Sorry But Your Soul Just Died

Contrary to Kitcher’s minimalist model that constrains eugenic decisions only to avoid neurological diseases, Gregory Stock’s position in the debate defends maximalist eugenics in which individuals have total free eugenic decision-making, including enhancement, without any state coercion. He wants readers to accept and adopt such a position by arguing that genetic engineering such as selecting and alternating embryos is an inevitable future and human destiny (7, Stock, CC p.279). For example, if redesigning humans became commonplace, Stock reasons that parents would give their children endowments they desire but could not otherwise obtain and thus further expand life’s possibilities to the next generation (8, Stock, CC p.276). In this society, people’s genes would become an embodiment of their parents’ values and preferences. People would arguably want such endowments since they would view modifications as beneficial in

Life extensions are critically dependent on futuristic medical advancements. However, a strong noble compass is needed to ensure scientific advancements do not cross moral ethics of life. Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, and the movie Gattaca, directed by Andrew Niccol, propose technologically advanced societies that challenge ethical and moral views. Although Brave New World and Gattaca relate in genetic discrimination, they differ in technology’s powers and limits, as well as the resiliency of the human spirit.

Fukuyama’s (2002) principal point in explaining his view of Factor X is: “…we are complex wholes rather than the sum of simple parts, then it is clear that there is no simple answer to the question, What is Factor X (p. 159)? Instead of one defining element, he believed that Factor X is made up of multiple aspects that make humans unique and create the basic human dignity that allows for a minimal level of respect. He also discusses how biotechnology could disrupt human nature and create political unrest between the left and right. Extreme advances in biotechnology could create a divide in the human race between the ”GenRich“ and the ”GenPoor“ where the GenRich would have highly modified genes whereas the GenPoor are without these

It is incredible to see how far genetic engineering has come. Humans, plants, and any living organism can now be manipulated. Scientists have found ways to change humans before they are even born. They can remove, add, or alter genes in the human genome. Making things possible that humans (even thirty years ago) would have never imagined. Richard Hayes claims in SuperSize Your Child? that genetic engineering needs to have limitations. That genetic engineering should be used for medical purposes, but not for “genetic modification that could open the door to high-tech eugenic engineering” (188). There is no doubt that genetic engineering can amount to great things, but without limits it could lead the human race into a future that no one

Cynthia Robbins-Roth's book “From Alchemy to IPO: The Business of Biotechnology” is a must read for those who are passionate towards the field of biotechnology. It offers a complete insight on the exciting world of biotechnology, right from its initial stages in the 1970’s and 1980’s. For many centuries now, biotechnology has been in practice such as to bake bread, brew alcoholic beverages, and breed food crops or domestic animals. But recent developments in molecular biology and genetics, have given biotechnology new meaning, new prominence and new potential. It has captured the attention of the public. Modern biotechnology can have a dramatic effect on the world economy and society and this is the underlying statement throughout the book.

Essay
 
As the world is becoming more and more populated we have to think of new ways to sustain life by possibly using cloning and genetic engineering. This text is going to examine how James Cameron and Nancy Farmer portray Cloning, Genetic Engineering and how sustainability is evident. Cloning and genetic engineering can both be used to sustain life on our planet but whether we can put behind us the ethical concerns relating to them in order to sustain life is another story. All three of these evident themes have a very similar underlying message in both of these examples.
 
Genetic engineering means the modification of of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. Both James Cameron and Nancy Farmer use some form of genetic engineering

The Biotech Century written by Jeremy Rifkin provides insight about the evolution of the earth. In our present time we are living in a pyrotechnology, Rifkin suggest that we are now heading toward a biotechnology age. There is a “new operational matrix” coming into play, which comes together from seven different variables. The biotechnology age represents a time when living material can be altered for economic cornucopia. The biotechnology era does promise a lot of advancement, but does not offer a predictive ecology. The advancement in science could cause a disruption in humanity, due to manipulation of living material. During the Biotech Century people are faced with Godly like choices, people will have the option to make a “perfect human” getting rid of all defects. While other people will be awarded patents for living material for commercial incentive.

The birth of a child is supposed to be a time of joy, the uncertainty of life leads to this one point in time. Will she or he be the next president, a star athlete, a genius or just fall into the crowd as another citizen. With recent advancements in science, this uncertainty has become a thing of the past. The human being is now seen as a commodity and no more is valued in the uncertainty of individuality. The parent can now choose how they want their child to come out or develop into. Sandel’s book The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Case of Modern Eugenics is a well researched look into examples of modern eugenics and the problems that arise from it. These topics range from the ethics of cloning, athletes using performance enhancing drugs, and other practical uses in everyday life. Sandel’s argument is that there is value in human nature (even with all its flaws), and genetic engineering will forever change human nature. Destroying the very essence of what it is to be human and scarring humanity. The main features of human nature that will be altered: are responsibility, humility and solidarity.

