Welcome to 2017, where the recent technological advances have allowed people to venture their ideas into reality, that would have seemed impossible ten years ago. CRISPR/Cas 9, the gene editing tool, that has been making headlines, is one such emerging technology. Gene editing of somatic cells has been approved for clinical use for awhile now, in countries all over the world, including Canada. But amidst all the advancements, Canada has a criminal ban on genetic manipulation of embryos protected under Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHRA) 2004. Thus the question arises, ought Canada to keep its ban on genetic manipulation of embryo? In this essay, I will argue with the help of ethical theories, why I believe it is essential for Canada, …show more content…
We are aware of the fact that, the embryo is unable to form an informed consent for itself and hence parental autonomy comes into power. Having parental autonomy does not give them the leeway, to justify their own decision about making genetic changes to the germline cells of their embryo. It is extremely crucial to know that genetic modification of germline cells, not only affects the person in whom it is being done, it is also heritable, and hence, passed onto future generations. Individuals born with genetic modifications might not consent to the editing done on them, when it is disclosed at a later age, but the editing itself will be irreversible and also be heritable. Does that seem fair to the person born with gene editing? Just because they weren’t able to give consent for themselves and had to be under parental autonomy? I would argue that it is unfair for a human being to be subjected to such manipulations, for which we are unsure of its potentially harmful consequences. Some argue that decisions determined by parents, in regards, to the germline editing of their progeny cells are their own right. They are the regulators, for what they decide to do with their own product of fertilization and interference from scientific community and healthcare professionals hinder their freedom to decide what they want for their own children. They might add that previous procedures such as, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) were only
“I got up and pretended to study the pictures on the walls like I was a lover of religious art. When I got to the Merciful Mother right above Sinita’s head, I reached in my pocket and pulled out the bottom I’d found on the train. It was sparkly like a diamond and had a little hole in back so you could thread a ribbon through it and wear it like a romantic lady’s choker necklace. It wasn’t something I’d do, but I could see the button would make a good trade with someone inclined in that direction.
Although the intentions of genetically modifying DNA in human embryos is aimed to rid society of genetic defects, it is still essential that this scientific discovery remains ethical. In an article on NPR.org, Rob Stein describes an experiment that scientists have been conducting in which they modify human DNA in order to eliminate life threatening genetic diseases that could be passed on for generations (Stein). In Portland, at Oregon Health & Science University, Paula Amato, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, explains “that their work is aimed at preventing terrible diseases, not creating genetically enhanced people...much more research is needed to confirm the technique is safe and effective before anyone tries to make a baby this way”(Stein). Because scientists like Amato realize their research is controversial, they are taking every precaution to assure what they are doing is morally correct, they are not intending to corrupt society. Although their intentions are good, it is their job to make sure their research is being used in an ethical way. If not, millions of people, who are already obsessed with the idea of perfection, will be able to do something about
Bonnie Green, Chief Estimator, agreed that in a normal year only slight delays might develop due to a shortage of labor. However, she pointed out that for such a large project, the company would have to use unionized employees and that the construction industry labor agreements with New York City were to expire on October 30, 2004. Past experience and current construction activity in the surrounding area indicated that any union tradesman would support a strike against the city. Since this is a public project, she estimates that there is a 50% chance that they would strike this project to gain the attention of the national media.
Australia should not legalise the genetic modification (or GM) of human embryos. Australia should keep genetic modification of human embryos illegal because if we allow genetic modification to embryos it could lead to some babies DNA having been carefully selected to enhance their appearance, intelligence or something that is not a normal thing to have chosen. These enhancements may also be unevenly distributed among the population, leading to a society of genetic haves and have-nots. One side is to allow genetic modification to embryos and take out diseases that run in family blood lines. The other side is against the genetic modification of embryos mainly because people do not want want people who are all perfect for one thing
Imagine a world where maladaptive genetic diseases have ceased to exist, parents have the ability to alter and improve their unborn child’s attributes such as height, intelligence, and attractiveness, and each generation becomes healthier, smarter, and stronger. Sounds like an unfeasible utopia, does it not? However, due to scientific advancements in the field of embryonic gene modification, this fantasy may soon become a reality. In a nutshell, embryonic gene modification refers to scientists altering the genome of an embryo in vitro for a multitude of reasons, ranging from eliminating harmful genetic diseases to altering superficial characteristics. Although embryonic gene modification may seem like a dream come true to many, it is not without ethical concerns that require intense debate.
