Moral and Ethical Issues in Gene Therapy

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. Deoxyribonucleic corrosive is an atom that conveys a large portion of the hereditary guidelines utilized as a part of the improvement, working and propagation of all known living creatures and numerous infections. The National Institutes of Health and Welcome Trust from the London UK and Craig Vendor of Celera Genomics from Maryland USA at the same time exhibited the grouping of human DNA in June of 2000, finishing the first significant attempt of the Human Genome Project (HGP) (Ridley 2). As researchers connection human attributes to qualities fragments of DNA found on one or a greater amount of the 23 human

DNA are like legos, they work together to build the traits of living things. They are the building blocks of the body. Many scientists today have been figuring out different ways to manipulate, change, add, and subtract genes from the DNA in living things; this is process is called genetic engineering. Some of the living things being experimented on are live people, plants, and animals. Today scientists are debating on the morals of genetic engineering due to what the community thinks of it, because of the christian 's viewpoint of genetic engineering. To some christians it may pose a threat to their, but to others it may be a blessing or a gift. Genetic Engineering is a growing breakthrough in the science community. “Over the last 30 years, the field of genetic engineering has developed rapidly due to the greater understanding of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the chemical double helix code from which genes are made. The term genetic engineering is used to describe the process by which the genetic makeup of an organism can be altered using “recombinant DNA technology.” This involves the use of laboratory tools to insert, alter, or cut out pieces of DNA that contain one or more genes of interest.”(Pocket K No. 17) Scientist have yet to unlock the full potential of genetic engineering, but the information and the use they have found for it today has reached farther than anyone 's expectations.

In an ever evolving society, the increased use of technology has become a staple in our day to day lives. With the constant advancements of technology the ideology of cloning has now become a reality. The increasing use of science today is slowly leading to the development of cloning and genetic selection. By altering the genetic make-up of a being, scientists have brought about several questions on how the population would adjust to the “super-beings,” and what benefits and consequences both human and non-humans would gain with their creations? Authors Francis Fukuyama, who wrote “Human Dignity,” and The Dalai Lama, writer of “Ethics and the New Genetics,” has called into question the use of cloning and how it could possibly affect others. With the creation of “super-beings,” humans would ultimately suffer a bigger separation from each other and create unfairness among the human species such as a stronger and more intelligent being.

Throughout history, cultures have cherished their beliefs, and those religions have shaped modern societies. The values of various religions coincide with atheistic morals that humans should not be omnipotent. Religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam share the belief that God maintains ultimate power; therefore, humans are subservient to him and should not attempt to usurp his power. This asserts the notion of limiting human power and relying on the natural course of life, specifically God’s power. The Quran reads, “The sun, the moon and the stars are all at His command. Be aware that creation belongs only to God; it is His penetrating command that in its exalted purity creates the world and all it contains” (Quran 7:54). Genetic modification is paralleled to creation as it is the manipulation of genetics. Non-religious ethical theories such as Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics also oppose genetic modification because they oppose omnipotence, which is a product of genetic modification. Aristotle’s theory emphasizes the importance of balance; therefore, finding the balance of humanity’s power is essential. If we were to pursue genetic modification, the balance of human power would tip as we gained too much control. Applying these ideologies to genetic modification concludes that humans do not have the to right or authority to dictate the course of other humans. Genetics should not be controlled by humans, but rather left to the authority of God, or a higher power, or natural selection, or the universe; whatever label you so choose. The underlying principle remains constant: Humans have no right to interfere with the workings of nature; thus, should not pursue human genetic

Human genetic engineering is one of the newest scientific breakthroughs allowing DNA that is considered “bad” to be replaced using CRISPR. Due to this new technology discovered, many scientists around the world have agreed on banning the practice of humans and embryos, after China first was able to partially succeed in using CRISPR on embryos. The topic of human engineering is very controversial on ethics but also the benefits of the outcome on human genetic engineering and the fast pace that it is going in. Mary Shelley explains in Frankenstein that scientific progress is advancing faster than the human knowledge of science and shows this when Victor creates the creation and how he deals with the creation afterwards. Scientists are careful about transgressing ethical boundaries in the name of progress so that humans should

In 1983, Pope John Paul II mentioned in an address “genetic enhancement was permissible- indeed, laudable- even from a Catholic point of view, as long as it met certain basic moral rules. Among those rules: that these therapies be available to all. Ensuring equality of care may become inseparable from ensuring equality of opportunity.”

With the world of technology making advances so quickly we sometimes forget our own limits as a mortal species. Genetic therapy has the potential to save millions of people from genetic mutations and protein deficiencies. This paper will go on to argue that the Utilitarianism approach in ethics shows all the right things about genetic therapy. The first-time gene therapy was used on a patient dates back in the 1990s when a four-year-old girl had adenosine deaminase deficiency. With this disease, her white blood cells were not doing their job and left her prone to infections. Through the power of genetic therapy some of her white blood cells were extracted, altered to produce adenosine deaminase, and reinjected. This treatment not only saved her life from dangerous diseases but also began a world of opportunities in the medical field. The ethical issue is, is it right or wrong to have that much power to alter genes and to what degree you should be able to modify them. Should people live out their futures the ways they are born or should they live life to the fullest and get the genetic treatments?

