All it takes is for one group to start. Then the rest would either have to follow or be overtaken.
Asia has none of these problems, and will thus force us to get over our scruples.
Have you considered the possibility that it's a good thing that China's isn't letting subjective feeling about morality stand in the way of progress?
It's easy to get stuck in a rut where we fear new technology, pre-emptively declare it unethical, and never experience the benefits. IMHO, the west has gone way too far over the past few decades in the direction of risk aversion and the "precautionary principle", and China's boldness is a much-needed corrective.
I am not arguing here that Capitalism does not work, it works very well... I am not arguing banning technology either. All that I am arguing is that there are other paradigms outside of those where technology is progress and progress is good. This paradigm is a very convincing paradigm because of how well it works in Capitalist society and how it generates wealth and helps accumulate power.
Even if you're going to argue that the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term detriments: surprise, you're still applying morality.
We don't come close to having an understanding of genetics, and without that understanding, we risk unleashing horrible new genetic defects and illnesses for literally generations.
I think it's hilarious that all the anti-CRISPR/anti-gene-editing people bring up dystopias when it's pretty obvious they want to live in a very Harrison Bergeron world.
What about the future ramification of stagnation? Or ignoring progress? Most of the world seems to be ignoring climate change, and somehow hoping for it to go away.
Some claim to care, but those are just hollow words for the most part, as the world is hooked on cheap (dirty) energy.