Sam Kaleel MU Talks Movies Murray 11/11/15
Gattaca Paper (Discuss whether or not parents should be allowed to manipulate the genes of their embryos to give potentially "good" traits, and get rid of "bad" traits). “Life would enter a new phase, one in which we seize the control of our own evolution”. Gregory Stock. I think that this one quote states it all; I think parents or anyone of that matter should not have that clout to decide on manipulating their child’s genes’. Medical technologies do not see Mother Nature as benign, and they’re by their very existence interfering with nature. With that being said I think inheritance is like a game of craps.
Bad traits. I think that it’s unsafe to do. I know in recent years, there have been multiple deaths due the mishaps in genetic engineering. The viral instruments that are used to have the DNA into the cell may cause some lethal immune responses or even tumors. While this argument may be valid today, it is probably a technical problem or a DNA issue that will eventually be circumvented. Another safety argument is that when transgenes are inserted into the genome, they may disrupt functional genes and cause mutations. Now we do not know yet what such genetic technology will be used for. It could be curing lethal diseases; which is a good idea, and most certainly there are very few people who would be against curing lethal genetic diseases. Genetic engineering assumes that scientists know which traits are good
Dan W. Brock makes a few interesting points in defending genetic engineering, while being observant of the possible downfalls and negative views of the science. Brock starts of his commentary by addressing how the limits to our genes can not "confidently predict the rate at which that understanding [of genetic engineering] will be achieved in the future nor the ultimate limits on it" (pg. 615). Also, the author states how genetic engineering could help parents ensure their children the abilities to live healthy lives, create new treatments for disease, and produce stronger immune systems.
The altering of human genes could save lives. You could cure cystic fibrosis or alzheimer's. This would save the lives of many (Doc. 3). This technology could also give you children with specific traits of your choice. Also, this engineering can leave people painfree. This is not good because they can’t detect danger. As a plus side, scientists will eventually take the gene that causes this and help cure those with chronic long lasting pains (Doc. 2). This would make more people happy and healthy across the nation! Eventually we could go so far as to make a genetically engineered nation. As you can see, Genetic Engineering also could have a positive effect on
In recent years, a debate has sparked whether or not genetic engineering in children should be allowed. Genetic engineering is done to insure that children are born with certain genes. My belief is that genetic engineering should not be used for selfish reasons such as 'perfecting' our children. Genetic engineering should not be used to perfect the imperfections in unborn children. The idea that we as humans must fix everything wrong in our lives is somewhat normal.
Ethically this could make many people happy and live better lives knowing that they won’t have to worry about as many diseases and the fact the they will live a long healthy life but this could also make make all the people that aren't modified sad because they have to live normal lives and will be seen as the superior people because the are more prone to diseases and other health issues. Just like Vincent Freeman he wasn’t allowed to go to certain schools and get his dream job just because he wasn’t genetically modified as a
The escalating supremacy and receptiveness of genetic technology to engineer and "design babies," now gives parents the option to modify their unborn children, consecutively to prevent their offspring's from receiving genetic disorders such as: "sickle cell diseases, cystic fibrosis and down syndrome ," or conceivably, make them blue eye coloured, intelligent or else blessed with enviable qualities. Would this mean there will be an increase in the superiority among the rich, both physically and mentally, or will this modification be available for all to exploit, or would we be evidencing engineered babies facing unexpected genetic predicament? The highly contentious issue of designing unborn children to be a perfect "epitome" is thoroughly investigated and examined in the article of, lead author of
With the informational facts given overtime most of us can conclude that health is the major issue that we must focus on for genetic modification, not only for the embryo but for the individual carrying the embryo or even the society. Health not only includes the embryo's risk of catching a cold but also obtaining severe genes that may be life threatening such as cancer being passed down or even HIV/Aids. The society also is something to think about with the health issue, thinking about if genetic modification of embryos will affect the family's gene pool, other siblings, the embryo as he or she gets older, and even how the environment surrounding the embryo will act towards he or she in which can all affect a person's mindset and viewpoint as a whole. Genetic modification must be addressed for the interest and health of future subjects and risk takers who will actually think about “building” their babies look and
