Response to genetic engineering

Genetic engineering is defined as the development and application of scientific methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population; and has been the subject of much debate for years. There is no question that genetic engineering has it's positive aspects. It gives scientists knowlegde of genetic mechinism, which leads to their ability to correct inherited genetic defects causing diseases, produce vaccines against diseases and other pharmaceuticals. While genetic engineering has proved to be useful, there are still concerns of the morality of genetic engineering as well as risks.

Meddling with nature, is the primary concern in the debate against genetic engineering. Genes can normally be exchanged between different species, but the frequency of these natural transfers is limited by their immune systems, because the immune system serves to prevent invasion by harmful foreign genes, viruses, and other substances. Genetic engineering, therefore, may weaken the immune system not to mention cause new resistance to antibiotics, in the end disrupting the evolutionary process of natural selection.

And then lies the issue of test tube babies. Many will argue, "who are we to interfere with a childless couple and their chance at having a child." Yet controversy remains. Questions rise: is the embryo considered a human being, or property, how many embryos should be allowed to a woman, what should be done with the remaining? No one has the right to tell a woman she may not have a child, however advances in the feild of genetic engineering will soon lead to couples deciding their child's eye color, gender, even the child's orientation. Allowing this could ultimately lead to a society resembling that of GATTACA, where genetic discrimitation is the norm.

Than comes the example of Brave New World, where genetic engineering is taken one step further than GATTACA. True that Brave New World, is an exaggeration of would come evolve from genetic engineering gone wrong, but society is known for looking for convenience. People may not be using genetic engineering to build a perfect human being, but if allowed genetic engineering will be used less for science and medicine and more for a parent picking what color hair they would like their child to have.