Ethics in Human Gene Therapy Throughout history, humans have continuously fought and struggled to improve their chances of survival and health. As advancements in therapy and technology have occurred, however, the field of medicine has become increasingly fraught with issues of ethics and morals. With a variety of problems, ranging from informed consent in human clinical trials, to issues of intentional neglect in the notorious Tuskegee syphilis experiment (in which impoverished African American males were misinformed and denied appropriate treatment in order for researchers to observe the progression of syphilis), to Nazi human experimentation during World War II and the Holocaust, biomedical research and the application of the new therapies have been riddled with such concerns. A contemporary topic in which ethical issues are being hotly contested is the application of

When scientists figured out in the 1970s how to clone and engineer genes, they were amazed and eager to begin their experimentation. The first experiments were done with simple organisms such as bacteria. They would cut out the segments that gave the disease directions and fix it with a healthy functioning gene.

According to Blau and Springer (1995), gene therapy is a newly rising approach at the end of the 20th century and aims to open new door for the treatment of various human diseases based on transfer of genetic materials to cells. The recent gene therapy research has focused on treating individuals by targeting the therapy to body cells such as bone marrow or blood cells. This type of gene therapy is not inherited and thus it cannot be passed down on to a person’s children in the future. Meanwhile, gene therapy could also be targeted to egg and sperm cells (knowns as germline gene therapy) which would allow the inserted gene to be passed on to the progeny. Germline gene therapy allows the correction of disease-causing

On the most surface level, human genetic engineering and human genetic modification are a new and rapidly developing field of science that deals with directly altering the DNA (genetic makeup) of a living human cell. From early science fiction to the present day, taking control of humans’ gen es and directing the flow of evolution has been a subject of debate for many people. Human genetic engineering or HGE tends to bring up thoughts of dystopian futures where altering DNA has unexpectedly resulted in horrible mutant humans that can’t survive and thus the human race perishes, but this is not necessarily the outcome. Since genetic engineering is an emerging field of science, there are still many moral and ethical issues that need to be addressed before continuing research. Atheists and theists both have valid reasons to support / resist the continuation of this field of science. For the purpose of this paper, it will be assumed the reader has a reasonable understanding of the terms atheism, theism, DNA, genes, genome, and how a persons DNA (their genotype) essentially dictates the physical appearance and abilities that person portrays (their phenotype).

Biotechnology interventions are used to advance human brains and our future to the extreme. The process of genetic engineering is very unpredictable and dramatic that it will have a major effect on its environment. Human genetic manipulation is considered unethical and dangerous for the most part. Human genetic alteration is illegal in many countries, but it is used in some places to cure gene diseases. The process of changing the genetic DNA of when a baby is born can be passed down the line of the persons. Swapping bad and unwanted genes for a better one is part of the process. There are many potential advantages gained from this operation as well as some dangers. Considering the ethical implications of the gene enhancement the result might cause a gene problem. The advanced technology application can make a huge different especially improving the quality of a human being by fixing an unwanted and inheritable gene defects. Many people are affected

When discussing the topic genetic modification of humans, some people readily agree that modification of humans is an unsound procedure. Where their agreement typically ends, however, is on the question of how much people generally understand about genetic modification, considering, not only its unfamilirarity, but its broad diversity. Where as some are convinced this bio ingenuity course of action is unnatural and should not be practiced, others maintain that unnatural as it may be, its existence should be unveiled in the acceptance a method that primarily revolves around assisting people for health purposes. I concede that genetic modification in humans should be allowed remedially in reasons related to improving health.

“Genetic engineering differs from cloning in key ways. Whereas cloning produces genetically exact copies of organisms, genetic engineering refers to processes in which scientists manipulate genes to create purposefully different versions of organisms—and, in some cases, entirely new living things”, duplication of genetic cells is known as human cloning. Development of genetic engineering biotechnologies undermines the natural autonomy of life. Does genetic engineering interfere with God’s natural order or a manipulation of God creation and the intended purpose of our lives? Genetic engineering goes against the theological belief of the authority of God and religion governance order. This new paradigm of genetic engineering reproduction of life as we know is an interference of the creation of God’s and life. I believe if we continue the use of genetic engineering cloning it is against everything we believe in, genetic engineering is not God’s will and it should be prohibited,

Every living thing is the product of the genes that were passed down from ancestors. Genes make up everything we are. One gets their traits from their parents. Most people live full lives with relatively good health. However, some people inherit mutated genes or faulty genes. This could lead to genetic disorders that could be life threatening. Even today, many genetic disorders still remain incurable, leaving many people without hope. Genetic therapy could be their answer. It is through this research that the cure for genetic disorders can be found. Though some people believe it is unethical or immoral to alter genes, current therapeutics have not been able to save the lives of the patients with these diseases. Genetic therapy