Is genetic engineering ethical?
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I can totally see how this could be frowned upon. I agree that it does take the surprise out of the birth, but, with genetic Engineering delicious cows are breed to be all the same, and I don't here anybody complaining when they are eating a hamburger. I do not condone human genetic engineering however, that is a whole other category in its self.
Posted by: shamabawaGenetic engineering is humanities next step
If genetic engineering where to become reality and the improved humans could if fact have children with the same improvements as the parents then that would mean that the next step in human evolution would have began, as it is that for the species benefit it should find a way to evolve on its own if you are religious, whatever god it is you pray to, gave us the ability to evolve ourselves not to hide in fear but to embrace it and become better which is what any god would want then why not let humanity take the next step. If however you are not religious then it should only be natural to want to become better then we are not perfect but simply better.
Posted by: directorI Support Genetic Engineering But Believe It Needs to be Properly Regulated
Genetic engineering holds many promises for humanity. We may be able to cure many diseases. What would be unethical would be to just leave people ill because we're afraid it's "not natural" to cure them.
Some people are concerned about "designer babies" but as "disease" is truly relative once we find a way to make someone with better traits the lesser traits are by definition "diseases". Not only should this be allowed, but gene therapy in utero should be mandatory and paid for by the government. No parent should get to condemn their child to disease or disability just because they feel the treatments for those things are "unnatural".Posted by: MasturDbtorI support genetic engineering because it is the result and manifestation of human evolution; no exploration should be limited.
Genetic engineering has the potential to solve many problems in the human world. Like anything else, it can and may even be abused, but it is the abuse of genetic engineering that is unethical, not the act itself. For instance, plastic surgery gives humans the ability to change their appearance. It has many benefits, such as helping a disfigured child feel and look normal. However, it has the potential to be abused, and it is being abused as we speak. This does not mean that plastic surgery itself is unethical. I view genetic engineering in the same light.
Posted by: ToothsomeLaneIVF: Equality for all prospective parents and medical advances for fighting illness.
Advances in genetic engineering have enabled many people with infertility problems to start a family. In my eyes, every person should be able to have children if they want to, therefore IVF has played a great part in making this possible. With the laws in the UK surrounding stem cell research, and only allowing taking stem cells from embryos up to 14 days old, I feel this makes the research ethical. This along with advances in medicine, fighting illness & disease is great for the society. Over time, we could possibly develop in terms of fighting illnesses such as cancer, which a lot of the time can be carried through genes.
Posted by: AnonymousGreen light for genetic engineering.
I shall try to be as brief as possible. First off how many people can claim to have never eaten some sort of genetically modified food in their life? I know it may not seem relevant but if you eat a burger, it is highly possible that cow the beef was made from had been genetically modified by the breeders. They do not do this by splicing up thousands of little chunks of science but instead they selectively breed the cows for their genes. This may not seem relevant but in both cases they are trying to isolate specific genes to breed. Although the farmers methods take many seasons longer that making an artificial cell in a lab they are essentially the same, only on different scales. So after all of this I ask everybody the same question. Have you ever eaten genetically modified food? I recommend that before you eat your burgers next time to have a think about what I have said and if it is fine to eat this food then why are we arguing for it to stop. Thank you for you time.
Posted by: AnonymousIt can save lives
Genetic engineering is an amazing discovery in the biological field with the ability to grow organs therefore saving lives and also giving the ability to help infertile couple have children through IVF. Sure, clones could create problems but there are problems with everything that comes to light so my opinion is that genetic engineering is a good thing.
Posted by: AnonymousI accept all forms of genetic engineering
Genetic engineering for animals improves the farming industry, it gives us more good food and it lowers the chances of disease in the cattle. Genetic engineering in humans improve humans in general, decreases chances of genetic disease and can make the next generations far more elite than us if we can pick and choose characteristics. Any experiments on humans or animals that fail should just be accepted. Tough. Any subjects (human) that volunteered came in to testing knowing what could happen. And any animal subjects are just that, they are just animals so they don't really matter. Genetic engineering is improving our scientific understanding, it should be pursued. Personally, as far as I'm concerned as long as it is moving forward.
Posted by: KyoshuYou blasted liberals!
