The Pros And Cons Of Human Genetic Engineering

You are probably familiar with GMO’s (genetically modified organism) and scientifically modified food that has had its DNA changes. There has been debate on GMO’s has been going on for a few decades, whether GMO are safe and even ethical. However, there is another debate that far surpasses GMOs and has a potential to radically shake society: the issue of genetically modifying humans. Changing our DNA could limit health issue or create a new Frankenstein’s monster among humans. Frankenstein had the wrong intent when he set out to create his monster. He only cared about himself and advancing his future. If Genetic engineering is sought after to just create something new there will be another monster. However, genetic can be safe and ethical if its intent and use is for medical purposes. We need to help the sick in society and one way to do that is with genetic engineering. With this purpose genetic engineering is not overstepping our authority like Frankenstein did.

Why are humans stuck how they are? Why do some have lethal flaws? Why do theses flaws exist? The correct answer is they don’t have to: Human genetic engineering can solve some of theses lethal issues now and can solve more in the future. It can help the next generation experience what everyone strives to achieve. Human genetic engineering research should continue because it can save people's lives, improve human’s lives and improve the lives of the next generation of children.

Throughout the world, many intelligent minds exist. One, in particular, had something to say about Human genetic engineering. “Nuclear weapons need large facilities, but genetic engineering can be done in a small lab. You cannot regulate every lab in the world. The danger is that either by accident or design, we create a virus that destroys us” (Stephen Hawking). Hawking is considered to be one of the most intelligent people in the modern world. For this reason, his statement is not to be taken with a grain of salt. The concept of Human genetic engineering is surrounded with danger and controversy. There are several different positions on human genetic modification. Conservatives, or Traditionalists believe such innovation or change would be detrimental towards the human race. Conservatives say that families are the foundation of society so changing how families come to be would ultimately tear society apart (Foht). Others say that innovation of such magnitude would act as a boon to the human race. Concerning the danger of genetic engineering, it could definitely become an immense detriment. However, with the correct limitation and government oversight, the human race will benefit from it. Genetically engineering a Human embryo is a step that science will eventually take. Whether it be decades or centuries from now, genetically modified humans will walk the Earth.

While the two stand on opposite sides of the fence, it can be agreed upon by both authors that genetic modification could change the world with it’s ability to eliminate disease. “New human genetic technologies have real potential to help prevent or cure many terrible diseases” (Hayes, 500) states Hayes, as he supports genetic modification through this service. Green, the advocate for the process, is quick to provide examples of how the practice could improve the lives of future children. “If we understood the genetic causes of obesity, for example, we can intervene by means of embryo selection to produce a child with reduced likelihood of getting fat” (Green, 496).

Genetic engineering is the figurehead of the ethical concerns of scientists in the 21st century. Nothing is more engrossed with criticism and dislike than the idea of altering the baseline for living organisms. Many people are skeptical of genetic engineering due to the versatility it exhibits. A scientist could use a genetic editing tool, such as CRISPR, to remove the genes for a hereditary disease in an embryo, but they could also utilize it to alter the physical characteristics of a human baby. This thought provoked the flood gates of ethics to unleash a multitude of unanswered questions and concerns about the usage and further development of genetic engineering. The field of genetic engineering is

Do you ever wish you could have colored blue eyes and blond hair? Could you imagine

Genomic science can be used for reducing susceptibility to diseases, superior intelligence, and lengthening the life expectancy (Green 3). Due to that fact that we can advance farther as a species, advocates for gene modification push continuously to develop the technology needed. However, according to David King’s article, Human Genetic Engineering is Risky and Should Be Stopped, there are very few genetic diseases in which human genetic engineering is the solution. In fact, even though the main purpose of HGE is to eliminate genes that cause disease, almost all cases of prenatal genetic testing allow the avoidance of said disease without the use of HGE (3). If genetic modification were to be expanded, it would most certainly be a popular market for cosmetics rather than for medical benefits. HGE is an unnecessary method and should be stopped before it is used

Nowadays with the advancement of genetic technology, there seems to be a term designer baby. An article written with combined different sources tells the advantages and disadvantages of designing babies using genetic engineering used on embryos. It asks us the ethical question as to whether the parent have the right reason to modify or just for the show of it. There seems to be greater risk to the embryo if it is not handled carefully; furthermore, the technology is only in the experimental stages. Another major concerns is that the technology creating a gap in our human society. Another major concern is the effect the change in genetic of child would have in terms of himself because we will not know the impact until the child is grown, and what could happen to his family tree. Even though the technology is advanced, there are still problems with targeting specific genes in the human; with that comes major risk to the child, and the human society. Another thing concerning society is that, not everyone would be able to afford the procedure, so in term it we will have two different social class. Although there seems to be many

But while ethicists and the media constantly re-hash these issues, a small group of scientists and publicists are working towards an even more frightening prospect: the intentional genetic engineering of human beings. Just as Ian Wilmut presented us with the first clone of an adult mammal, Dolly, as a fait accompli, so these scientists aim to set in place the tools of a new techno-eugenics, before the public has ever had a chance to decide whether this is the direction we want to go in. The publicists, meanwhile are trying to convince us that these developments are inevitable. Scientists present different arguments on the safety of human genetic engineering. Many studies based on genetic engineering on animals show that genetic engineering on human will come with extremely high

In “British scientists granted permission to genetically modify human embryos, ” Sarah Knapton explains some of the details and controversy surrounding a group of scientists who have been given permission to modify human embryos. For the second time in human history, the first time it has been directly approved, they will deactivate certain genes in embryos to see how it will affect the development of the child in an attempt to identify which genes cause malformations. This could lead to fewer miscarriages, genetic malformations, and increase an individual's fertility. Despite this, there are those worried that this will have poor implications and will lead to common genetically modified humans. This technology has been warned against many

If man could prevent his child from having Tay Sachs Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome and other life threatening genetic disorders, should he be able to? Using human genetic engineering, scientists have developed the skills and techniques to do just this. Human genetic engineering, however, is fairly new in the science world and many questions and unresolved problems still remain. This technology is the center of many arguments in the science world when debating the ethical standpoint (Cyranoski). Both sides have their arguments; however, the pros will far out weigh the cons when the technology is perfected and used under strict rules and regulations. Human genetic engineering is one of the most controversial topics in the field of science that has the potential to improve the human species for the better as a whole, and I support the use of this technology.

Genetic Engineering has been exponentially growing over the years with the media unsure of whether they should support the advancement of genetic engineering or not. While the term genetic engineering is often used in mainstream media, much of the general population does not have a clear understanding of its meaning, current uses, and potential applications. This leads to misinterpretation of the information that the public's receive creating problems which worry them. Despite the risk and ethical concern, genetic engineering holds the potential to benefit and advance humanity by eliminating disease, improving medicine, and developing a better understanding of the human genome.

Genetic engineering of human beings is a contemporary issue of particular ethical and religious interest - ethical because it invites us to choose between alternatives that may be right (ethical) or wrong (unethical), and of religious significance given that the topic raises serious theological questions about the sanctity of human life.

There are several flavours of HGE and human genetic modification (HGM) that will be referred to in this paper, to be concise the different types will be explained in the opening paragraphs so the rest of the paper will not be interrupted

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