Many see the issue as being whether or not the parent should be able to choose their child’s genes; they also fear that the family unit would be harmed. “A common fear is that as the exact genetics of more complex physical and intellectual characteristics are discovered, the wealthy will be able to afford to choose desirable features for their children while other will not, leading to an escalating division of social classes by genetics” (Hagler 3). They also believe that genetically engineering children will make the child self-centered, and they fear that the family will also feel superior when compared to families of the same class. “Gene editing is thought to offer a way for parents to maximize their control over the properties of their offspring, transforming a relationship that should be characterized by unconditional love and acceptance into one in which children are seen as products of their parents’ desires and wishes, to be provisionally accepted and molded in accord with parental preferences” (Foht 4). Another reason that this could be harmful to the child is that the kids with disabilities or racial groups, like it was in the 1900s with the different labels (Foht
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
The genetic engineering may not correctly which can seriously affect how the baby turns out. An unborn baby is very delicate and when changing its DNA, if not done correctly there is a large chance the embryo will be destroyed which will completely backfire the whole experiment to create a better future for the baby; If the baby's life ends, there’s no future for it. Also using genetic engineering by modifying certain genes to be enhanced can create negative effects on other genes. Creating a baby with no autism could infact lead to a greater number of problems such as reproductive disorders or anger management. Doctors have also seen worse outcomes such as cancer, organ damage, premature aging and immune imbalance. The process also involves altering chromosomes which effectively causes a good percentage of health issues. This technology is easily being overlooked and should definitely be rethinked in a safer manner. Even if the quality of life were to be upgraded by not having independance from certain things, it’s always just too dangerous to attempt with the life of a loved one on the line. A parent should love their child no matter what they look
Scientists have recently brought up the idea of genetically engineering humans, as if we are machines that need to be tinkered with. Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the DNA of an organism. We have seen this type of modification in the food that we have consumed and in the animals that many purchase. It has never been proven to be 100% safe for humans to consume genetically modified food as it is not from nature and our bodies do not know how to react. Also there have been many cases where purebred dogs have been susceptible to numerous diseases because of the decreased gene pool they were modified from, which is the cause of inbreeding. Scientists must never engineer humans because we have seen the bad effects it has had
Genetic engineering has been the subject of controversy since it first started. There is a lot of fear and concern surrounding the possibilities it presents. It is difficult to make ethical decisions about genetic engineering because if offers opportunities to solve many genetic problems such as hereditary diseases. The consequences are positive and negative, but there is no way to determine which will have a greater impact. Genetic engineering could lead to new treatments for hereditary diseases, but it could also have long-term adverse effects. Although there are benefits to genetic engineering, the negative side cannot be overlooked.
Science is now able to better improve human health and safety thanks to the advanced modern technology and medicine that are available. Yet with today's technology being implemented into science comes the questions of human morality, or bioethics. One of the bioethics debates is on the coined term “Designer babies”; on if or where society should draw the line on genetically altering our children before they are born. With the technology able to stop hereditary diseases, the scientific development’s are able to change the child’s “eye color, hair color, social intelligence, right down to whether or not your child would have a widow’s peak” before the child is born. From the options on choosing whether or not your child will look or act a certain
I am partly in awe with the idea of genetic engineering because the population would be spared the pain of losing family to deadly, incurable diseases. As someone who is very close to a person with a deadly disease, I am astounded by the idea that no one else would ever have to go through what he is facing. Not only could this concept spare us pain, but it would impact our world in an unimaginable amount of ways. Our society would save money by not using resources on cures for diseases, which would enable us to focus our money on education
Genetic Engineering has developed by very rapidly over the past twenty years. It is also one of the most controversial topics to go through the United States. From the research gene therapy to the cloning of different animals, genetic engineering can save lives while at the same time, endanger them as well. There are many pros and cons which are being heavily debated by political, scientific, and many other organizations. Most are centered on the idea of using Stem cells as a way of curing diseases.
Genetic engineering is currently a growing field in which people are obsessing over. This is new and upcoming technology that combines genetic and Nanotechnological enhancements, which completes the direct manipulation of DNA to alter an organism’s characteristics in a particular way. In my opinion, it may very well be a great improvement, but it should only be used when necessary. If I were a parent of a child under 12 years of age, I would not sign up for the enhancement.