Genetic Engineering Ethics Essay

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.

In the feature broadcast “Genetically Engineering Almost Anything,” the editors, Eleanor Nelson and Tim De Chant, reveal their opinion on genetically engineering genetics in mosquitoes containing Malaria. According to the broadcast, Malaria kills an average of two-hundred thousand humans and sickens over two million people per year. Editors indicate that Africa is the most affected by the disease. The broadcast claims that mosquitos have been studied since the late 1970’s, however, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that there were technological advances in the research of genetic engineered insects. While Mosquitoes are becoming resistant, Evolutionary Biologist are attempting to modify genetics in mosquitoes that contain Malaria,

Genetic engineering has constantly been a major point of focus in the world of science over several years. From 1989 to present day, many people have questioned not only the process, but the motives behind genetic engineering. Over the years, the term “designer baby” has made the transition from movie screens to dictionaries, where it is defined as “a baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes or characteristics.” “Designer baby” is the very term feared by many people for so many years; it’s controversial, it’s unethical, it’s destructive, it’s immoral. Many ideas related to this subject are constantly being challenged.

Eunjung Cha, A. (2017, August 2). First human embryo editing experiment in u.s. ‘corrects’ gene for heart condition. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washintongpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/08/02/firstd-human-embryo-editing-experiment-in-u-s-corrects-gene-for-heart-conditional/?utm_term=.8588b04c1256

DNA stands for deoxy-ribo-nucleic acid or sometimes called a double helix (Stoyles 8). DNA is structured and shaped by the parent’s chromosomes. The DNA made from the parent's chromosomes make a child’s chromosomes. DNA has four bases they are; Adenine, Cytosine, Thymine, and Guanine (Stoyles 8). This order of the bases creates the genetic code. The bases order helps the body know what proteins it needs to make special characteristics for the child. These proteins control and make up cells, muscle movement, and thinking. When a new cell is made a new copy of DNA is formed and this process continues over and over again.

Although Gibbs does not take the initiative to bluntly state that he is against human genetic engineering, he does give a wide array of examples, revealing his stand and making it seem less vague. Most, if not all, of his supporting details and main ideas revolve around ethical issues that go hand in hand with genetic human engineering. One issue, which is unbelievably prevalent arouses in this argument, and of course, it is an economic one, money. Most people earn enough money to support themselves, as well as their dependents, while having a bit left over for savings and entertainment. Even so, the average family may not be able to afford such luxuries, giving the wealthy families’ children an unfair advantage when it comes to education as

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 is the process in which new DNA can be added to an organism in order to alter its genetic makeup . ‘Designer Babies’ is a term developed by journalists to describe children born from genetically modified embryos. These modifications are done through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), a process in which eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory outside the mother’s body. There are only two legal forms of using IVF to select embryos based on genetic makeup, which are gender selection and scanning for any genetic diseases. This is done by screening the embryos, identifying which have a specific gender or gene for the disease, and selecting the most desirable one . However, with the rapidly increasing technology, in the near future it will be possible for parents to modify these embryos and design a baby with their desired eye-colour, hair colour, personality, and everything else about the child. Which raises the question: should genetic engineering be used to create ‘Designer Babies’?

How will the world be if there are no genetic diseases? In this article, Ronald Green explain how the genetic engineering can help the humanity to have better traits. It also talks of how parents can select the genes of their sons, preventing any type of genetic diseases and also making better their abilities. He said that with the genetic engineering we can end with the genes of dyslexia and obesity. It explains how by selecting our genes in our genome we can create better babies, and that means better persons for our society, but a big percent of the society is against this science because they are afraid of the impact that it can have in religion, and in the humanity.

Within the last two decades scientists have developed several new techniques, which manipulate and alter the genes found in the cells of living organisms. This wonder of the century, genetic engineering has turned heredity --the passing of inheritable characteristics from parent to off spring- from a natural, random event into a process that can be artificially controlled and exploited. It has the potential of giving humanity unprecedented power over life itself, and it has thus raised profound questions in such diverse areas as the environment, agriculture, biological warfare, and animal rights. Genetic engineering has clearly become the controversial topic of today and no doubt will extend into future.

Some countries like China have already begun experiments regarding human genetic engineering. Scientists at the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou have already started engineering human embryos to edit the gene that is causing the blood disease known as thalassaemia. As mentioned in the article: “China shocks world by genetically engineering human embryos” published by The Telegraph on Friday the 6th of October 2017 , it states how “critics warned that China was becoming the ‘Wild West’ of genetic research saying it was the first step towards designer children and called for a worldwide ban on the practice.” It further goes on to explain how “It is entirely unnecessary since there are already many ethical ways to avoid thalassaemia. This research is a classic example of scientific careerism - assuring one 's place in the history books even though the research is unnecessary and unethical." And that “It is critical that we avoid a eugenic future in which the rich can buy themselves a baby with built-in genetic advantages.” (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/11558305/China-shocks-world-by-genetically-engineering-human-embryos.html). It is clear that without proper restrictions this technology could get out of hand.

Genetic engineering brings about great and marvelous things, yet it raised many ethical issues. Some encourage research, while others oppose against such a bizarre idea. Their arguments revolve around impacts on the environment, humans, and social values. This paper seeks to give an account of these issues and present a possible moral compromise.

Genetic Engineering is the process of manipulating the genome of an organism such as bacteria, insulin, brown rice and etc using biotechnology. Genetic Engineering is developed to make cell growth faster, increase production, and protect against diseases. An organism that is produced through Genetic Engineering is called Genetically Modified Organism or GMO. The first GMO was a bacterium produced in 1973 in a lab and in 1982 Insulin became the first GMO commercialized product available to the public. In the 21st century, Genetic Engineering is affecting people across the world since most products such as corn, rice, insulin, and animal are genetically modified to produce in larger quantities in a

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the process of manually adding new DNA to an organism. The goal of genetic modification is to add one or more new traits to an organism that are not already found in that specific organism, it can also be used to completely remove them from that organism. Genetic engineering produces a unique set of genes that is not normally found in nature. Scientists use genetic engineering to cure diseases, change specific traits, help humans with their daily lives and many more.