As of January 2026, researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed a novel CRISPR-based technology that turns genes on or off without cutting DNA, offering a safer alternative to conventional gene editing. Does blurring the lines of human genetic engineering still qualify as sacrilegious by religious standards?

According to The Doctrine Note (2023) from the Committee on Doctrine United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Modern technology offers an ever-increasing range of means—chemical, surgical, genetic—for intervening in the functioning of the human body, as well as for modifying its appearance. These technological developments have provided the ability to cure many human maladies and promise to cure many more. This has been a great boon to humanity.”

Pope Francis added that “The transfer and mutation of genes was worthwhile if it was aimed at curing hereditary diseases or increasing food supplies.” The Roman Catholic Church is not against the idea of Human Genetic Engineering, in fact they are all for it in the sense it is kept sacred for healing and providing and not for vanity purposes. For the improvement of medicine, genetic engineering is a great idea. Whilst making genetic engineering a tool for indulgent fantasies, not so much.

Many believe in this ideal to be true including Steve Ottmer, Anatomy teacher: “It really depends on what it is used for; for medical conditions I think we should be doing more of that. But when it comes to enhancing to get better attributes like designer babies, then not so much.”

According to Jessica Pierce, AP Biology teacher, “It’s still very much a taboo subject. People are more open to trying new things, but when it comes to Human Genetic Engineering,  people are still relatively questioning the morality of it.”

In conclusion, researchers at UNSW Sydney have made the topic of human gene editing more morally and religiously sound and encouraged under Catholicism, in the circumstance that it is not abused and is honored.