Human Genetic Engineering and Religious Views - Essay Example

Human Genetic Engineering and Religious Views Genetic engineering, also known as genetic modification, is the first hand orchestrating of an organism’s genome that is performed through biotechnology. The process of genetic engineering include new DNA installed in the host anchor genome by the initial isolating and imitating the genetic material of interest by using molecular cloning practice to kindle a DNA sequence or through synthesizing the DNA and then lodging this structure into the host organism. Furthermore, a nuclease can also be practiced to eliminate genes. Similarly, homologous recombination is applied to manipulate an endogenous gene through gene targeting and can be employed to eradicate exons, expunge or affix a gene or launch point mutations. Likewise, human genetic engineering is been carried out to change physical appearances, metabolism or even enhance mental abilities such as intelligence and memory and refine physical capabilities.   Interestingly, as medical sources have surged deep into this form of human modification, more issues and debate over the authenticity of such an activity is erupting and climbing at a rapid pace. The basic questions that form into people’s mind regarding this subject are that ‘is carrying out genetic engineering a sin?’ or ‘is it unethical or ethical to perform such a task?’ or ‘is this modification a substitute of robbing us of our freedom?’ The main argument concerning human genetic engineering is that it is wrong to modify or manipulate a gene of a fetus, without their agreement. The second issue that parents have the right to remold their unborn child and the third debate is that every child has the right to come into this world without any deadly disease. Moreover, other researches shows that where people are already spending thousands of money and waste their time in enhancing their beauty by plastic surgeries, cosmetic, injections, diet and exercise, it is better that they perform engineering for once, which is less tiring than these daily ventures. Similarly, it is an act of humanity if through genetic engineering a person is freed from fatal illness. Nonetheless, the role of religious belief comes into play at this moment, where people need to make decisions. No matter how highly a person is educated, when debatable issues emerge such as genetic engineering people always refer to their respective religion in order to shape their action.As we prowl through different search engines, we found that there are three major religions that concern themselves with this specific issues and these religion are Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Starting with Christianity, the idea of carrying out genetic engineering in order to save lives or removing a deadly disease is allowed in this religion. However, modifying fetuses or unborn children in order to enhance their physical attribution such as growing height or getting blue or green eyes is not acceptable for Christianity believers. This topic of genetic engineering is a controversial topic in Christianity, because it means intervening in the work of God. Furthermore, Christians against the modification give reasons that modifying is substitute of ‘playing God’, since God has constructed people and have given them life and changing his creation automatically leads to the concept that God’s creation was somehow flawed. Furthermore, Catholics believes that genetic engineering is not acceptable, for it is involved in wastage of human embryos. Hence, this modification goes against one of the Ten Commandments that are ‘thou shall not kill’. However, Liberal Protestants believes that genetic engineering is a good thing because it helps reduces or detaches the diseases and save lives and this believes support the knowledge that Jesus was also a healer and as his followers we should strive to make this world a better place (hubpages.com) Moving next, the Islamic believes is similar to that of Christianity.Like the Christians, Muslims believe that until and unless the act of genetic engineering is a cause of someone’s healthy life and is a reason for saving them from fatal diseases, it is acceptable; however, performing of genetic engineering on a human as a cause of enhancing physical and mental attributes is prohibited (haram).To support the former notion of gene therapy in Muslims, (Surah al-Baqarah 2:195) in Quran states that Islam endorse safe-guarding oh human health, whereas the latter believe can be supported by (Surah al-Isra 17:70) which depicts that God has created man in a prime structure and violation with the man’s primary component or aiming his body for unnecessary genetic engineering would be breaching of man’s God given nobility (oxfordislamicstudies.com). The third religion Judaism also has views similar to Christianity and Islam, on the topic. The believer of this religion claims that use of gene therapy to eradicate disease such as Tay-Sachs, which seems to target some type of Jewish people, is allowed and approved. However, again there is a consensus among some Jews that gene therapy is similar to showing lack of faith in God by altering a part of God’s creation, but some rabbisbelieve that since, this therapy is conducted to heal the people and in general, the world, so to do so is like obeying God and performing you religious duty (Judaism and Genetic Engineering, bbc.co.uk) The aforementioned were views of different religious belief on human genetic engineering, however, this part of the paper will deal with how the historical ideas and practices from the religious tradition contribute to the formation of these believes. As far as Christianity is concerned they, support gene therapy because their religion traditions convey the idea that Christians should find ways and work hard to eradicate diseases from this world as told by Jesus, it also proposed the idea that only heaven is perfect, not the earth. On the other hand, those who rejects the idea of genetic engineering provides the notion of the religion traditions that ‘playing God’ is not allowed, Our complex structure is made by God at the conception of human and NO human being should be allowed to temper it and the believe that killing an embryo is similar to killing a person, which is prohibited by Jesus and the church.All in all, the ideas and teaching of Christianity plays the role of basis for formation and shaping of Christians view regarding the mentioned topic. The Islamic traditions and practices that promote the idea of gene therapy can be extracted from Qur’an, through different Ayahs and surah’s and from Hadiths. For instance (surah al-Zumour 39:9) asserts that Islam is a religion of science and knowledge and there are no restrictions on constructive scientific research. However, other Surah’s in Qur’an explicitly states that useless modification of human body is prohibited, so Muslims who are given the scenario of proceeding with gene therapy first look at the situation, if the alternation of the body is unnecessary than believers do not go forward with the procedures, hence their believe on the issue is formed according to the teachings of the Qur’an. Lastly, the historical idea of conserving the human race and doing better for world in general applies particular to the way a believer forms their view on this issue. For instance, Judaism allows any kind of surgeries to be conducted in order to save the people, hence when the illness of Tay-Sachs emerged; people were ready and accepted the procedure of genetic engineering in order to expunge the illness that takes place within the embryo or the human body, striving to decompose it. Nevertheless, the idea that promotes that the creation of God should not be distorted and that the mankind should not intervene in the matters of God restricts human to use gene therapy the subjects a human body to aimless genetic engineering. In conclusion, I being a Muslim agree with the method of approaching the issue by all the three religions, because their bases are correct and their ideas and views are eligible. As I have personally read Qur’an and have studied along my religion’s teachings on this issue, I have been able to get vast knowledge on the subject. From what I have learned so far, I agree with the Islamic proposal that mankind is one of the superior creations of Allah and that violating this creation for no legitimate purpose is strictly prohibited, until and unless the life of the person in question is in danger. Qur’an and Hadiths have explicitly told the reader that where and in which situation gene therapy is allowed and in which scenario it is strictly restricted. Likewise, I also agree with the projection of Christianity and Judaism view on human genetic engineering, since it is similar to that of Islam andmore or less give similar solution to this issue in different conditions. Both Islam and Christianity claims that killing of human may it be a fetus or embryo is similar to killing of all human kind. Similarly, Judaism, Christianity and Islam forwards the same agenda that useless conducting of genetic engineering is not at all allowed, since it means intervening with the work of God and gene therapy is only allowed if it is used to work as a ‘medicine’ and cure people of deadly diseases, helping them in attaining healthy life. Work Cited Genetic Engineering.(2009). www.bbc.co.uk.com Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam, DarulIftaa. Genetic Engineering.Final Statement & Recommendations of the Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences.(2002). www.oxfordislamicstudies.com Religion: Religious views on Genetic Modification and Engineering. (2010). www.hubpages.com .   Read More