Ethics of the inheritable genetic modification of human embryos via CRISPR technology: Pauli Murray and the institutionalized control of Black women’s reproductive lives

The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray created a multi-disciplinary approach to analyze and dismantle systemic structures of racism and sexism within the U.S. This dissertation seeks to not only understand Murray’s unique approach, but also applies it directly to a complex history of medicalized racism and sexism within the U.S. Historically, Black women have been disproportionately harmed by these institutional and social dynamics.

As we enter a new era of genetic engineering, it is crucial for the public and medical professionals to have a thorough understanding of this history in order to prevent continued historical harms to Black women. There is good reason to be concerned that CRISPR-related techniques, in particular, will be used to pursue the embryonic inheritable genetic modification (EIGM) of human embryos in ways that wittingly or unwittingly perpetuate racial injustice and the well-documented U.S. failure to honor Black women’s reproductive autonomy and well-being. This dissertation maps this history and proposes Murray’s unique perspective as vital to our ethical response.