Genetically Modifying the Human Genome
Genetically engineering the human genome, also known as the complete set of genetic material, is now more than just science fiction, after 25 years of collecting and analyzing scientific research, altering the human genome is becoming a concrete reality (Yu-Wai-Man 1323). Genetically modifying the human genome is deliberately altering human genes for the purpose of producing offspring with those genetic changes. Understanding the history of genome engineering, knowing the procedures, and being aware of the ethical issues of this aggressive approach to curing human genetic diseases are the main aspects to grasping the whole knowledge of germline engineering on human embryos and gametes.
Human genome manipulation began in the 1980’s when discoveries of pronuclear microinjection exploded. According to Kevin Smith, in 1980 Jon Gordon, author of The Science and Ethics of Engineering the Human Germ Line, demonstrated that exogenous DNA, also known DNA that originates outside of the organism of study, could be introduced into the germline simply by the physical injection of a solution of cloned DNA into a zygote, also known as the diploid cell from the fusion of an ovum and a sperm cell (Smith 77). After this landmark discovery from Jon Gordon, pronuclear microinjection, was the most widely accepted method of germline manipulation although it was outstandingly expensive (Smith 79). The procedure of pronuclear microinjection consisted of
Genetic manipulation is a powerful tool that allows humans to selectively modify organisms. It provides the ability for humans to deliberately manipulate an organism 's’ genes in order to produce desirable traits. Genetic manipulation provides the ability for humans to decide which phenotypes to express, and which to eliminate. This typically starts with an individual organism, then goes onto eventually effect and entire species or breed.
On the last years, genetic technology have been improving. The research carried out in this area are focused on the early diagnosis of diseases. Moreover, manipulation of genes in the future provides a critical tool for eliminating fatal diseases to humans. Also humans will be able to manipulate genes from birth. But the real question is although can be perform it, we allow it? Everything possible is ethically permissible? Some dramatic demonstrations of genetic modification have been made with mice and other animals, however, evidence in humans are generally considered outside the ethical boundaries. Gregory Stock, director of the Program on Medicine, Technology, and Society at UCLA and author of Redesigning Humans, in his article “Choosing Our Genes” (2012) argues the use of technology to change humans genetic in order to avoid imperfections or diseases. Stock shows genetic engineering as a very useful technology and that applying it on the future to humans, positive results they will gain. Stocks article is effective, since he gives good reasons why using genetic technology would provide several benefits that people wish to have.
Modern technologies are constantly advancing in a multitude of ways to the degree that scientists have gained enough knowledgeable about the human genome to be able to find specific genes during the embryonic stage of reproduction. Scientists have already begun to use this knowledge to allow parents the ability to select the sex of their child and screen for genetic diseases via preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Sex-selection has already created world-wide discussion regarding the ethics of such a situation. However, scientists are now looking toward germline engineering which will essentially allow parents to select and alter genetic traits of their children before implantation of the embryo into
The idea for genetically modifying the embryos of humans came along a very long time ago, back in 1993, but since then the technological side of this has exploded. The first genetic
Worryingly, there has been minimal public debate regarding this technology that could irreversibly alter the human race. Instead, ethical discourse has been largely contained to scientific and political circles. It is extremely problematic that a large majority of the general public is unaware of the research and debate regarding human gene modification. In addition, the current debate has stagnated, with researchers and politicians being unable to find any common ground. However, upon close examination of the three main ideological groups within this controversy, a key similarity becomes apparent: each group, regardless of whether they are proponents or opponents of human gene
However, by using the same techniques to modify embryos in order to make the changes permanent, irreversible changes to future generations and to our common genetic heritage (the human germline) can cause many problems. There are known risks involved with producing this organism. The “bad” genes from the sperm and egg cells have the potential to wipe out diseases caused by the single mutations in
Parents wish for their children to be perfect and, more so, healthy. Through the advancement of modern technology and science, giving birth to a child of desired hair color, body type, and without any physical or mental ailments could be a reality for all parents, whether or not they are carriers of certain genes. Genetic modification, sometimes called “germline editing,” has the potential to allow for medical doctors and scientists to not only change certain characteristics of a human embryo, but to also alter the future of humanity itself. While this process has many proponents, the modification of the very essence of human life has some people worried. This is, in fact, uncharted territory in the scientific world, and the extent of the possible
Human genetic engineering (HGE), a prevalent topic for scientists in research, is the process of manipulating genes in the human genome. Potentially, scientists can use the process of HGE to alter many biological and psychological human traits by gene modification. Currently, however, there is a large deficiency in information regarding HGE and its effects to the human body; creating a need for scientists to conduct more research and tests. Because of the many unknowns involving HGE it is necessary for policy makers to regulate HGE for the use by scientists. The first part of this paper will provide an overview of what HGE is and the processes involved with the technology of HGE. This paper will then analyze the potential risks associated
Presently streamlined amongst animals, germline engineering stagnates as an imprecise technology, demanding mileages of attempts prior to the manufacture of a successful genetically modified animal. Concurrently, human germline manipulation has
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.
Author Chuck Klosterman said, “The simple truth is that we’re all already cyborgs more or less. Our mouths are filled with silver. Our nearsighted pupils are repaired with surgical lasers. We jam diabetics full of delicious insulin. Almost 40 percent of Americans now have prosthetic limbs. We see to have no qualms about making post-birth improvements to our feeble selves. Why are we so uncomfortable with pre-birth improvement?” Despite Klosterman’s accurate observation, there are reasons people are wearisome toward pre-birth enhancement. Iniquitous practices such as genetic engineering could lead to a degraded feeling in a child and conceivably end in a dystopian society, almost like the society Adolf Hitler had in mind. In the minds of
What if you could design your child before it was even born? What if you could cut out any life threatening diseases, make sure that your child is not susceptible to smoking addictions or alcoholism, and then make your child genius? Would you? Are you asking yourself how this could be done? Have you ever considered human genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering is an issue that involves ethical, moral and social choices. With breakthrough research of human genetic engineering and experiments in DNA in medicine, pharmacology, and reproductive technology, DNA a deoxyribonucleic acid, that has a self-replicating chromosomes cell that has genetic information that can be used for to divide, reproduce DNA molecules, that has been used in bioengineering for
AS 3.7 – Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications.
The human manipulation of genetic transfer that I will be investigating is the use of genetic information in the use of Gene Therapy and Selective breeding in humans due to genetic disorders. Genetic Transfer is the movement of genetic information between organisms in a way other than traditional reproduction. Human manipulation of genetic information is a newer field of science and medicine that uses advancements of knowledge of the human genome and treatment of diseases for a new course of treatment than what was ever thought possible.