[Neologism Dictionary] Gatbyeokhada - Crossing the Divine Boundary

The 'CRISPR-Cas9' gene-editing technology, announced in 2012, has raised concerns that it could create 'designer babies' with perfect traits by editing genes according to specific purposes. Illustration by Jin-Kyung Lee, Designer

[Asia Economy Reporter Heeyoon Kim] Professor Jennifer Doudna of UC Berkeley made a huge impact in August 2012 by publishing the 'CRISPR-Cas9' technology in the journal Science. This technology, composed of Cas (CRISPR-associated) 9 that cuts DNA bound to RNA targeting specific DNA sequences, is called gene scissors because it can find and remove or alter very small gene sequences within the vast genome. In 2018, Professor He Jiankui of Southern University of Science and Technology in China sparked controversy by using this gene scissors technology to edit genes to confer AIDS immunity and gave birth to twin babies. This was because the technology, initially intended to be limited to serious incurable diseases with no treatment, was applied at the embryo implantation stage. Gene scissors developed for the purpose of treating congenital diseases and incurable illnesses are showing signs of being repurposed as tools to create perfect humans. The sweet temptation of being able to ‘edit’ appearance, intelligence, and physical conditions according to purpose will soon enable the commercialization of genetically customized babies.

The term "Gatbyeok" is a coined word emphasizing perfection by removing the last syllable from the Korean word for perfect (wanbyeok) and inserting the English word God, commonly used to describe someone with outstanding appearance. Human desire to challenge the realm of God through gene scissors technology soon faced practical dilemmas. The past French debate over whether abortion should be allowed when a fetus has one missing hand or a completely missing arm has now led to the U.S. calculation to reduce social costs by preventing the birth of babies with chromosomal damage through free amniocentesis testing for all women. Regarding the emergence of genetically customized babies called ‘design babies,’ Harvard Professor Michael Sandel pointed out in his book "The Case Against Perfection" that “whether the goal is to improve the quality of human reproduction or to satisfy consumer preferences, some cases of making children the result of planned design all correspond to ‘eugenic attempts.’ The Promethean desire to remodel nature, including human nature, to fulfill our purposes and desires overlooks the view that human abilities and achievements are gifts given to each of us, and may even destroy that perspective.” Human desire toward Gatbyeok is accelerating the advent of genetically modified new humans, ‘superhumans.’

Example

A: Why do your eyes look so sunken after the weekend?

B: I stayed up all night reviewing my favorite live videos and concert footage.

A: That’s admirable effort. What’s so good about them?

B: What can I say? Gatbyeok appearance, decent singing skills, delicate manners... If I say more, I’ll have to stay up all night again.

A: Oh dear. Your health is deteriorating day by day because of your Gatbyeok favorite. Please take it easy on your fandom~