I am sure that the opposing, other than the vegetarians and lunatics, will agree that our practice of breeding animals to bring out their better traits is ethical. So I entirely fail to see how doing this, but on a more efficient and less painful scale can be considered unethical.
A common argument is that it is dangerous- although this is true, cars cause thousands of deaths every year. Does this mean they should never have been invented?Posted by: AnonymousI believe genetic engineering is ethical because a scientific process in an of itself is beyond ethical questions.
Genetic engineering, as a scientific process, cannot be considered unethical any more than in vitro fertilization or pasteurization. I will concede, however, that the uses to which genetic engineering may be put are 'up for grabs' ethically. Human frailty is certainly subject to ethical questions. But as a purely scientific process, genetic engineering is not.
Posted by: BrownDustin82Yes in some cases.
Genetic engineering is ethical in some cases. Cloning, as far as we can see is unethical (what purpose can it serve?) Modifying food should be OK, as long as they are proven safe for consumption. Gene altering to cure genetic disorders is ethical considering we are helping a human nature. For those saying we are not God, as long as we aren't causing any harm to anyone or anything, why would God have a problem with that?
Posted by: AnonymousGenetic engineering can create a better world.
Genetically altered organisms such as plants or animals can make the world safer, increase productivity, and solve environmental issues. Plants could suck the contaminants out of our groundwater and clean up the pollution. Animals could produce human proteins and qualities that can be transplanted to those in need. Genetic engineering is well worth the effort and experimentation.
Posted by: AnonymousI agree because..
I agree with some of genetic engineering being ethical, but birth should be natural and normal, there is no need to change things up. The child turns out great if the birth is natural, drugs that they insert won't help. It's crazy, and inhumane, it's just a state of mind.
Posted by: Anonymousit is ethical
This is because genetic engineering could change human life entirely. By using genetic engineering we can enhance human's capabilities. Genetic engineering could make human immune system capable of resisting multiple types of viruses and diseases. As we all know, human immune system can be categorized into three stages. 1st line, 2nd line and third line of defence. These lines of defences are essential for humans. But these lines of defenses will be destroyed by the HIV virus. HIV virus attacks helper t cells in human body which could make easier for the disease to spread. Genetic engineering could enhance the third line of defence, which is our immune system. So then, in future human could resist such fatal diseases
Posted by: AnonymousCan be used for good, if we so choose
The truth is, we have it pretty good, we don't have to worry about if our harvest is going to be a good one, our survival depends on it. However, for some people this is the case. What i had in mind is, if this project was to be capitalized upon there would have to be a representative don't committee for the people and the scientist, in this committee there could be open discussions and hopefully some guidelines and progress could be made. I think we should limit ourselves as a race for the needs of the few who are scared of it. I say embrace it, but that we should proceed with caution.
Posted by: AnonymousIt CAN be used for good
I agree that that the process of birth should stay natural. But so many people struggle with the issue of conception and I don't think it's right to crush their dreams of a baby that is there own. Also if some things lead to another we could end up making clones, clones in my opinion are wrong because that clone is a person and no matter where they are in the world, they would get teased. I think that procedures such as IVF are fine but that is where it needs to stop.
Have a nice day :)Posted by: AnonymousYes it is it gives a known result
You know what to expect and gives doctors the result they are prepared for when the birth occurs. Too many times when a birth happens and some unknown or rare disease happen they are unprepared to care for the new born and it dies. With genetic engineering the answers are there.
Posted by: kehrelukI agree because.
Everyone should have the right to do what they want to do as long as it does not hurt others.
As long as genetic engineering is not forced upon people, and is said to be genetically modified on food, they should be able to do what they want to themselves.
It should be allowed to use genetic engineering on babies because the parents can be trusted to make decisions that would be best for the children, and by taking that right away you are forcing your morals on others, which impedes on their freedom. Forcing your opinions on others is wrong, because you wouldn't want people to force their beliefs, opinions, or medicine on you.Posted by: Anonymous
Definitely not. it only benefits few wealthy companies and ruins the world.
