Using gene editing technology to design microorganisms to have a lasting impact on human decision-making and emotions is a highly cutting-edge topic involving complex scientific and ethical issues. The following is an overview of some key points and current scientific progress on this issue: ### Current Scientific Progress 1. **Gut-Brain Axis**: - **Research Background**: In recent years, scientists have discovered that there is a close connection between intestinal microbiota and human brain function and emotional state. This relationship is called the "gut-brain axis". - **Mechanism of influence**: Intestinal microorganisms can produce neurotransmitters (such as serotonin, GABA, etc.), which affect the function of the central nervous system, thereby affecting emotions and behaviors. 2. **Psychobiotics**: - **Definition**: Refers to probiotics that improve mental health by regulating intestinal microbiota. - **Research Progress**: Studies have shown that some probiotic supplements can relieve anxiety and depression symptoms to a certain extent, but this effect is usually limited and requires continuous intake. 3. **Gene Editing Technology**: - Advanced gene editing tools such as **CRISPR-Cas9** allow scientists to precisely modify the genome of microorganisms to give them specific functions or enhance their existing capabilities. - **Potential Application**: In theory, microorganisms can be designed to produce specific neuromodulators to affect the host's emotions and behaviors. ### Challenges of Sustained Influence 1. **Complexity**: - Human emotions and decisions are the result of the combined effects of multiple factors, including genetics, environment, and social factors. Microorganisms are only one of the influencing factors and it is difficult to determine the overall behavior and emotional state alone. 2. **Individual Differences**: - There are huge differences in the composition of the microbiome of different individuals, which means that the same designed microorganism may have different effects on different people. 3. **Long-term Stability**: - To achieve lasting effects, the designed microorganisms need to exist and work stably in the host for a long time, which is quite challenging in actual operation. ### Ethical and Safety Considerations 1. **Autonomy and Consent**: - Using microorganisms to influence individuals' emotions and decisions may involve issues of violation of personal autonomy, especially when explicit consent is not obtained. 2. **Potential abuse**: - If this technology is abused, it may be used to manipulate people's emotions and behaviors, such as political propaganda, social control, etc., bringing serious ethical and social problems. 3. **Unpredictable consequences**: - Genetically modified microorganisms may produce unforeseen side effects in complex biological systems, affecting human health or the ecological environment. ### Conclusion Although gene editing technology has made significant progress in microbial design, its use for long-term control of human decision-making and emotions is still in the science fiction and early research stage. Achieving this goal not only faces huge challenges in science and technology, but also triggers profound discussions and concerns at the ethical and social levels. At present, the scientific community is more inclined to explore how to use microorganisms to promote mental health rather than manipulate emotions and decision-making. While promoting relevant research, it is necessary to strictly abide by ethical standards to ensure that the development of technology is beneficial to human welfare rather than bringing potential risks and abuse.