In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, she explores the idea of emulating God, but also the consequences of neglecting the results of discovery. If Mary Shelley was alive right now, she would be against many ideas of emerging technology, especially genetic engineering. Although her position isn't explicitly stated, she urges the reader not to tamper with creating life. A new technology that is emerging in science is stem cell research. I think Mary Shelley would reject this idea to some extent because she writes of how creating life can cause immense chaos, especially if the result is less than desired. In the article “Scientists successfully create human stem cells through cloning.” they discuss how human stem cells are created. …show more content…
“Big Leaps In Gene Editing Raise Ethical Questions About Human Application” NPR health correspondent Rob Stein states “Now, the fear here is that they're using CRISPR to modify these insects with something known as a gene drive. And a gene drive spreads a genetic modification through an entire species really quickly. So something could go wrong” This right here agrees with Shelley. These scientists, unlike Frankenstein, is actually acknowledging that there are repercussions that are bound to follow. “And that could upset the delicate balance of an ecosystem some way that could maybe unleash some new epidemic or cause the ecosystem to collapse and cause famine.”In addition, scientists are also predicting what could go awry, and hopefully planning a way to fix it if it does. This differs from Mary Shelley's novel because Frankenstein never logically thought out the consequences of creating a human sequestered in a laboratory. He didn’t stop to ponder how he would teach or help the human if this experiment didn’t go well. He was obsessed with creating life, but not taking care of that life he
The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is arguably one of the most well known books ever written. What many people don't realize is with modern technology humans might not be far from creating artificial life. Through research involving STEM cells and “designer babies” we are near the point of creating parts of the human body. The problem is, seemingly immutable laws have restricted scientists abilities to study STEM cells. The unremitting battle between the two sides is what holds this country back from reaching its full health potential.
Stem Cell research is beneficial and the better understanding of Stem Cells may be able to cure diseases with high fatality rates however the sacrifices of unborn babies and the victim of abortions is immoral. Stem Cell research is contradictory to its purpose because sacrificing humans to create a better life for humans is monstrous. Stem Cell research uses embryos and starts from scratch just like Frankenstein being stitched together. Shelly views the creation of humans monstrous through the eyes Victor Frankenstein.
Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein cannot merely be read as a literary work of the early 19th century. It represents the workings of young Shelley's mind. Further, it represents the vast scientific discoveries of the time, combined with Mary Shelley's intuitive perception of science. She views science as a powerful entity, but also recognizes the dangers if uncontrolled. Shelley demonstrates this fear in the book as science drives Victor Frankenstein to create his monster. In the end, it is also his use of science that inevitably becomes his demise.
Over two centuries ago, Mary Shelley created a gruesome tale of the horrific ramifications that result when man over steps his bounds and manipulates nature. In her classic tale, Frankenstein, Shelley weaves together the terrifying implications of a young scientist playing God and creating life, only to be haunted for the duration of his life by the monster of his own sordid creation. Reading Shelley in the context of present technologically advanced times, her tale of monstrous creation provides a very gruesome caution. For today, it is not merely a human being the sciences are lusting blindly to bring to life, as was the deranged quest of Victor Frankenstein, but rather to
Shelley displays the dangers of having an overpowering passion while isolating oneself from the rest of the world. Frankenstein became brainwashed by his passion and it soon brewed into a dangerous mix that robbed the lives of Victor and his loved ones. His selfishness convinced him to sign away his conscience, and give birth to a new monster both physically and mentally for Victor. He pushed the parameters of science and received the abhorrent consequences that Romantics were paranoid of during this time period. Scientists all over the world intrude on the natural bounds of science, and Shelley warns those scientists that nature will punish those who do. Humans must be careful when creating bionic robots, or cloning their pets, because nature will take matters into its own hands when it feels the line has been crossed. People all over the world have a natural curiosity about what makes humans humans and how far we can venture into the mysteries of nature, however, only a few develop that curiosity into an obsession and insubordination of humanity and ethics. Shelley provides a warning for all those who take that curiosity to a new level, showing that if you push nature, nature will surely push
Ever since its publishing, Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein has been the topic of many discussions regarding the pursuit of technological advancement. Many have claimed that the novel aims to warn against the pursuit of such endeavors, as they imply the tampering with matters not meant for human hands. Although Shelley may have in part desired to convey the dangers of taking science “too far”, Frankenstein seems to have more focus on punishing Victor Frankenstein for his failure to fulfill his obligations as the harbinger of such a weighty discovery, one with the potential for both great benefit and great harm. Immediately after Victor Frankenstein witnesses his creation come to life, he becomes overwhelmed with
Mary Shelley expresses various ethical issues by creating a mythical monster called Frankenstein. There is some controversy on how Mary Shelley defines human nature in the novel, there are many features of the way humans react in situations. Shelley uses a relationship between morality and science, she brings the two subjects together when writing Frankenstein, and she shows the amount of controversy with the advancement of science. There are said to be some limits to the scientific inquiry that could have restrained the quantity of scientific implications that Mary Shelley was able to make, along with the types of scientific restraints. Mary Shelley wrote this classic novel in such a way that it depicted some amounts foreshadowing of the
The novel, Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, centers around a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and the creation that comes from one of his experiments. In her book, Shelley addresses the concern of technology going too far and disrupting human life. She argues that the progression of technology becomes monstrous when humans can no longer control it. In many cases, the use of genetic engineering leaves scientists useless because they have no control over the consequences that come from it. Victor Frankenstein is trying to recreate life, but does not understand everything that comes with it. His attempt to copy life, ended up disturbing the natural order of human life because of the unexpected actions of the creation. The use of genetic