Let's talk about food. The Monsanto company (for example) is not looking to benefit us. They are only digging in our wallets by patenting their gmo crops. Remember the incident where their seeds blew into other farmer's crops and contaminated them? Those innocent people were forced to destroy their hard-earned seeds because they supposedly belonged to Monsanto. They are also looking at "terminato?" Crops where the seeds they produce will be infertile (so seeds would have to be bought by the company every single year). Now imagine that spreading and contaminating our crops. So many more reasons why gmo is bad but not enough space.
Posted by: AnonymousGenetic Engineering is not ethical
Genetic Engineering does not seem ethical or natural. Fixing the DNA for something for our benefit is not right. We may be benefiting from the modified genes, but it is not natural and is fixed. With genetic manipulation, there will be an imbalance in nature. For an example, if we were to genetically manipulate humans so that they are resistant to diseases, it could off set nature. Diseases are meant to control the population, so that the human race does not grow too much and use up all of earth’s resources. Even if a human is genetically modified, it does not mean that they are perfect. By definition, perfect means that the human will have no flaws and will have the required elements or characteristics. But if the genetic manipulation changes all of these things to make a “perfect human”, than that person no longer has their own identity. Also, we will never be able to live forever and will only live for a certain number of years, since our body will break down and die. Even with genes fixed, it seems impossible.
Posted by: AnonymousIt counteracts God's way of giving surprises to parents.
In the old days, parents would wait to see and check what gender their baby is going to be. However, in today's era, people already know beforehand through ultrasound and whatnot. In addition, people have even discovered means of literally "creating" a child! They can choose what their baby is going to look like; that would diminish the feeling of surprise and joy, especially to the mother, when they see their baby come out and into this world.
Posted by: barbie012I do not think genetic engineering is ethical, because it is not natural.
I think genetic engineering is taking medical and scientific advancements too far. I am not against chemical medications and cures for diseases, but I do not think that parents should be able to genetically engineer DNA to make sure they get the exact baby that they want. Some things need to stay natural, and I think giving birth is one of those things.
Posted by: BashfulEmil60Genetic engineering
Genetic Engineering is not ethical, it is a fixed process, birth should stay natural. Often genetic engineering leads to hybrids, an un-natural species which cannot breed itself. As well as it being un-natural, it can easily go wrong. We do not have the equipment for this to be successful everytime.
Posted by: AnonymousWe should create a stronger economy first.
Disease and defects are natures way of controlling the population. Whilst the advancements in technology are amazing and admirable, not enough is being done to support an increasingly aging population. It makes far better sense to invest the extensive amounts of money into developing a way of supporting the lives that can be saved in poverty stricken countries and even well-developed countries who have made no provisions to support the elderly, then with a more stable and self-sufficient economy, go about saving the lives. Far more thought needs to be put into the consequences of these amazing medical advancements.
Posted by: AnonymousGenetic engineering is tampering with the laws of nature.
Genetic engineering interferes with the laws of nature. The idea of playing god is very bad and completely unethical. Genetic engineering is inherently hazardous. It depends on designing artificial vectors to cross all species barriers, greatly increasing the potential for generating new viral and bacterial pathogens by horizontal gene transfer and recombination.
Posted by: AnonymousUnknown consequences of genetic engineering exist.
An important thing that happened in 1999 was that a series of surprising experiments were released in Britain—experiments that the industry had spent six months trying to suppress. They showed that laboratory rats that were fed genetically engineered potatoes had severe problems with their digestive tracts, immune responses, and the development of nearly all their vital organs. Their brains, hearts, livers, spleens, etc. were all significantly reduced in size, and many of the endocrine glands were enlarged. Some of this data was published in the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet, but the lead scientist was fired and the research was never finished. The suggestion is that much more extreme health effects are possible, but the industry has a huge vested interest in seeing to it that we don’t ever know for sure.
Posted by: AnonymousGenetic Engineering
Parents should not want to genetically engineer their babies, it is wrong on so many levels. They should love their kids the way they are and stop trying to change them to make them "perfect", and with genetic engineering comes many possible birth defects so they really shouldn't do that to their babies.
