Should take on the role of playing God? This question comes to mind when the scientific procedures know as Genetic Engineering is being debated. The answer to that question is yes, we should play God. The reasons being to why we need to Play God is because there are many benefits to Genetic Engineering. Some of the endless amounts of possible benefits to Genetic Engineering such as genetically altering the traits of Humans and or Animals, another benefit is being able to produce resilient crops and heighten the crops yield, and also eliminating cancers/diseases or hereditary disorders; But on the other hand, Genetic Engineering can possibly lead “Playing God” to being able to create Humans ‘designer babies’ inevitably going against the morals …show more content…
According to the author Arthur Caplan one of the possible benefits of genetic engineering is eliminating genes known to cause cancers and hereditary diseases, “This would allow us to eliminate heartily diseases (sickle anemia, type one diabetes, and so) allowing our children to live a better life” (Caplan). By being able to cut out a certain genes that are connected to cancers and hereditary would lead to lesser amount of people dying and suffering from something that they have no say over. The author Gordon Dillow argues that a possible discoveries would lead to more of a perfect population, “The results of such discoveries could benefit humans immensely, possibly eradicating genetic defects” (Dillow). With many benefits of Genetic Engineering there are still those who oppose to it. But on the other hand, Genetic Engineering can possibly lead “Playing God” to being able to create Humans “designer babies” inevitably going against morals of various societies. “However, many fears that genetic manipulation may lead to unethical abuses--"playing God" with human life or weeding out "bad" genes through eugenics”
Aside from the authority that results from being published in a peer-reviewed journal, Gert writes in a rather serious and academic tone to prevent the reader from taking his words too lightly. By calling attention to the fact that “we do not know that there are no risks,” Gert’s argument transcends all limitations and fosters a creeping feeling of uncertainty and fear. In some aspects, opting to argue the general possibility of negative side effects of genetic engineering rather than naming specific possibilities enhances his argument as the
Designer genetics to create a baby after careful selection is a meme, and “we can say that memes are ‘selfish’, that they ‘do not care’, that they ‘want’ to propagate themselves, and so on, when all we mean is that successful memes are the ones that get copied and spread, while unsuccessful ones do not” (Blackmore 37), and some may consider this genetic modification to be a successful meme which is why parents are so willing to try it. By using technology in this type of way, it may possibly benefit some if it is spread for good causes, such as helping a baby be born without a disease that is known to run in the family so the parents won’t have to see their child go through pain. Many parents put their faith in “23andMe” and their technology because it is their last hope to be able to conceive a child without them having to worry about any debilitating disease or disabilities and since this procedure would be implicated even before the child is developed, there would be no questions of morality. However, some people might take advantage of this new technology and use it for nothing more than creating their fantasy child, as they start to choose non-health related traits such as weight, height, gender and eye color.
Human genetic engineering, what was once considered a futuristic possibility and in the realm of science fiction (Evans 2010) is now becoming a mechanism to alter the genetic characteristics of an individual that will now be passed through the germ line, from one generation to the next. We are essentially changing the genetic makeup of the human species (Evans 2010). With IVF and HGE, is it morally correct to make radical genetic selections and changes that inevitably will influence the lives of future generations? Veatch, Haddad and English (2010) argue that this is the most fundamental issue that faces reproductive technologies, whether or not interfering with ‘the genetic and birth process is ‘playing God’’ in an unacceptable manner. They further state that the rapid developing reproductive technologies have the potential to change the nature of the human species and the process of reproduction (Veatch, Haddad and English, 2010), which can be considered to extend beyond what ‘humans should be permitted to do’.
The Rise of Human Genetic Modification? There are many controversial issues throughout time that have risen and led countries to disagree to with one another worldwide. Eugenics and genetic engineering on humans is a topic that many believe crosses a major ethical boundary. Many scientists and ethicists believe that gene editing on human genes is unethical at certain degrees and it should not be done until the proper precautions have been overlooked and restrictions are made.
Farmers and ranchers have been manipulating genes for plants and animals well before gene sequencing and molecular techniques were practiced. The size of a grapefruit and coloring on cattle may be attributed to the former. With new knowledge about animal and plant genomes, scientists can now delicately screen, edit, and splice genes for varying reasons. This paper intends to explore some of the more common techniques in genetic engineering (prenatal screening, gene manipulation, and cloning) for humans and the ethical issues surrounding them. Genetic technique and screening has entered the medical scene in numerous countries.
