The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Engineering

Victor Frankenstein may have created and abandoned a creature, but what happens when you start to design future generations? Any scientific advancement that can have such a great effect on the lives of people has a possibility to be misused. Something as large as genome editing can be extremely useful, life changing, and effect every future generation. Then again, with great power comes great responsibility. Will genome editing be the modern Frankenstein?

When it comes to the topic of genetic modification, most of us will readily agree that genetic modification should be allowed. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of how genetic modification can be dangerous. Whereas some are convinced that people should be able to modify their genes, others maintain that modifying genes can cause too many risks and dangers for humanity. Genetic modification should not be allowed because it is unacceptable to change the natural course of human life.

The alteration of human DNA or human genome is now a practical matter of science and inevitable, but is a question of ethical issues. Changing a human’s genome can change how they look, act, and can even minimize genetic problems. A genome can determine many things such as how someone may age, how well they adapts to the environment, and even their personality and mental health. Scientists have found ways to alter these sequences of DNA to make plants, animals, and even babies with those genetic traits seen as more desirable. For example, In the late 1980’s a scientist at the University of Japan found a repeated DNA gene sequence which later another scientist found that this sequences is part of a sophisticated immune system that bacteria use to fight viruses. (A Powerful New Way to Edit DNA). This sequence could be modified to help humans fight

Reasons people do this the most obvious is they are in the market of making money, and

It is impossible to learn more about how genetic engineering affects humans without first testing and experimenting it.

Genetic engineering in the 21st century has evolved so much, that some say the world is on the edge of a scientific innovation that brings up one of the greatest controversial concepts of all time; the genetic engineering of human beings. I believe that genetic engineering of humans, or also known as eugenics, is morally wrong, hazardous, and will lead to many problems today.

The make-up of the human genome is very interesting. So many possibilities and different variables that make up our genes. The genes are like snowflakes, every person is unique. But, what if one could be genetically designed? Bill McKibben's, "Designer Genes" describes the inside scoop of designing the human genome. With Genetic Modification engineering genes and Somatic Gene Therapy, these both have amazing pros and devastating cons

Genetic engineering is the process whereby new DNA is added or existing DNA is altered in an organism 's genome. This may involve changing one base pair (A-T or C-G) or deleting entire sections of DNA or adding additional copies of a gene. This results in creating new traits that were not previously present in the organism’s genome. This is done to selectively breed desired traits or to create plants with increased resistance to pesticides and increased tolerance to herbicides. For example insulin is a protein that regulates sugar content in our blood and is produced normally in the pancreas. Genetic engineering is used to produce a form of insulin that is similar to yeast and bacterial cells. This genetically engineered insulin is called

Over the course of this year, I have acknowledged many things that have peaked my interest. In biology, we 've learned things that vast many topics, we 've been taught how much energy gets passed on throughout each trophic level to how the positive/negative ions in water molecules can effect how they bind to each other/are attracted to one another. While going over the long unit known as genetics, one topic in particular left a mark in my mind: Genetic Engineering/modification.

One argument against genetic engineering is that it is the equivalent of playing God. These critics argue that to successfully change a human’s DNA would be morally wrong and would limit genetic diversity, thus creating genetically modified children. The possibility of these designer babies is sparking controversy everywhere. “Many people are afraid that these children with designer genes will be unpredictable.” (Harris) The outcome of modified DNA may be unpredictable and dangerous; no scientist has proven that DNA modification is 100% safe. In any case, it is possible that if genetic engineering becomes a common and popular occurrence in our society that all human diversity could be wiped out. “Ultimately, the reduction of undesirable traits in humans would lead to a generation of pure breeds with very little capability of adapting to changes in the environment...” (Genetic Engineering in Humans). Adapting to different environments is something humans have always done. Genetic engineering will change that by eliminating the ability to adapt. Naturally, if humans get to a point in human development that they can no longer adapt, the world might as well be over. By letting parents choose certain traits for their offspring, that is taking away the

To create a child or let God create His own wonderful gifts for us? The Lord Jesus Christ began his incarnation as an embryo, growing into a fetus, infant, child, teenager, and adult: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to born, and gave birth to her firstborn, a son” (Luke 2:6-7, NIV).

Genetic engineering on humans is a moral dilemma that sooner or later will be brought up through our legal system. The outcome favors the untimely destruction of humans if it introduced into society.

Reproductive germline engineering—the genetic selection and modification of embryos—offers a change in the human reproduction cycle and the human race in general. Although still in development, genetic engineering hopes to one day be able to allow parents to choose the appearance, personality, and intelligence of their children—very much like the virtual reality games that allow players to design every aspect of their own avatar or characters. While this advancement in science and molecular engineering seems exciting and innovative, this type of enhancement has many ethical issues. In this essay I will use Kantian moral theory to explain why genetic engineering is unethical. I will begin by giving background information about genetic engineering development and describe the views of those on both sides of the issue. I will then offer my own argument—that genetic engineering removes individuality from the children and is extremely paternalistic. Genetic engineering should only be utilized for removing traits that would lessen a person’s quality of life such as life-threatening diseases. I will then offer the counterargument to my position that genetic engineering is utilitarian and gives people the best and easiest life possible. After describing the argument, I will expose the faults in the argument and explain how genetic engineering does not necessarily improve life for those impacted and also does not benefit the majority of people if only the rich can afford the process.

Is there really a perfect human race? Some people think there could be with the help of human engineering. There is a notion that genetic engineering is the solution to all human defects, and that it is the perfect resolution to parents being able to have the perfect families that they have always wanted. This sounds amazing! Although genetic engineering sounds fantastic there are many downsides, not only morally but potentially health wise also. This practice is risky because there could be horrendous side effects that come with the treatment when it is used on embryos. It is almost unacceptable morally, it violates specific human rights of the human embryos, it allows people to play God, it creates an illusion of perfection within families, it could create a large social divide, and it shows how shallow humans are. Genetic engineering might not be all it is cracked up to be.

Having the ability to genetically alter DNA is a very controversial topic around the world. Genetic engineering is the scientific modification of the structure in living organisms. Although many people stand in oppose genetic engineering because of its potential to destroy the human race, there are many benefits to this kind of science. Genetic engineering can benefit the world as a whole in more ways than one might at first believe. Many people have been saved by having their DNA genetically altered but some people still worry that “playing god” is wrong and could result in disaster for the environment. Genetic engineering can be very useful only with certain limitations. Genetic Engineering should only be allowed when it is used to cure diseases or deformities and is limited responsibly by the appropriate agencies.