Gene Editing Disadvantages

Dan W. Brock makes a few interesting points in defending genetic engineering, while being observant of the possible downfalls and negative views of the science. Brock starts of his commentary by addressing how the limits to our genes can not "confidently predict the rate at which that understanding [of genetic engineering] will be achieved in the future nor the ultimate limits on it" (pg. 615). Also, the author states how genetic engineering could help parents ensure their children the abilities to live healthy lives, create new treatments for disease, and produce stronger immune systems.

Who would have ever thought we could live in a world that can make genetically modified humans; some think the idea of genetically modified food is absurd. According to the encyclopedia, “Eugenics is the conviction and practice of enhancing the hereditary nature of the human population”. In our modern world, eugenics has become a center of conversation because of its numerous progressive usages, but also its probable consequences. Some believe it is the future of our world, some believe it will do more harm than good. With this proclamation, there is no uncertainty that it will be tremendously helpful in the use of preventing diseases such as cancer and countless more, before we are even outside the womb. However this idea can also be mistreated

A quote from the article stated, “It is only a matter of time before it will be used to engineer our descendants -- eliminating many dangerous hereditary diseases in the process.” This quote is stating that it will only be a matter of time until this technology will be available to people. I was surprised that people were so confident in this technology, because at first I thought I was scared of what it could bring to our world. I was also shocked when the article stated, “Safety is clearly an important factor, but it is unlikely to be a decisive one.” In my opinion, safety should be the most important factor. If this technology is going to put people in danger, why would we use it? I was confused by the word eugenics, until the author provided the definition. The author used the word several times and I did not know what it meant. First reading the article I thought it would be a terrible idea to edit human’s genes, but reading on, to the end, I began to believe that the technology of gene editing is to only make sure children are as healthy as they should

In the world of science we face a myriad of controversial studies that confront bad press from the public for various reasons, even if the origins reside in the aspiration of the betterment of mankind. One of these studies is the process of gene editing in an attempt to provide people with better health or longer living by moving around and replacing key strands of DNA in their system. Many people opposed to this style of treatment see it as unnatural to mess with nature, some it is perceived as unholy in the eyes of their religious beliefs, and other just care for the safety of the patients that are willing to undergo this sort of treatment. However, me and many others believe that the pros of gene editing out weight the cons. Gene editing may very well may be the secret to unlock the secret to longer and healthier living and maybe push us to something even better than that.

In recent years genetic modification has been advancing. Genetic modification is when a living organism has been altered to a specific state of characteristics. So far scientist has made one attempt to modify genes from an embryo recently. Whether they were successful or not is question unanswered yet. Gene modification can be great and all. However, is it right to modify genes? Apparently, the population agrees to modify genes since there has been licenses of approval for gene modification. If Society cared about gene modification, then there would be signs of disapproval of gene modification. However, this is viewed morally wrong in my point of view. The pros of modifying genes are that defeating diseases, potential to live longer, genetic diseases, and able to select character traits of babies. The cons of modifying genes are failures on the way to perfecting genetic modification, genetic modification babies can have more greater problems, very expensive, and when does it stop?

Genetic modification is vital in the advancing human medicine and can combat consequences that could arise as a result of the manipulation through researched treatments. If put into practice genetic modification would follow strict ethical guidelines to account for people who would disagree with the process. However, most importantly the use of genetic engineering could lead to other discoveries that could transform life on Earth and lead humanity into a more enlightened time. This is why it is critical to keep supporting the genetic engineering field and to leave the stigma behind in order to give the world a better

The altering of human genes could save lives. You could cure cystic fibrosis or alzheimer's. This would save the lives of many (Doc. 3). This technology could also give you children with specific traits of your choice. Also, this engineering can leave people painfree. This is not good because they can’t detect danger. As a plus side, scientists will eventually take the gene that causes this and help cure those with chronic long lasting pains (Doc. 2). This would make more people happy and healthy across the nation! Eventually we could go so far as to make a genetically engineered nation. As you can see, Genetic Engineering also could have a positive effect on

While the two stand on opposite sides of the fence, it can be agreed upon by both authors that genetic modification could change the world with it’s ability to eliminate disease. “New human genetic technologies have real potential to help prevent or cure many terrible diseases” (Hayes, 500) states Hayes, as he supports genetic modification through this service. Green, the advocate for the process, is quick to provide examples of how the practice could improve the lives of future children. “If we understood the genetic causes of obesity, for example, we can intervene by means of embryo selection to produce a child with reduced likelihood of getting fat” (Green, 496).

