In the current agon between those promoting and opposing the development of human reproductive applications of genome editing techniques, the bone of contention is often whether the prospective reproductive technologies answer an "unmet medical need." Proponents often point to highly unusual cases of inherited genetic conditions as exhibiting that need. This essay argues that we ought to admit that the opponents are correct: human reproductive genome editing cannot be justified on medical grounds. Taking a deliberately provocative line, the essay suggests how inscribing such practices within a conventional model of biomedical research fails to take proper account of the interrelated interests in play, including those of the wider society and its future members. It also obscures important questions about how the public significance and value of human genome editing are produced through the dynamic encounter between science, technology, and social morality. This has certain discomfiting implications that will require both courage and humility to confront and-finally, perhaps-to embrace.

中文翻译：

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基因组编辑和人类繁殖：治疗谬误和“最不寻常的案例”

在促进和反对基因组编辑技术人类生殖应用发展的当前争论中，争论的焦点往往是前瞻性生殖技术是否能满足“未满足的医疗需求”。支持者经常指出非常不寻常的遗传性遗传病案例表明了这种需求。这篇文章认为我们应该承认反对者是正确的：人类生殖基因组编辑不能以医学为理由。这篇文章故意挑衅性地指出，将此类实践写入传统的生物医学研究模型中，如何未能适当考虑到相互关联的利益，包括更广泛的社会及其未来成员的利益。它还掩盖了人类基因组编辑的公共意义和价值如何通过科学、技术和社会道德之间的动态相遇产生的重要问题。这会产生某些令人不安的影响，需要勇气和谦逊来面对并最终可能拥抱。