Human Embryo Editing

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

This topic has already caused mass debates and argument between people, whether they are scientists or just students, everyone has their own opinion. Some people are saying that we should do as much as we can with this technology as we have it, no limitations but others are saying stop wait a second, what do we even really know about this technology. Is it morally okay to genetically change and modify your future children? Should it truly be up to the parents as to what the child’s life will be like? Are there dangerous side affects that we are unaware of yet?

GM could even cure people with AIDS, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and others. Genetic modification to human embryos should be aloud because it could save millions of lives lost to preterm birth complications simply by genetically modifying the embryo of the baby. 1.1 million lives were lost to due to prematurity and low birth weight in 2012 and three fourths of these deaths were within the first week of life, if it was legal to genetically modify human embryos millions of lives could be saved every year. (http://www.businessinsider.com/genetically-modified-animal-experiments-2015-10/#dolly-the-sheep-1). (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_fish) Scientists have already made huge breakthroughs in genetically modifying animals by making mice and rabbits glow in the dark, making salmon grow twice as fast, cloning sheep and tiny pet

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.

Imagine the possibility of eliminating serious genetic diseases from the world. Imagine the idea of treating, preventing or even curing diseases that are yet to be cured. Imagine the feeling of being given improved health and a prolonged lifespan. This can all be accomplished with the aide of genetic engineering. Human genetic engineering refers to the process of directly manipulating human DNA to produce wanted results. DNA is a simple but very complex chemical that has the power to change the world and has begun to do so already. Many opponents to gene therapy fail to realize that genetic engineering has great potential to become very important in the biomedical industry. Though controversy exists regarding the ethics of human genetic engineering, it can produce numerous benefits, which outweigh its disadvantages and side effects; therefore, scientists should be able to manipulate the human genome for the purpose of helping people with serious medical conditions.

Now there are some people that are strongly against this.There are many people that believe scientist are ‘playing God’ by changing the gene of people.But genetically engineering isn't just for modifying humans but also for curing some disease.It's called gene therapy and it had cured some disease for example Cancer, Aids and much more.It’s better for us to act than to not act at

“Advances in genetic science could change the basic nature of human beings by allowing people to alter their genetic makeup or the genetic makeup of their children” (Kahn). Since editing human genes is an extremely controversial topic with great consequences, laws concerning gene editing vary worldwide. In the United States there is no ban on gene editing, however, the government cannot fund embryo modification. Altering human genes is wrong because it could lead to societal problems, create new genetic diseases, and it is immoral.

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.

Earlier this year, the Francis Crick Institute in London asked for permission to start the experimentation on modifying human embryos using a new technique called CRISPER- CAS9. This technique is solely for the purpose to help with human fertility. This is a reason why people are in a hurry to start experimentation on human embryos: for the purpose of fertility. People will pay thousands of dollars for therapies, including in-vitro (a popular fertility therapy) to start a family. Gene editing could be a great way to help with this problem. The embryos that scientist are experimenting on are purely given to them by fertility patients who have donated the embryos for this reason alone. In this particular case the embryos are not

The issue at hand is that scientists are in a period of enlightenment with the human genome and with no standard line of ethics pertaining to editing human embryos in research development other countries are taking liberty to beat around the bush to explore this concept of eugenics. After the cloning of dolly the goat and China cloning two monkeys without a genetic blood disease through a process called CISPR society are asking the same question. Are scientists taking this too far before it is ready? Anyone who plans on reproducing or has genetic diseases in their family may want to consider a side in this debate because they may find themselves with the option of “editing” their baby with the ideal gene pool. This issue is prevalent because the entire world is tempering with human genes and is working towards introducing a whole new set of humans by this technology. Gene manipulation is an important topic because of the ethical and spiritual beliefs that it challenge. Changing genetic material to where there is no disease would affect the entire next population of humans and their future children. While scientists now know how to change our physical traits and handicaps they cannot take out traits like ambitiousness which is what makes manipulating the human genome so dangerous. The risks is that this chase for curing disease could turn into a quest for the ideal human where in the future parents can grocery shop their child or countries can create the ultimate human race.

This is the first time their request has been sanctioned by a national regulatory authority. At the Francis Institution, the scientists hope to cast light on early embryo development, which may eventually lead to safer and more successful fertility. The cons are that it's unnatural or better said as we are trying to play God. The pros are that if it is successful, we could erase diseases like cancer, HIV, and others. We must talk about the outcomes before we jump right into the research. This article discusses the outcomes and explains gene editing in a different way. In my research paper I will be using this article to argue the pros and cons of human gene editing. Also this article gives me a good understanding on how this situation will be handled and carefully taken care

It will also help future generations. When you edit somatic cells, the viruses only add non-mutated DNA into that specific cell. The other cells around it are not affected. The hope with this technology is that the one cell would multiply, and that there would eventually be enough cells to contradict the effects of the disease. This type of editing, however, doesn’t always work, and would only affect that particular individual. There would still be a very high chance of that person passing on that genetic mutation to their children, depending on how many copies of the mutated gene they carry. If we edited the embryo that became that patient, and took out the mutated DNA, that person would have never had to go through gene therapy later on, and all of their offspring would be fine. When the germ cell is changed genetically, all the other cells that multiply from it afterwards will have the correct DNA. This way, future generations wouldn’t have to worry about the effects of diseases such as Huntington’s and Sickle Cell

Consider living in a world where a sizeable majority of our population has been genetically altered in some fashion or another in the future. Then consider whether the practice is ethical or could be perceived as researchers playing God through their technological advancements. For decades, there have been countless progressions in the scientific field regarding genetic enhancements performed on an embryo. In the beginning, there were restrictions in place to disallow altering an embryo’s genetic profile for any reason other than to avoid a hereditary disease that would manipulate the child’s development. As time has progressed, scientists are now utilizing the procedures to tailor a child’s characteristics to the detailed specifications asserted

On the contrary, when genetically revising a baby, there is a point where society believes that having the procedure done is morally right. For instance, “genetically altering someone so that they are born without brain defects would probably be morally right” (Notaro, 2012, p. 1). In cases where there is a purpose to alter a baby, designing him or her is acceptable whereas just changing appearance is unnecessary. “The promise is that we may soon be able to treat and prevent a host of debilitating diseases” (Sandel, 2004, p. 1). A goal for all doctors are to save lives and make as many people happy and healthy. Eradicating a disease helps when attempting to rescue people from a potentially fatal illness. “This aspect of PGD [Preimplantation genetic diagnosis] strikes hardest at those people who were born with these inherited diseases, since many of them feel they have been rejected by society” (Edwards, 2017, p. 2).

If you could design your own child, would you? Whether or not you would, it seems that it might become possible sooner than you would think. With the rising popularity of CRISPR since its potential was realized by Doudna and Charpentier labs in 2012, editing the DNA of living things has become not only simple, but affordable, too. The technology not only can, but has been used to modify the genomes of bacteria, plants, monkeys, pigs, rats, mice, and more (Reis, Robb, & Tzertzinis, 2014). The process is mainly used to edit genes causing inherited genetic disorders, but has also been used to edit genes to give the offspring more desirable traits, such as making sheep have wool of a certain color (Chinese, 2016). The process has even been