Many see the issue as being whether or not the parent should be able to choose their child’s genes; they also fear that the family unit would be harmed. “A common fear is that as the exact genetics of more complex physical and intellectual characteristics are discovered, the wealthy will be able to afford to choose desirable features for their children while other will not, leading to an escalating division of social classes by genetics” (Hagler 3). They also believe that genetically engineering children will make the child self-centered, and they fear that the family will also feel superior when compared to families of the same class. “Gene editing is thought to offer a way for parents to maximize their control over the properties of their offspring, transforming a relationship that should be characterized by unconditional love and acceptance into one in which children are seen as products of their parents’ desires and wishes, to be provisionally accepted and molded in accord with parental preferences” (Foht 4). Another reason that this could be harmful to the child is that the kids with disabilities or racial groups, like it was in the 1900s with the different labels (Foht

Throughout the world, many intelligent minds exist. One, in particular, had something to say about Human genetic engineering. “Nuclear weapons need large facilities, but genetic engineering can be done in a small lab. You cannot regulate every lab in the world. The danger is that either by accident or design, we create a virus that destroys us” (Stephen Hawking). Hawking is considered to be one of the most intelligent people in the modern world. For this reason, his statement is not to be taken with a grain of salt. The concept of Human genetic engineering is surrounded with danger and controversy. There are several different positions on human genetic modification. Conservatives, or Traditionalists believe such innovation or change would be detrimental towards the human race. Conservatives say that families are the foundation of society so changing how families come to be would ultimately tear society apart (Foht). Others say that innovation of such magnitude would act as a boon to the human race. Concerning the danger of genetic engineering, it could definitely become an immense detriment. However, with the correct limitation and government oversight, the human race will benefit from it. Genetically engineering a Human embryo is a step that science will eventually take. Whether it be decades or centuries from now, genetically modified humans will walk the Earth.

On the other hand, the other form of genetic engineering, gene enhancement is the idea of improving average typical genes to be above average. Therapeutic treatment is acceptable, if parents can prevent their child from having a serious or fatal disease, they should be able to pay for genetic treatment if they can afford to do so. However, I completely disagree with the process of genetic enhancement; a parent should not be able to alter their child’s genes from typical or average to above average. If humans even consider gene enhancement for their children, they should revise what is morally and ethically right and wrong. The thought of parents one day being able to enhance or perfect the genes of their expected child is by all means wrong. Children should not be born into a world where their ultimate choices have been made by their parents before the moment of their birth. Children’s genes should be left untouched unless there is something terribly wrong, such as a sickness or disease.

If parents were allowed to modify the genes of their children, there could be a cause of genetic overclass. There would be a definite line created in between the people whose parents changed their genes to create their own definition of perfection and then there would be the people whose family either did not want to or could not afford to genetically engineer their child's phenotypic traits. Not only that, it would also lead to homogenisation in society leading to a great drop in genetic diversity and also creating a disadvantage to anyone with a disability or deficiency of any kind. If anything, the inequality of people around the world would be greater than it already is today discriminating against the people that are not classified as “perfect”. Not only will eugenics create a heightened sense of inequality, it also creates the debate of what the definition of perfection actually

For example, according to Richard Hayes from In The Pipeline: Genetically Modified Humans, “Genetic engineering provides the ability to add or delete specific genes within a living cell nucleus. Gene modifications can have an impact solely on a single person, or on a person's child and all subsequent descendants” (Hayes). What Hayes is trying to say is that using genetic modification can either be beneficial or non-beneficial to people. Changing ones’ genes can not only affect them, but also affect their future kids as well. Being so, their future children may not have anything wrong with them and have their genes react differently to these previous treatments. This is one risk parents must think about when deciding whether to change their child’s genes’ to better their

There are many aspects of genetic manipulation, from crops, to animals, to humans, everything has been genetically manipulated. Parents today, instead of thinking if they are going to have a boy or a girl, they think about how they want only a boy. Future parents, think about what genes of theirs would they like their baby to have, such as eye color, intelligence and hair color. These are some of the specific traits that have been genetically engineered in babies. Genetic Engineering is something the general public needs to be aware about. The growing trend in their field and the vast varieties of genetic engineering research, is making a huge impact on the future of teens and young adults. Even the elderly are to be aware of such research, since it helps cure many medical diseases. However, not a lot of research has been done on what kind of medical diseases are to be cured by genetic engineering, but there are a few that can be cured with specific requirements. Today, you can buy a genetically manipulated tomato, and tomorrow everything in your refrigerator would be genetically manipulated. If you have can have a genetically manipulated baby in the year 2008, then what makes your baby in 2020 won 't be genetically modified?

Many scientists and others believe that if gene therapy can be refined, it could be implemented to ultimately put an end to genetic disorders. The parents would have the children they want, and the children who had the natural disposition towards a genetic disorder could possibly become a normal child, whereas otherwise they would probably end up losing their life due to abortion. Those that support gene therapy view it as a win-win strategy: