Gene Editing On Human Cloning

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

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?

Science and technology are always pushing forward and leading us to new discoveries, dramatically altering life as we know it. One of the newest discoveries is the genetic enhancement of infants, also known as designer babies or germline enhancement. Scientists take the human embryo and enhance its genetic makeup to ensure a particular gene is present or to remove the gene altogether. The manipulation of the unborn child’s genes will pose unknown risks and will be done without their consent. The controversy of this deception will further destabilize society and its unity. The genetic enhancement of infants should be opposed because it is unethical and dangerous to civilians and society.

Even though gene editing has been discussed and thoroughly gone through and examined, many scientists are still very skeptical and refuse to even do it especially on embryos.

Anthony Wrigley has a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of Leeds, currently is a senior lecturer in Ethics, Keele University. With 19 years’ experience in teaching ethics, and over ten years specialist focus on teaching biomedical and research ethics. Dr. Wrigley engages in the critical ethical evaluation of legislation and policy on matters of biomedical and research ethics. He focuses on questioning the ethics into anything medical relate just like gene editing, and how it affects not just the human body but also people it affects. While Ainsley Newson is an Associate Professor of Bioethics at the University of Sydney. She has a Bachelors of Science with first-class honors in human genetics, a Bachelor of Laws with honors and a Ph.D. in Bioethics. Working in the field of bioethics, she specials in ethical issues and

The genetic engineering used for genetically modifying embryos and the thought of genetically modifying embryos is a technology that has caused an unethical dilemma within today’s society. This genetic technology comes at a risk, however, the most common way to genetically modify a human embryo, let alone anything living is known as CRISPR Cas9. This tool uses the enzyme Cas9 to cleave onto DNA to cut it, however according to Alex J. Maben a journalist who wrote an article on the flaws of this technology states “’The Cas9 enzyme that CRISPR uses to cleave DNA… could also make cuts where it’s not intended to, potentially causing cancer’(Kaiser, para5). Also, once CRISPR is in the body, it stays in the body” (Maben). This is an ethical dilemma because as stated above the CRISPR tool can cause cuts to

Imagine a future where parents never had to worry about their child being sick-- a future where technology allowed parents the ability to make a flawless child. That future is near, but is halted due to people’s fear of Genetically Modified Babies, which is “a biologically radical technique referred to by terms including ‘mitochondrial replacement,’ and ‘nuclear genome transfer,’ [these techniques] would produce modifications in every cell of any resulting children” (Cussin and Darnovsky 16). This procedure takes the fetus’s cells and allows the doctors to manipulate the cells in any matter they want; then, the cells are placed in the women’s egg. Unfortunately, Genetically Modified Babies are “codified as [prohibited] in more than 40 countries and several international treaties” (Cussin and Darnovsky 16). In the United States, the FDA had a full day meeting on the subject matter. On February 2014, they discussed human modification and prohibited it (Cussin, Darnovsky 17). The idea of a “designer baby” may seem preposterous, but technology is making the concept attainable. In the United States, there are laboratories that have the technology to reach such a goal, but are unused due to the FDA’s law; however, if “nuclear genome transfer were allowed, [the laboratories] could be used for any purpose” (Cussin and Darnovsky 17). America should allow gene manipulation in babies because it is inhumane to let innocent babies suffer from diseases and disorders that can be

Fast forwards two hundred years and the science (or lack thereof) depicted is almost indistinguishable, a revolutionary new process called CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is allowing science to edit the human genome almost at will. With the announcement of US scientists creating the first genetically modified embryo, an outburst of ethical debate has arisen. While they are certainly not the first (a Chinese division won the achievement in 2015), this achievement was created through the CRISPR process.

Designer babies are babies whose DNA has been modified to include and exclude certain traits. One such example is CRISPR-Cas9, a new technology, giving scientists the ability to control the genetic structure of human cells and use to create designer babies (Sas & Lawrenz, 2017). Additionally, what makes this gene editing attractive is the ability to locate, modify, or even remove deleterious gene diseases (Otieno, 2015). Gene editing might be beneficial to bring a child into this world without extra challenges such as deformities, genetic defects, and illnesses yet, there are serious concerns over this practice. Ultimately, not only is gene editing both difficult and expensive to achieve, but it is also an unreliable way to change natural order

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.

In today’s society, we as 21st-century human beings have loads of technological advancements. We today have luxuries our ancestries would never have imagined. Since the 1950’s humankind was made significant strides in the endeavors of science and technology. The microwave, the World Wide Web, automobiles, and smartphones are just a few examples of the daily advances that had. However, some developments are more controversial than others. Controversial topics include vaccines, stem cell research, GMOs, and the safety of Nuclear power. A new development that is picking up a lot of attention is the ability to edit the human embryos, more commonly known as “Designer babies.” Genetic Modification can make the thought of being able to create a 'perfect' child a reality. “Designer babies” are basically babies that have been genetically modified. All though I personally am for a lot of the scientific progress over the years, this is a subject I cannot agree with. Genetically modified offspring is morally reprehensible and should not be allowed.

New technology that promises to make it possible to edit genetic information and to alter and or screen for genetic disease and defects prior to birth has to be one of the most controversial topics of all times. Reproductive technologies such as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnoses (PGD) and CRSPR, which involves RNA and the enzyme nuclease to edit genes, have given humanity the power to direct its own evolution. Anyone would agree that people should have the freedom to choose what they want and how they want it, but at the same time, it seems that humanity has gone way too far. Altering genes and picking cosmetic traits for an offspring is not a natural process, which can cause controversy among religious and philosophical individuals. As described in the articles, the immediate barriers lay upon practical and philosophical questions that

According to “Are biotechnology…,” the science of genetic engineering can be defined as “the process of introducing, eliminating, or changing an organism’s genetic material.” But as this article also states, this idea of editing an organism’s characteristics is nothing new. Selective breeding, for example, has been common in society for a long time. Hitchings mentions the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system which is just one example of many different systems available. As this science has gained popularity, ethical concerns have been brought up, along with a debate on if these concerns prove it to be unethical. Although some scientists claim that the medical and economic benefits outweigh the many risks, genetic engineering is not ethical because

In a hospital in Hangzhou China, doctor Wu Shixiu has been using CRISPR-Cas9 technology in hopes of providing a revolutionary cure for cancer (Wall Street Journal 2018). Since then, China has already successfully cloned two infant macaques (MIT Technology Review). China’s initiative in gene editing technology has set forth a race with the United States for the development of gene editing therapy. Gene editing promises mothers that they can save their children from genefits defects and cancer patients that they can be cured. Although the inception of gene editing technology provides tremendous hope to many cancer patients, it is important to remember the reality of gene editing and the ethical questions this technological feat poses.