Gene therapy, a treatment done to cure genetic diseases by introducing new genes to replace mutated ones, is still under development. The effect of the treatment is short-lived as for now. Moreover, the virus used as a vector the deliver the foreign gene may not be silenced completely, causing to multiply and damage the host. Furthermore, there are still a lot of moral issues under debate regarding genetic engineering being done on human. The positive and negative effects of genetic engineering are the subject of Yin Ren’s Designer Babies: The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering.
While the author mainly emphasizes on the pros and cons of designer babies, he also presents genetic doping or improvement of physical ability via genetic modification, and their ultimate effects on the human society in various aspects. In the introduction, Yin Ren briefly mentions about the topics the he is going to deliver. He said that genetic engineering shows potential to cure debilitating diseases, to enhance physical and mental ability, to “design” our babies and even create super human.
However, due to our limited moral understanding regarding the genetic engineering and the problems it poses, there are many arguments between the proponents and opponents. In the opponents’ point of view, genetic engineering will create more problems instead of solving them. Later, Yin Ren provides a little history regarding modern genetic engineering. Since 1970s, successful genetic changes had been done on mice and monkeys. In year 2001, the completion of mapping of over 97% of human genome had given us chances to modify our own genome.
The Term Paper on Genetic Engineering Human Gene
Genetics will increasingly enable health professionals to identify, treat, and prevent the 4, 000 or more genetic diseases and disorders that our species is heir to. Genetics will become central to diagnosis and treatment, especially in testing for predispositions and in therapies. By 2025, there will likely be thousands of diagnostic procedures and treatments for genetic conditions. Genetic ...
In 2003, first case of successful human germ line genetic modification is reported when fertility treatment pioneered by fertility doctor Jacques Cohen produced babies who inherited DNA from two different mothers. Most Americans were shown to oppose the research on human cloning and “super human” due to their fear. The writer then examines the key issues surrounding muscle enhancement. He reports that the traditional methods to cure muscle cells deterioration such as rigorous physical therapy and usage of steroids are not suitable for people of all ages plus they may have some side effects.
Gene therapy that is able to cure muscle loss is welcomed. He provides that research is done on mice such as the introduction of gene that reverses muscle deterioration into mice as well as the creation of “marathon mice”. On the contrary, the therapy accompanies certain risks on human as it is still in early developmental stage. Yin Ren mentions that most of the test subjects die upon receiving the foreign gene. Besides that, some athletes might want to try genetic doping to enhance their body. This devalues fairness, competition and athleticism.
The author compares genetic doping to the widespread use of steroids in doping scandal during Olympics. Next, the writer points out the use of genetic engineering in the customization of babies according to the parents’ will. Currently, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) allows parents to screen and choose specific genes of their children before their birth. Through this test, one can detect the potential genetic predisposition for genetic disease such as Down syndrome and Huntington’s disease.
The family can hereby decide whether to give up the children to prevent any emotional hardships and economic problems many are forced to go through. Yin Ren states that in future, parents can also enhance their children’s physical and mental capabilities via genetic modification to give them extra skills. The writer quoting from Lee Silver, professor of molecular biology and public affairs at Princeton, who called this “no different than giving your child advantages like piano lessons or private school. On the contrary, the writer states that this will cause the child’s freedom of action to be threatened by their parents. This in turn demeans parenthood and individuality. As mentioned by Leon Kass, “to really produce the optimum baby, you’d have to turn procreation into manufacturing, which degrade parenthood. ” Also, Yin Ren says that the effect of adding a gene or trait may cause unknown effects towards individuals and society. As the lifespan of people increases, there will be population crisis, causing several impacts on different countries especially in developing countries.
The Essay on Human Factors Engineering – Geriatrics
Professionals in gerontology and geriatrics estimate that by the middle of the 21st century, more than 60 million of people in the United States will be older than 65. Many of these people will cross the 85-age-line (Schulz, 2007). In this context, old people do not simply live longer, but remain active and productive and strive to preserve their individual independence even in older age. ...
Finally, the author examines the effect of genetic engineering on society. In the article, the supporters of genetic engineering claim that genetic therapy is able to shorten the social gaps between people. This technology will become cheaper. People are able to get better jobs as gene enhancement become more common. However, the opponents oppose with the statement that genetic engineering will increase the class division and also creating a new one. Some individuals will refuse to take the therapy as this is against their beliefs or other personal reasons.
Others fear that it will take a long time before this technology becomes widely available. By then, the gap between those who can afford and those who cannot will only deepens. The author refers to Aldous Huxley’s work Brave New World when predicting the human society that might happen in future. He said that two species of human beings, the ruling “super humans” or the alphas and the inferior ones that lack genetic enhancement. In the conclusion, Yin Ren states that we have to carefully consider the consequences of genetic technology or else we have to face a lot of ethical and moral questions.
This article is an informative article. In the article, the author provides adequate information about the pros and cons of genetic engineering. He does not take sides. As a result, the author does not mention whether genetic engineering should be banned or give any of his opinion. The article is directed towards the general public. The content can be easily understood as the writer do not use many technical terms. In the beginning and the ending of the introduction, the author raises a lot of question in order for the reader to get into the situation.
The Term Paper on Science Fiction Genetic Engineering Of Humans
... super-man. The appearance of genetic engineering technology is actually puts people in ... genetic engineering. Outline: Introduction Genetic engineering in movies Genetic engineering in books and articles Conclusion. ... hostile attitude towards genetic engineering is deeply irrational.Science fiction authors and movie ... Many citizens suggest that genetic engineering of humans cannot be allowed, because ...
For example, “what if, by simply taking a pill containing new hormones, you could possess advanced athletic powers and run like an Olympic athlete? ” (p. 28).
The author wants the reader to think about the benefits that may be brought by genetic engineering as well as the negative effects such as the various ethical problems that are raised in the article. In the article, Yin Ren presents some of his points with facts and reference from reliable sources.
For example, in order to show that most Americans fear and oppose the human cloning research, he presents that “A Time/CNN poll found that over ninety percent of Americans were against creating ‘genetically superior human beings. ’” (p. 29) One notable trend in the article is that the usage prediction in some of the situation described by the author. As the field of genetic engineering is still young, the effects of genetic engineering that is felt now by the people are miniscule if compared to what is going to happen in the future.
However, the author can only predict the outcome of the implementation of genetic engineering via different views of professionals or from their work. This is because some of the technology mentioned in the article has yet to arrive and thus the effects that may be caused by the implementation of such technology. For example, the writer refers to Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World to describe a possible new society consisted of ruling super humans and “inferior” normal human beings. Since there is no solid proof, the information is not accurate.
As a result, the future predicaments foresaw by the writer seems a little bit exaggerated. However, the true purpose of the writer using this writing style in his work is to let the reader to ponder about the various effects that may results from the general implementation of genetic engineering. He wants the let the general public knows that genetic engineering, like most of the modern technology, has both positive and negative effects. Unlike some of the technology created by human, the usage of genetic engineering comes with great responsibility due to the ower of change it accompanies.
The Essay on Genetic Engineering The Final Frontier
In February of 1997 Dolly, the first successful mammalian clone, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. After the extensive news coverage of this momentous event, the study of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA was thrown into the public spotlight. From that day until this peoples, governments and organizations throughout the world have heatedly discussed the issues surrounding genetic modification ...
