Human Genetic Engineering - Is It Ethical?

      Genetic technology has been making major advancements over the past decade. Parents may soon be able to genetically modify the traits of their unborn children (Parry, 2013). This would give parents the ability to make their children tall and intelligent, etc. and also check for diseases or deficiencies. People are divided over the ethical grounds of human genetic engineering, and many of us feel that some of the experiments being done are not right, that we are crossing a morally dangerous line. What exactly is human genetic engineering? As the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals put it:
“HGM is a process by which scientists and medical professionals alter the genetic makeup, or DNA, in a living human cell. Ideally, HGM would be used to fix defective genes that cause diseases and other genetic complications” (Clapper, 2013).

      HGM could be used to help fix genes that cause diseases and complications. Scientists have experimented with somatic and germline applications to alter the genes of living cells by inserting a new gene into a virus-like organism. This organism then enters the cells and inserts the new gene into the genome. Somatic engineering treats organs or tissues with an existing condition, whereas germline engineering can genetically modify the sperm and eggs, and embryos in its earliest stages. Germline engineering can replace deficient DNA, but it can also make genetic changes, such as height and intelligence; making permanent changes in the embryo that even affect this being’s future offspring. Man now has the ability to play God by creating ‘designer babies’ – it is sort of like going to McDonalds and “having it your way”. And then there is cloning. There are different methods of cloning, including: DNA cloning, reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning – also known as embryo cloning.

      Experts in the HGE field gathered together back in February to discuss whether or not HGE should be banned in the United States. Those in favor of the human genetic engineering argued that it would help parents ensure that their children would have a healthy life. Those who were opposed are sticking up for the sanctity of life and protection for the unborn – that such testing is unethical. The subject brings up horrible memories of Hitler and the way many innocent people were used as experiments and killed in the Nazi concentration camps. It is possible that such experimentation, known as eugenics, would follow HGE legalization and acceptance in the United States. One of the experts present who opposes it, Sheldon Krimsky, stated that the hundreds of thousands of failed specimens of tested animals and crops are thrown away like garbage. This is not good. Allowing HGE on human embryos would further cheapen the value of life and would have devastating moral consequences on our society – these scientists are tampering with nature!




References:
Clapper, R. (2013, April 09). Human genetic engineering: A very brief introduction. Retrieved from redOrbit: http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112819269/human-genetic-engineering-a-very-brief-introduction/
Parry, W. (2013, February 18). Designing life: should babies be genetically engineered? Retrieved from Live Science: http://www.livescience.com/27206-genetic-engineering-babies-debate.html