Human Genetic Engineering - Research Paper Example

Human Engineering Biomedical engineering is absolutely one of the issues that have triggered hot debate becauseof the ethical and moral aspects linked with it that includes its controversy nature dealing with human nature directly. Critics argue that human engineering may alter human species because of its ability to violate a person’s freewill and eventually the fact that it can make humanity collapse while the proponents believe that it can save human race. According to Hodge, genetic engineering involves altering of genetic material to change trait or characteristics of an organism and can either be positive or negative where negative brings a subject up to par while positive modifies genetic material to bring it beyond normal limitations (171-175). However, it is important to note that amid arguments and hot debate regarding genetic engineering, it is ethical to use technology in particular cases including altering cells and DNA to minimize disease effects and combating other genetic disorders. This article provides argument regarding human genetic engineering. Biotechnology is the utilization of science and biology technology to alter the living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods, services that are innovative and can improve people’s lives (Evans 44-48). It is a technology that uses living organisms to make superior products that meets life’s greatest needs in a careful and regulated way and serving the needs of scientists. It is worth noting that biotechnology has been in existence for quite a long time including preservation of dairy products and beer fermentation and forms a huge part of the daily life but it has now been to humans. According to Evans, biotechnology plays a major role in meeting human’s daily needs through resource efficiency, food security as well as modification of human genes (44-48). Various things including increase in yields characterize biotechnology as well as offering built in protection against insect damage, prevention of soil erosion, and eventually reduce poverty by increasing food security for a growing population (Gyngell 495-503). However, biotechnology has had serious effects on both human and enhanced climatic changes. Genetically modified humans and organisms are technologically altered through the process of modern biotechnology or gene technology. They are developed because they are perceived to super human who are capable of performing many things that cannot be performed by ordinary persons (Evans 52-59). It is important to note that human genetic engineering alters the genes within a cell of a living human where somatic genetic engineering targets the genes in specific organs and tissues while germline genetic engineering targets the genes in the eggs, sperm or early embryo. Gyngell explains that it is unsurprising that the idea of morality and ethics are introduced in the debate over genetic engineering especially considering that scientists are committed in determining the next generation by editing genetics (499-506). It is therefore important to determine whether genetic engineering meets bioethical standards and whether it is moral to alter what nature has created. Looking at some of the advantages of genetic engineering, it is apparent that there are both medical and non-medical genetic engineering (Gyngell 501-508). Medical genetic engineering deals directly with diseases by suppressing the possibility of a genetic disorder transfer to offspring. This is an important area to be considered because of the challenges contributed by the disorders. In this case, human genetic engineering saves human life by reducing disorders or diseases that may attack the body. It is undeniable that this direction of saving human life is ethical and makes a lot of sense. Some diseases such as cancer and Down’s syndrome may be suppressed hence helping the future generation through creation of road map for future chemotherapy to attack cancer tumours (Lewens 499-457). It may be argued that positive germline genetic engineering is morally permissible more so because, when compared to natural evolution, it is superior (Russell 13-21). It is apparent that natural evolution has been is never natural because it is set on different course and may even be described as obsolete in the near future because positive germline genetic engineering has included some unnecessary traits derived from natural evolution. There are traits that give human certain advantages such as promiscuity, good health and strength especially during the pre-historic period but currently, the previous traits are of no use and the most important traits in the modern society are intelligence and ambition (Gyngell 500-505). Main objective of genetic engineering is curing of diseases and this should also be done curiously. Gyngell argues that genetic engineering helps in eliminating those diseases that are life threatening (496-507). It is important to note that gene therapy is always considered as the last resort for serious conditions even though it can as well turn out to be useful. At times human genetic engineering may be focussed on some less life threatening conditions, thus leading to its misuse. There are genes that are essential and play significant role such as those triggering and growing new blood vessels around clogged arteries. However, there are many issues that accompany human genetic engineering such as determining the best method of delivering the gene to the right cells; for instance, many researchers have only utilized crippled forms of viruses that integrates their genes into cell. In this case, some genetically engineered persons may suffer from severe immune reaction because of the technical problems facing gene therapy. Moreover, it should be understood that correcting a gene problem may not prohibit it in human descendants because it only targets existing tissue in existing child or any other person. Gene therapy only affects the existing individuals by alleviating or eliminating symptoms instead of affecting the future generation (Lewens 449-469). Correction for future generation is only possible when gene therapy targets the germ cells and the sperm egg although this approach poses many technical problems in the current world. Making genetic decisions concerning the future generation is of a great challenge because the consent of the generation is never obtained apart from the risk of being negatively affected by the choices made by the engineers (Gyngell 496-506). In addition, the possibility of performing gene therapy in early embryo prior to tissue differentiation may lead to incorporation of the new gene into all tissues despite the fact that it does not alleviate the condition of those suffering from genetic disease. Apart from failure to alleviate genetic conditions, gene therapy in early embryos puts embryos at intolerable threat due to the inherent rate of failure and possible damage to the embryo. Evolution however, does not seem to alter itself or adapt with changing times and it still utilizes the most base of traits for producing offspring making it create a burden to the society if left to prevail (Coker 23-25). It is worth noting that the character type produced from natural evolution cannot suit the temporary environment that has much better opportunities for the future and social betterment. Natural evolution may create favour and rough characters