Bioethics Advisory Committee publishes report on ethical, legal, and social issues arising from human nuclear genome editing

27 November 2025

On 23 October 2025, the Bioethics Advisory Committee (“BAC”) issued a report examining the ethical, legal, and social implications of human nuclear genome editing (“HNGE”).

The report provides guidance to academics, healthcare professionals, researchers, Institutional Review Boards, and Clinical Ethics Committees on the responsible use of HNGE technologies in both biomedical research and clinical settings. It draws on feedback gathered through a public consultation conducted from 3 June 2024 to 13 August 2024, during which stakeholders and members of the public were invited to share their views. Please see our article “Bioethics Advisory Committee consults on ethical, legal, and social issues arising from human nuclear genome editing”.

Overview of key points of the report

A significant portion of the report sets out the ethical principles that should guide HNGE. These include respect for persons, solidarity, justice, and proportionality, as well as sustainability, inclusivity, transparency, and responsible stewardship of science. Together, these principles emphasise informed consent, protection of vulnerable groups, equitable access, minimisation of risks, public engagement, openness in scientific practice, and alignment of research with societal values.

The report draws a clear distinction between non-heritable and heritable genome editing. While non-heritable editing may be undertaken in controlled research settings and, in limited circumstances, considered for clinical intervention, heritable editing presents substantially greater ethical, safety, and intergenerational concerns. The BAC therefore maintains that heritable gene editing should not proceed for clinical purposes until its safety and efficacy can be validated and its long-term impacts are far better understood.

The report describes the scientific basis of HNGE, including gene-editing techniques, the relationship between gene editing and gene or cell therapy, and the current and potential applications of these technologies. Potential uses range from understanding disease mechanisms and embryo development to diagnostics, drug discovery, and reducing disease susceptibility. These scientific
possibilities must be balanced against risks such as mosaicism, off-target or undesirable on-target effects, and unknown long-term or intergenerational consequences.

Ethical considerations also arise from the procurement and use of oocytes and embryos for research, including donor health risks, privacy, and consent. The report further highlights concerns around equitable access, noting that high costs and under-representation of Asian populations in genomic datasets may lead to disparities in clinical applications. It also warns that future genetic enhancement, if ever permitted, raises complex social and ethical questions, including unintended consequences, equity concerns and possible shifts in reproductive choices.

The report underscores that public trust and ongoing societal dialogue are essential to the future governance of HNGE. As genome-editing technologies evolve, researchers and institutions must engage meaningfully with patients, affected communities, and the wider public. Incorporating diverse cultural, religious, and social perspectives is framed as a necessary foundation for responsible research, policy development, and any future clinical use of these technologies.

Finally, the report sets out governance mechanisms and recommendations across institutional, clinical, and national levels. These include strengthened oversight, clear protocols, informed consent standards, long-term monitoring, donor protections, limits on embryo research, and ongoing review of laws and guidelines. Tools such as education and training, professional self-regulation, national registries, and whistleblowing mechanisms are identified as essential for maintaining ethical standards and public confidence in HNGE research.

Reference materials

The report is available on the relevant webpage on the BAC website www.bioethics-singapore.gov.sg