Annes says, the current state of things has opened an opportunity for humanity to “think seriously about what we would like [the future] to be.” However, when interrogated on the matter, the public opinion’s vision of the future appears to exclude human genetic engineering, at least according to the Center for Genetics and Society’s survey. In fact, 83% of Americans surveyed in May of 2013 disapproved of human cloning, with 59% standing in strong opposition to the creation of human embryos for the purpose of research ("CGS Summary of Public Opinion Polls"). These numbers may seem strange, especially when one considers all the possible benefits genetic engineering could yield, among those being fewer diseases, reduced (or even nonexistent) birth defects, and improved physical condition of offspring. The aforementioned NCBI speaks of bringing pluripotent cells to their full potential, and pushing humanity to the barrier of its capabilities. But yet, the general populace seems to be opposed to the prospect, most likely do to metathesiophobia - or the fear of change. Belgian poet Maurice Maeterlinck is quoted as saying “at every crossroads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past,” and that would appear to be the issue here. The human brain is often in pursuit of pattern and meaning and subsequently is not all too ready to adopt a new pattern and adjust its interpretations of the world around it. While there are many logical oppositions to human genetic engineering (such as the possible consequences of a miscalculation), many of those concerns can be addressed and in fact overcome; however, the fear of change cannot truly be terminated. People prefer current class structure; those who wish not to be modified fear the worlds of Gattaca; but these preferences hinder scientific progress, as human emotion tends to

While moral contemplations discovered their way into standard media talk about biotechnology in ways that had already been phenomenal and that may have had huge impact on the resulting history of the open

With restrictions these outcomes are avoided. This medical advancement will make a healthier society because it will eliminate disease inflicted cells and save lives without harmful societal effects (qtd. in "Should Genetically Engineered") Experts, such as Jean Jenkins, a clinical advisor for the Division of Communication, Policy, and Education at the National Human Genome Research Institute say that genetic modification will create a society filled with unfair advantages and a loss of individuality (Jenkins 2). Genetic modification will allow people will to choose the genetic makeup of their children and create a “superhuman,”(someone who is stronger, faster, and more intellectually advanced in comparison to others). One argument against the “superhuman” theory is that genetically modifying humans will only be accessible to people who can afford it (Jenkins 4). This is caused by knowing that PGM comes with a price, similar to cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery for non-medical purposes is only available to people who can afford it. Some assert that PGM is similar to eugenics, which is the pseudo-science of improving a human population by controlled breeding(Suter 923-924). There are many different arguments to be considered before knowing if the benefits overrule the negative consequences. China and the United Kingdom’s science boards are approved to study PGM and are using nonviable embryos, resources that otherwise would be discarded, to improve genetic modification technology and establish safety (ResearchSEA). On the contrary the United States has yet to attempt genetic modification of the embryo in humans due to a lack of federal funding (qtd. in "Should Genetically Engineered"). Thus leaving the United States behind in technological and medical advancements. These concerns are

Biology is the science of life. Technology uses science to solve problems. Our society has progressed in its understanding of life to the point that we are able to manipulate it on a fundamental level through technology. This has led to profound ethical dilemmas. The movie Gattaca explores some important bioethical issues that are currently the focus of much dispute. The underlying thematic issue presented is the question of the extent to which biologically inherent human potential determines the true potential of a person. Perhaps the most controversial issue in Gattaca is the use of genetic engineering technology in humans to create a more perfect society; this is, essentially, a new

The thought of genetically engineered fruit doesn’t usually cross one’s mind, but when fruit is replaced with babies, the strangeness of the idea surfaces. Genetic engineering goes against morals of society by suggesting that babies are to be made in a laboratory. Genetic engineering suggests that the right way to produce babies is scientifically in a laboratory because “our technological advances- including those that require overriding existing moral boundaries- quickly seem insufficient, because the human desire for perfect control and perfect happiness is insatiable”(Cohen). Scientists believe that society will never be satisfied with current technology, so scientists find ways to make people satisfied by giving them ways to make perfect children. In Brave New World, the society begins with technological advances like genetic engineering, but eventually leads to soma

It can be said that some of the perceived biggest threats like atomic bombs and nuclear weapons are not actually impossible to deal with because human beings cab clearly understands what the danger and potential disaster that these products can cause without proper precaution. On the other hand, the possible threats raised by biotechnology and are not as straightforward. Biotechnology is not exactly a winning bargain. While human life expectancy could be expanded by an extra hundred years, it as taken by a price of having less mental capacity, freedom from depression and

The second half of the book reviews both the hurdles and the hopes. Specifically, he talks about the scientific, economic, political, and social changes needed to advance the field and ultimately bring about a revolution that would lead to a revolution and ultimately a bio economy.