Genetic Modification

 Genetic engineering can prevent children from being born with deadly diseases before they are born.

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

First of all, it could be possible to change disease genes and change the risk of getting diseases for future generations (Doc. 3). It might also be possible “to install genes that offer lifelong protection against infection.” (Doc. 3). It is also voted most popular to genetically change humans for the cause of reducing the risk of serious diseases than to make the baby more intelligent (Doc. 4). Lastly, germline editing could also potentially decrease or eliminate many serious genetic diseases, which would reduce human suffering worldwide (OI).

The use of genetic engineering shouldn't give parents the choice to design their child because of the act of humans “playing” God, the ethics involved in interfering with human lives, and the dangers of changing human genes. Because of recent technological advances in "designer babies", parents

The innovation of CRISPR can help slow down the process of death. With all diseases being cured the only way to go is either natural or some form of an accident. By successfully altering dna can simply remove a disease from the patient. Also this will help with evolution of mankind by producing the perfect people in society. As for parenting it will give the option to design their baby for height, weight, eye color, and hair color.

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.

With the informational facts given overtime most of us can conclude that health is the major issue that we must focus on for genetic modification, not only for the embryo but for the individual carrying the embryo or even the society. Health not only includes the embryo's risk of catching a cold but also obtaining severe genes that may be life threatening such as cancer being passed down or even HIV/Aids. The society also is something to think about with the health issue, thinking about if genetic modification of embryos will affect the family's gene pool, other siblings, the embryo as he or she gets older, and even how the environment surrounding the embryo will act towards he or she in which can all affect a person's mindset and viewpoint as a whole. Genetic modification must be addressed for the interest and health of future subjects and risk takers who will actually think about “building” their babies look and

Therapeutic genetic manipulation is preformed by doctors to prevent diseases that the baby is carrying. The baby is tested by screening the embryo for any possible unknown diseases. Sometimes the PGD or preimplantation genetic diagnosis technique is used for this ("Biotechnology special focus"). The main diseases PGD is used to test for in babies are Hunntington's disease, Tay-sacks, Alzheimers, Familia cancers, Sickle Cell disease, Hemophilia, Neurofibromatosis, Fanconi's Anemia, Cystic fibrosis and most recently, Down's Syndrome ("Hooray for designer babies", 2002). This technique involves removing the unfertilized egg from the female, mating it with a sperm and then testing it for diseases. If all the diseases are absent, the fertilized egg is planted into the mother's uterus to develop into a baby. Some other unpredictable diseases may also be carried in the baby's chromosomes. Chromosome carrying diseases and disorders include: miscarriage of the baby, physical birth defects or down syndrome (Biotechnology special focus").

One of the biggest ethical arguments against gene editing is that it is unnatural, unsafe and “amounts to playing god” (“Pro and Con: Should Gene Editing,” 2016). I feel that for as long as humans have been living on this earth, we have been reproducing without any knowledge of what deformations, diseases, other life-threatening illnesses or even the eye and hair color that one could be born with. Until recently there has been no way that embryos could be screened for parents to know what complications they might encounter after the birth of their child. Today, the use of a technology called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) used in in vitro fertilization

Finally, my last reason why I do not support genetic engineering is because it will make some people enter a bad emotional state. In the movie GATTACA,when a person was perfect, but then later found out he had mistakes they would enter a suicidal state of mind. This happens because the person thinks they’re perfect but when they realise they are not they think they’re a failure. If we start genetically modifying our children they could experience something similar to this. We should just let everyone be

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.

The controversial topic of genetically modified babies has been a popular argument for americans. By changing the DNA of the kid is extremely risky, this would change the baby's future generations to come. Genetically modifying babies is acceptable when the babies life is in danger and the only way to prevent the disorder or disease is to change its DNA, it's unethical when you change the baby's DNA for the sole purpose of having the babies outward appearance be more appealing.

It’s sad to live in a world where the thought of genetically-modifying babies exists. While parents are just trying to better their children’s lives, they’re doing nothing but wasting their money on a very expensive and risky procedure. It’s no coincidence that when CRISPR, the machine/tool used for genetic modification was released, over 40 countries produced legislation to fight against it due to the moral, legal, safety, etc. issues. With genetic modification, numerous health risks, moral questioning and possible discrimination, genetic modification is not the way to go.

Another possible use of genetics could be the production of healthy organs. For example, heart disease is one of the top causes of death in the United States. Scientists predict that they will someday be able to clone healthy heart cells and inject them into damaged areas of the heart to cure defects. There is also a possibility that doctors will be able to take healthy cells and tissue from a patient's body and use them to create organs. This would eliminate the need for organ donor waiting lists. People would no longer be facing early death because there is not a healthy heart or other organ available to them.

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: