Genetic Manipulation and Bioethics

By Caleb McFelbon

Genetic modification

any alteration of genetic material, as in agriculture, to make them capable of producing new substances or performing new functions; also called genetic engineering, genetic manipulation, gene splicing, [gene technology], & recombinant DNA technology

Why this is Important

Scientist tell us that by changing our DNA, we can cure many diseases “We are promised, however, that these techniques will help in the development of spare human organs. And someday inserting a modified gene into a human egg could reduce susceptibility to diseases such as aids or Alzheimer's” (Of mice...)

However,

THE PURPOSE

If we can make better humans, should we? If we can “make” better humans and animals, will

they become objects to us? What will the off-spring of the genetically

engineered children be like? If genetic engineering becomes common, will

natural humans become second class? The purpose of this podcast it to show the Pro's

and Con's of Genetic manipulation and to promote discussion of the possibilities of genetic science.

Pro's of genetic manipulation

use of the cloning technique may produce scientific and medical benefits (report)

A cure to HIV/AIDS and other currently incurable diseases could be found.

The “perfect”human being could be created

New organs could be grown from other animals, reducing the wait time for organ transplants

Better domestic animals could be raised

But we could go overboard.

Con's of genetic manipuation

We don't know what risks will it pose. Who can know before the actual experiments take place? In the face of uncertainty, who can give informed consent?

Children given modified genes at conception may be born and raised, perhaps reaching adulthood, before the full effects of any alteration or treatment can be known.

Some Benefits will be worse that the problems they are trying to correct

Humans could be engineered, thereby creating a second class citizen.

Some could just go crazy

Hmmmm.... So where is the line?

Biography

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Tzoref, Judah. "Incorporating Responsibility into Science.(CORRESPONDENCE)(Letter to the editor)." Frontier

Perspectives. 11. 2 (Fall 2002): 4(1). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Alabama Virtual

Library Remote Access. 2 May. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?

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&userGroupName=avlr&version=1.0>.

Zweig, Franklin M. "With Reproductive Freedom and Distributive Justice for All.(Review)."

American Scientist. 89. 1 (Jan 2001): 77. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Alabama Virtual Library Remote Access. 2 May. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?

&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=OVRC&docId=A68704435&source=gale&srcprod

=OVRC&userGroupName=avlr&version=1.0>.

"Report on human cloning criticized. (National Bioethics Advisory Commission's report and recommendations)." Issues in Science and

Technology. v14. n1 (Fall 1997): p33(1). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Alabama Virtual Library Remote Access. 2 May. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?

&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=OVRC&docId=A20390797&source=gale&srcprod

=OVRC&userGroupName=avlr&version=1.0>.