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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
You might want to include quotation marks around your definition of genetic engineering and provide the source. See this URL from that uses Random House's dictionary http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0455322.html
You write:
"...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."
Efforts to decide eye color and other features, and even intelligence, have occurred for years, particularly with the inception of the sperm bank. Men "donate" or sell their sperm to a bank. They go through a screening process. Then women visit the banks, peruse a catalog and select sperm based on the characteristics listed next to the specimen number. Of course, this method lacks scientific preciseness. In fact lawsuits have occurred because the child born did not seem to fit the characteristics listed.
Have you ever heard of John Noyes and the Oneida community? He made an effort to control the characteristics of offspring in the community. You may want to check him out.
I like how you opened your essay with a defination of genetic engineering. It helps clear up any misconceptions the reader might have about the essay they are about to read. I also agree with your observation on how genetic engineering would be used more for choosing hair and eye color rather than eliminating disease. Well done!
To theteach:
I hope my essay didn't give the impression that deciding eye color and other features is not yet occuring in society. I simply meant that genetic engineering will become more about deciding what the parents would like their children to look like and less about curing diseases. Thank you for reading and commenting, I haven't heard of John Noyes and the Oneida community, I'll do my research though. Thank you.
To crazycarman:
Thank you for your support and agreement in my arguement. I felt it was necessary to define genetic engineering to give readers a clear idea of what genetic engineering is.
Post a Comment