that are overly competitive instead of highly valued character types that are highly compassionate and are full of intelligence, ambition and empathy. Lewens believes that it is undeniable that genetic engineering will take evolution to the next step by producing a much better human through picking and choosing combination of genes to suit a modern person (455-463). Genetic engineering stands a chance of giving generations that have higher chance of success and survival in the modern society. Coker argues that not all traits produced by natural evolution are irrelevant in the modern society because certain traits favoured by natural evolution are still very useful and the only difference is the purpose (23-26). For instance, nowadays is measured in terms of education, wealth and satisfaction but not the number of children as it used to be. It is apparent that traits produced by natural evolution are applied differently because of the new context that has triggered the changes. On the other hand, parents who have chosen to select traits for their children have the ability to lead a homogenous society because they are interested in preventing their children from sticking out (Lewens 460-465). Failure of variance triggered by creation of monotonous world that is very risky especially when a virus attacks; there is possibility that the virus may kill a huge number of similar persons. However, inappropriate application of genetic engineering may hugely threaten the society particularly when humans are made to choose traits for their offspring using the technique (Coker 23-25). Human beings are supposed to be free and independent and that they control themselves with free will and therefore choosing trait of the future generation may make the next generation have an unfair life in the society. Evans argues that it is absolutely unfair and unethical to alter genes of the future generation without their knowledge and making a huge or even little difference in their lives (44-49). Humans do not have control over their genes even without the use of genetic engineering and therefore the only thing that genetic engineering may allow is the ability of the current generation to alter the genes of future generation. Commendable and compassionate use of genetic technology is also characterized by some purposes and malicious aims that is contributed by misuse of genetic engineering. Nevertheless, the moral and ethics that control the current generation must be closely looked at. The morals and ethics of the current generation must be sound because altering the genes by turning to genetic engineering tends to cross the bioethics. Use of genetic engineering may be may be termed as cosmetic surgery as it may be used to satisfy the current generation’s needs of giving their future generation or children optimal traits including expected height, having some specific athletic, or enhancing their intelligence. This kind of genetic engineering is absolutely biased and selfish because it only intends to harm the humanity by promoting a single member of society instead of considering the society as a whole (Lewens 459-472). Although human engineering may produce super human beings and even designer children or generation or bionic athletes, genetic engineering may lead to super-race of humans altered by their parents, things that are not morally or ethically right (Lewens 462-469). It may be right that the super-race have many advantages over the current race because of human genetic engineering but the gene pool would be divided and perhaps hurt the survival of humans because of failure to adopt to inadequate genetic variability (Coker 23-25). Genetic variations are very useful because they help human race to adapt and survive when there is catastrophe but the introduction of genetic human engineering sees widespread gene pool that may not help save genetic variation. According to Lewens, genetic engineering may reduce human to monoculture where all the genes of human are put in a single genetic basket because humans may not be able to cone themselves (460-469). Even though human phenotypes may not be hugely affected by genetic engineering, huge quantity of different types of engineering done to DNA only affects genes that have been expressed externally more so to people who are interested in things such as intellectual enhancement (Coker 23-27). Scientifically, gene pool can only be altered with an intention of eliminating a disease or disorder that may be altering or life threatening. Gyngell explains that there are a number of aspects such as intelligence and personality that serve as an important component that may help in genetic manipulation (502-507). The knowledge of different components that may help in genetic manipulation may reduce the rate of genetic engineering. Moreover, some genes have single effect while others have multiple effects in different tissues. It is important to note that in the future, ethical dilemma and morals may impose a huge challenge in future (Lewens 459-464). Whereas human abilities can be enhanced using genetic engineering, there are many damages that the idea leaves with its victims. Perhaps the intricate machinery that grows daily may help in understanding the future patterns and meet the future demand of survival. Bioethics is indeed very significant as far as genetic engineering is concerned even though the issue has raised very hot debate. There is always the code of ethics for scientists that bind to the agreement to ensure safety, health and welfare of humans while doing only professional services in their work. Genetic engineering is only required to invent, construct and apply genetic engineering effectively while remaining honourably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully (Evans 44-53). Scientists performing genetic engineering must should make sure that they determine the extent to which their action may affect the society negatively to avoid violation of the code of conduct. For instance, creating a designer child through genetic engineering may put upon the child an unfair advantage over other members of the society (Hodge 171-176). Bioengineers are therefore required to observe the code of ethics and help especially in eliminating diseases while avoiding negative consequences. When properly used, genetic engineering may greatly benefit the society. The many benefits derived from genetic engineering are of great help although there are also challenges affecting the application of the concept. Works Cited Coker, Jeffrey Scott. "Crossing the Species Boundary: Genetic Engineering as Conscious Evolution." The Futurist 46.1 (2012): 23-7. ProQuest. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. Evans, John H. Contested Reproduction: Genetic Technologies, Religion, and Public Debate. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010. Internet resource. Gyngell, Chris. "Enhancing the Species: Genetic Engineering Technologies and Human Persistence." Philosophy & Technology 25.4 (2012): 495-512. ProQuest. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. Hodge, R. Genetic engineering: Manipulating the mechanisms of life. New York: Facts on File, 2009. Print. Lewens, Tim. "Human Nature: The very Idea." Philosophy & Technology 25.4 (2012): 459-74. ProQuest. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. Russell, Jesse. Human Genetic Engineering. 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