonishing advances.

The Rise of Chimaeras – Fact, Not Fiction

Chimaeras — creatures made from a mix of different species — may sound like mythical beasts, but they’re already being created in labs. By combining genes or even entire organs from different animals, researchers can create hybrids that defy natural classification.

Take the ‘geep’, a goat-sheep chimera first made in 1989. It was the first successful experiment of its kind, and since then, things have only got more complex. Scientists have now managed to grow a mouse pancreas inside a rat and successfully transplant human brain cells into mice, creating so-called ‘humanised’ brains.

Professor Saha explains: “A chimaera has parts of its body originating from two different organisms. In some cases, this could mean part-human, part-animal.”

But why would scientists do this? One reason is medical research. These hybrids could act as living test subjects for diseases like Parkinson’s or muscular dystrophy, removing the need for human trials. Yet, as Saha points out, this area is a murky ethical grey zone.

“When you think about potentially breeding hundreds or thousands of these animals, it becomes deeply unsettling,” he says.

When Science Meets Sci-Fi – Enhanced Beings on the Horizon?

Beyond hybrid animals, geneticists are exploring ways to enhance physical and cognitive traits. With tools like CRISPR-Cas9, genes can be edited with precision, opening the door to faster-growing livestock, disease-resistant crops — and even modified humans.

Already, genetically altered pigs have been engineered to grow nearly 14% quicker, while salmon have been tweaked for faster development in aquaculture farms. But some scientists are eyeing far more radical applications.

“Imagine enhancing human senses beyond what we naturally experience — seeing ultraviolet light, hearing frequencies we can’t normally detect, or even sensing electric fields,” says Professor Saha.

And then there’s intelligence. Some researchers speculate about editing genes linked to cognition, raising concerns about designer babies and a future where enhanced humans become the new elite.

Saha believes extending healthy lifespans is one thing — but aiming for immortality? That crosses a line.

Artificial Life – From Lab-Grown Embryos to Synthetic Species

Perhaps the most futuristic — and controversial — frontier is synthetic biology. Scientists have begun crafting artificial embryos from clusters of reprogrammed cells. These lab-grown entities mimic natural development and have even shown signs of biological humanity, such as beating hearts.

Some researchers believe it’s only a matter of time before these embryos develop into fully formed beings — not just synthetic animals, but possibly synthetic humans.

“The ultimate test for a synthetic embryo,” Saha explains, “would be implanting it into a womb and watching it grow. But right now, most people agree that would be deeply unethical.”

So Where Do We Draw the Line?

With genome editing advancing faster than regulation can keep up, Professor Saha insists now is the time to set limits.

“We’re standing at a crossroads,” he says. “We have the tools to reshape life itself — but should we?”

As scientists push the boundaries of what’s possible, society must grapple with the moral consequences. Because if we don’t start asking the hard questions now, we may soon find ourselves living in a world straight out of a science fiction nightmare.