Human genetic engineering and eugenics have been a largely controversial topic over the past decades. Eugenics can be popularly defined as the science of improving and enhancing a human population or person through manipulating the human genes, selective breeding, and sterilization. The end goal and desired result of eugenics is to basically create a human race or people with more desirable biological, physical, or psychological traits. Eugenics and genetic modification is a current, pressing subject; in April 2015, a group of Chinese researchers, used a new gene-editing technology, called CRISPR to “[tinker] with the genomes of human embryos” (Adams). Presently, according to CQ Researcher, “New genetic technologies allow scientists to delete a mutant gene and insert a healthy one, which…has the potential to eliminate inherited diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.” However, these techniques have only been used on embryos belonging to laboratory animals. The big question here is whether or not science and technology are crossing an ethical boundary by using these techniques and performing genetic modification on human embryos. Do humans have the right to “play God” and alter nature?
Sally Dingo the author of Ernie Dingo the King of the Kids, positions us as we read through the book for us to feel almost we had known him all through his life, and that we are like mates toward him. we may feel sympathy for one of their beloved family member dies or admiration for Ernie’s sporting talents in basketball, he was usually called ‘show pony’.
These legal issues stem from the sensitive nature of the topic. As it stands, any situations surrounding genetic modification of embryos are dealt with on a case by case basis as those involved are often going through the emotional
New technological advances and scientific methods continue to change the course of nature. One of the current controversial advances in science and technology is the use of genetically modified embryos in which the study exceeds stem cell research. Scientists have begun planning for research involving human embryos in the genetic modification field. Many technological developments are responsible for improving our living standards and even saving lives, but often such accomplishments have troubling cultural and moral ramifications (Reagan, 2015). We are already beyond the days in which virtually the only procreative option was for a man and a woman to conceive the old-fashioned way (Reagan, 2015). Genetic modification of human embryos can be perceived as a positive evolution in the medical process yet it is surrounded by controversy due to ethical processes. Because this form of genetic modification could affect later born children and their offspring, the protection of human subjects should be a priority in decisions about whether to proceed with such research (Dresser, 2004). The term Human Genetic Engineering was originally made public in 1970. During this time there were several methods biologists began to devise in order to better identify or isolate clone genes for manipulation in several species or mutating them in humans.
As humans move into the modern age, new thoughts and ideas are being produced into action. One particular controversial idea is the editing of genes and stem cell research on human embryos. Many scientists have decided that it is completely unethical to even approach the subject of it, but there are a few scientists who have decided that they want to work on this. The government has decided that it is unethical and therefore has cut all funding to labs, but there are some wealthy people who have decided to pay scientists, out of pocket, for them to start experiment’s on this idea. The time is coming for the decision to be made on whether we should look into gene editing and stem cell research in humans as a medical miracle or a potential disaster.
Although still a very debated subject, genetic enhancement has been around for many years with the genetic modification of crops. Just this year, researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou were the first to modify the genomes of human embryos in order to find a way to eliminate genetic diseases. The researchers used the gene editing technique CRISPR/Cas9, which, in layman’s terms, cuts out the bad genes and replaces the gaps with healthy genes. While this is a major scientific advancement, there are many ethical reasons why people might be weary of this new development.
Embryo gene modification is a very controversial topic. Some people believe that it could potentially provide a valuable way to decrease the chances of genetic diseases at birth, whereas others think that it could lead to unethical uses such as ‘designer babies’. In this essay, I will expand on the arguments put forward by different people concerning their views on genetic manipulation, and I will also attempt to put into brief the broad topic of gene editing and artificial fertilisation.