Governing Gene Editing in the Age of Hyper-Evolution: An Analytical Framework for Assessing Biological Inequality and Policy Design in Iran

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

10.22059/jppolicy.2026.107811

Abstract

Human gene editing, especially at the germline level, is moving beyond the treatment of hereditary diseases toward the enhancement of future generations. Without forward-looking governance, this shift may deepen biological inequality and trigger genetic competition among groups or states. This article asks which mechanisms determine whether gene editing leads to structural inequality or remains subject to effective governance. It introduces the GGC–CGA–M framework, integrating three elements: initial inequality of access (GGC), intergenerational accumulation of genetic advantage (CGA), and governance capacity (M). The analysis shows that when initial inequality is high and governance capacity is weak, biological inequality intensifies endogenously. By proposing five policy principles and applying the framework exploratorily to Iran, the article argues that the future of human gene editing depends less on technological progress than on the quality of governance.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Public Policy
Volume 12, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 189-205

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