Rethinking the 'Heritage of Humanity' in the Anthropocene: Gene Editing, Biosphere Modification, and the Need for a Novel Entities International Legal Framework

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the implications of technology of gene editing on the scope and meaning of the legal concept of the heritage of humanity in the context of the wider phenomenon of the Anthropocene. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are two-fold; first, does the concept of heritage of humanity allow gene editing to modify this heritage? Secondly, given that humans can modify not just the human genome, but genomes of other life using the new gene editing technologies, how should non-human genetic manipulation on larger and faster scales be governed? This paper uses the doctrinal research method to investigate international bio-law using interdisciplinary concepts from earth systems science. The analysis draws attention to the weak framework of existing international law, and the acceleration of the Anthropocene biosphere, which in turn pushes the earth out of the safe operating zone. This paper calls for regulating gene editing through an international policy and legal framework for novel entities, rethinking the concept of the ‘heritage of humanity’ as going beyond the human genome.