Genetic Engineering Is Unethical
Genes are the building blocks of life. They uniquely define each and every one of us, from our hair color to our ability to fight disease.
For the past few decades, the study of genetics has given scientists an ability that we as a species never had before-- the ability to directly modify our genetic makeup. With this scientific breakthrough, the possibilities are endless with real world implications. On a darker note, this also means that genetic modification has the ability to adversely affect humans in ways we cannot imagine. This gives rise to an important question, how ethical is the genetic modification of humans?
Before we can answer that, we must look into the true definition of bioethics. Ethics are often defined as the moral rules …show more content…
In reality, there are certain cases where gene editing can be used in a moral and humane way, and there are cases where the use of genetic modification is unjustifiable and not bioethical. Take the example of using gene editing to create “designer babies”, picking and choosing certain genes to give babies specific traits and physical features.
”Many people are afraid designer genes could lead to the practice of eugenics—creating only perfect children to improve the human race.”(“Bioethics”). Our society today is not prepared for this type of genetic modification. We have developed a culture where fear of the unknown plays a significant part. Many people are unwelcome and fear new, radical ideas, especially ones that have the potential to change society. This fear is justified -- modifying the human genome to obtain a certain trait certainly has its risks. Obtaining a trait by modification of a gene may open up risks for new genetic diseases that we have not yet encountered, and the potential for loss of other traits and physical/mental deformity. It’s not that humanity is completely against genetic modification, but currently it is the moral standpoint of today’s generation that gene modification should be used for explicitly medicinal purposes -- and nothing else. This means that “recreational” genetic modification of humans is not considered …show more content…
In 2003, researchers from the Human Genome Project successfully sequenced the entire human genome(“Stem Cell and Gene Therapy”). Research like this advances genetic engineering by providing insight into how we can reduce genetic side effects such as mutations, by creating a better understanding of what each and every gene controls. This will allow scientists to modify genes with less risk. In the future, genetic modification will be able to cure genetic diseases and provide alternatives for current medical practices. The development of the CRISPER/Cas9 gene editing system has also allowed scientist to target specific genes with great accuracy, further reducing the risks associated with gene
For the past few decades, the study of genetics has given scientists an ability that we as a species never had before-- the ability to directly modify our genetic makeup. With this scientific breakthrough, the possibilities are endless with real world implications. On a darker note, this also means that genetic modification has the ability to adversely affect humans in ways we cannot imagine. This gives rise to an important question, how ethical is the genetic modification of humans?
Before we can answer that, we must look into the true definition of bioethics. Ethics are often defined as the moral rules …show more content…
In reality, there are certain cases where gene editing can be used in a moral and humane way, and there are cases where the use of genetic modification is unjustifiable and not bioethical. Take the example of using gene editing to create “designer babies”, picking and choosing certain genes to give babies specific traits and physical features.
”Many people are afraid designer genes could lead to the practice of eugenics—creating only perfect children to improve the human race.”(“Bioethics”). Our society today is not prepared for this type of genetic modification. We have developed a culture where fear of the unknown plays a significant part. Many people are unwelcome and fear new, radical ideas, especially ones that have the potential to change society. This fear is justified -- modifying the human genome to obtain a certain trait certainly has its risks. Obtaining a trait by modification of a gene may open up risks for new genetic diseases that we have not yet encountered, and the potential for loss of other traits and physical/mental deformity. It’s not that humanity is completely against genetic modification, but currently it is the moral standpoint of today’s generation that gene modification should be used for explicitly medicinal purposes -- and nothing else. This means that “recreational” genetic modification of humans is not considered …show more content…
In 2003, researchers from the Human Genome Project successfully sequenced the entire human genome(“Stem Cell and Gene Therapy”). Research like this advances genetic engineering by providing insight into how we can reduce genetic side effects such as mutations, by creating a better understanding of what each and every gene controls. This will allow scientists to modify genes with less risk. In the future, genetic modification will be able to cure genetic diseases and provide alternatives for current medical practices. The development of the CRISPER/Cas9 gene editing system has also allowed scientist to target specific genes with great accuracy, further reducing the risks associated with gene