Human genetic modification is the manipulation of genes in human DNA so that defective genes don’t obstruct proper functioning, and so that inherited diseases are not passed on. Those against it may argue that genetic modification is simply unnecessary, immoral, or interferes with nature’s course. However, genetic modification overall is and will continue to be beneficial to the mental and physical health of the entire human species. Falling under the umbrella of biology, it is sensible to consider the studying of genes as a significant aspect of the biological sciences because it’s learning how to manipulate them in order to progress preventative medicine and create the possibility of a healthier future. One method of genetic modification
The advancements in technology will only continue to increase allowing a vast variety of options in eugenics. Although religious communities will always debate over the ethics and beliefs with the science of gene therapy—these communities should consider the enhancements of the quality of lives that can be changed with
This essay will look more on the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering has some advantages. Firstly it allows for faster growth rate .Genetic engineering allows of plants or animals to be modified so their maturity can occur at a quicker pace outside of the normal growth conditions that are favourable without genetic changes as well .Secondly, it may also provide a cure for disease to improve health (apecsecadmin, 2014). Genetic engineering can be used to eradicate a number of incurable and deadly disease which could be done by identifying the genes that cause these disease, and manipulate them to prevent people from contracting these potentially deadly diseases.
This procedure’s purpose is to switch out genes for more preferred ones, especially to improve the health of the child. Genetic engineering could permit selection of desired physical and pleasurable traits for non-medical reasons, which has created concern in some people. The process of switching out the genes of a fetus to install genes that are more preferred has brought up debate about whether or not parents should be able to alter their babies genes to make them more appealing to the parents interests. There are many different ways of looking at this procedure and in contrast to other scientific procedures it can be for greater good or for unnecessary enhancement that could potentially create problems in society. Designer babies aren’t morally correct or incorrect, but are in between depending on what it is being used for.
I am not comfortable with the idea of creating designer babies- we do not know what else this could lead to. Knoepfler states, “We should not allow creating genetically modified people,because it 's just too dangerous and too unpredictable.” From the Natural Law perspective, it is interfering with the natural and beautiful process of creating life. It is humans trying to play God.
Fukuyama brings up topics that can be split into two categories: risks and benefits of genetic engineering along with the affordability of genetic engineering. Considering scientists aren’t entirely sure how genes work, they bring about several ills they wouldn’t be aware of, whether they be immediate ills or ills that show up much later (Fukuyama, 678). Genetic Engineering could have horrific effects on a population which could lead to the abandoning of genetic modification, just like in the way that hydroelectricity is no longer used as much because of the potential of dam breaks or environmental effects (Fukuyama, 680). There is also a possibility that only the rich will have access to this technology, so the state would possibly have to intervene to fix this inequality (Fukuyama, 680). Fukuyama concludes his writing by posing the fact that no matter what happens with genetic engineering, genetic engineering will change the course of human history on several levels, and on levels greater than that of any human biotechnology (Fukuyama, 681).
Others believe that this treatment option is just “playing God [and as seen as being] ‘sacrilegious’” (Bose, 2010). Gene therapy is unethical, as it can greatly negatively impact human kind, because it can cause more disorders to arise,
For example scientists are allowed to inject non-human things with human cells to create chimeric like experiments. They are essentially playing god. This is very
Mutation in children is not uncommon and it has caused many children to be robbed of the chances that healthy children are born with. A parent blessed with the gift of a healthy child wouldn’t be able to understand the relief genetic engineering would be able to bring to parents of children born with haemophilia, cystic fibrosis, or muscular dystrophy. Not only would choosing the best traits in an organism be good for humans, but for animals and plants. As previously mentioned, plants would benefit in the sense that they will be able to get immunity to pests and their own types of diseases. Animals would be able to make their prime state by modifying their DNA.
Editing of the human genome in the past has been only a sight seen in dystopia works such as Brave New World. Now, genetic enhancement is a prevalent today and people are beginning to realize the issues that can arise from creating these designer babies. Gene editing can be helpful to eradicate life changing disabilities. Yet, the term disability does not correctly label these differently abled people, as the idea of what is considered disabled has changed overtime. To fully understand the consequences and implications of genetic selection and enhancement of human embryos, society must mature and declare lines of what is and is not ethically moral.