Posted by: AnonymousSociety has already screwed up our view of the average person
Our society has also been in controversy about cloning humans, and like genetic modification, we have already done it to animals. Some believe that clones aren’t real beings and that they’re “monsters” of science. The same thing could happen if we modify humans. They won’t be absolutely natural and if they change characteristics of people, we’d lose our sense of culture. The media has already skewed societies’ view of that the “average person” should look like and determines the next newest fashions. How would you feel if you were told your child was ugly just because he didn’t have blonde hair? Would it seem right if parents had children that didn’t even look like them? If we allow genetic engineering to humans, our view of the designer child will be changed greatly. Now everyone wants their child to have blue eyes, or to be super smart, or to look like their favorite movie star. This would be completely wrong, making children seem like toys only for entertainment. Changing the natural development of another person for your own benefit is such a selfish and devious act.
Posted by: AnonymousNo it all comes down to religious beliefs.
If one believes in destiny than they would accept that disease cannot be avoided by the human process of genetic modification, what I mean is that if one believes in destiny, they would also understand that no matter what procedures and/or methods are taken or carried out, one will be exposed to a disease if it is their destiny. It would also be better to allow natural breeding determine the identity of one so that our society can be diverse eliminating aspects of a boring world. We can look at the movie Gattaca and make a quick generalization that perfection is not always the key. Happiness cannot always be sought out by physical aspects but by spiritual aspects. At the end of the day, one can have health, wealth, fame, fortune and still not be happy(and we can only look at so many people who have the same situation).While this is so true, there are people that almost seem to have nothing but have the greatest gifts, Spiritual aspects , that allow them to keep going. What I can conclude is that if happiness is what people are trying to achieve then maybe they can find better solutions to achieve it. I don't believe that gene modification will do much to eliminate what people may perceive as limitations.
Posted by: AnonymousNot for Humans
Similar to adopted offspring and donor-conceived adults, engineered children will grow to profess profound losses of genetic identity, and politically demand full discloser of conception. Furthermore, as increasingly the donor-conceived are insisting on their birthrights and accessing donor identity, even describing themselves as genetic orphans; it would not be surprising for the genetically engineered to view themselves as modern Frankenstein monsters and likewise be very angry.
Posted by: PETERFRANGenetic engineering shouldn't exist
I disagree with the fact that genetic engineering is ethical because there is nothing in it that serves people in a very good way. Sure we can cure diseases and people, but if you think about it, overpopulation is a new key factor. Yeah sure we can spend money in genetically engineering people, but we'll spend more trying to help the environment.... Another key reason is that people won't be natural and the way they're supposed to be. Changing DNA/genes will result in a worse factor later on because people will have been modifyed and then all this modification will be passed on to their children and then people will get mutated eventually. Have fun fixing mutations. Discrimination will happen because it'll be a new fad, and whomever can't afford it will be made fun of. That sort of makes it sound like racism. Either way, there is no good to genetic engineering.
Posted by: AnonymousIts useless, and unnatural
Human engineering is an unusual and unnatural practice, it affects the balance of nature and the whole world, think about this... Clones are exactly the same as you so they feed, they have disposals and have needs, isn't the world overpopulated enough, imagine, just imagine. Even if only the rich people had a clone it would still be double contamination and double waste... Human cloning brings a certain unbalance to mother earth
Posted by: AnonymousIt ruins the way of nature...
It messes with the way nature does things. Genetic engineering is another step towards giving humans everything they want. If you already have everything you want, what more is there to live for? If you "create" a child exactly how you want by genetic engineering, you will always know that it is fake and not natural. If you are talking about making clones for good, just know that it will go bad. The only possible way to make sure it doesn't go bad is to keep it in the hands of the government. If you say that it should not be used on humans but on animals it is okay, just saying that makes it unethical.
Posted by: AnonymousGene modification is not ethical!
Today I am here not only brighten your view of this topic but to expose you to a different perspective. Gene modification is highly unethical to the environment and to our society today. It brings me great sadness to see that people debate about this topic since it seems clear to me that the knowledge given to us from God should be used to address the purpose of life, rather than perfecting the physical state of society. No human can ever be flawless that's just something we have to learn to accept. Our life expectancy cannot exceed a certain number of years. We should rely on God's will.
Posted by: AnonymousGenetic Engineering
I think that genetic engineering should not be legal. I think that parents should not want to change their kids to make them as they like to call them "perfect". One of the main reasons it should not be legal is because there are a lot of birth defects that go with genetically engineering their babies so they should not want that for their children.
Posted by: Anonymous