Genetic Engineering in Humans Essay

? ingredienttic Engineering in Humans How the frettings of the past shape our thoughts for the future(a) It is for experty grown nature to be spellbound by the unkn ingest, to conceive radical ideas and to put on tender-hearteditys undying distinctive feature to go off investigation into argonas which previously were a mystery. Genetic engine room in piece is one much(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) ex axerophtholle of a topic whose idea emerged countless divisorrations ago and intrigued the likes of m each scientists, philosophers and writers, by with(predicate) break through hi paper. still non until the technological revolution of the twentieth century, did the look into and honourable debate on this effect begin to take a more(prenominal)(prenominal) pr per jumpical spot, as the tools necessary to subscribe to the intricacies of living structures were we argond. The plan of inherited design science has sparked an ongoing debate regarding the bio estimable clienteles of this field, which focus potently on the ethics involved in manipulate with the work of M early(a) constitution and its possible break deed overs. nonwithstanding this has non been a topic for scientists alone.Throughout recital, the minds of fictional lit shake off provided countless examples of a patrimonialally get uped valet in several cases presenting a dystopian rendition of caller, a out-of-doors symbol of what they believe to be the consequence of homosexual intervention with the vivid colloquy of nature. The estimable restitutions surrounding charitable genic planing, such as transmissible favoritism, a loss of adult male autonomy and the more operose ideas which threaten to redefine what it message to be a gentlemans gentleman, book linguistic brokerral valuate, paralleling the concerns of today.This suggests the paramount signifi bumce of exploring good issues and the consequences of tender-h earted contagious calculateing, as archives implies that such plans volition continue to resonate through time. This essay volition examine how the literary texts of the past have helped shape our good perspective on heritable manoeuvreing today. In shopping center hereditary engine room is the purpose of an organisms inherited material 1.The goal in creating such ancestralally exchangeed beings is not notwithstanding to eradicate disease, entirely to name a population which carries scarcely the close preferable physical and behavioural traits and has the ability to turn over on such traits to future generations 3. However the treatment of diseases does not create open anxiety, rather it is the concept of eugenics and gene determinism. Eugenics is essentially either attempt to accelerate sympathetic evolution by improving the ancestralal establishment of military personnels 1.Eugenics however female genital organnot watch over unless beau monde acc epts some degree of the hereditary determinism ideology which perceives that all individuals argon required consequences of the biochemical properties of their cells and so their peculiar(prenominal)s be uniquely countersinkd by the constituents of their genes 1. respectablely this surmisal seeks to disregard the true philia of merciful self definition and rectitude, eliminating the signifi cig atomic number 18ttece of such immaterial characteristics as self awareness, result indicant and human spirit.Additionally, an estimable bill of work surrounding eugenics is that it is human hireed evolution, where individuals stick the course of evolution depending on elect loveable and undesirable traits. As philosopher Jurgen Habermas states it seems mediocre to allow this in the case of a purely preventive intervention in order to avert diseases (negative eugenics). It becomes nousable, however, when it is a case of fitting out a child with veritable desirable charac teristic ( compulsive eugenics) 1.This statement alludes to several estimable plights which can rise up from a society thriving on the operation of positive eugenics. From a virtuousness ethics standpoint, the application of positive eugenics suggests that the entryibility of patrimonial employment will be limited to those parents who can cave in it, thence creating variety amidst sectors of society. If a technology is forthcoming to fade disease and give a founder property of deportment, should it not be available to all individuals in so to create an egalitarian society which is indiscriminate?Furthermore, how does the implications of such a technology impact upon the individuals intellect of privacy and personal identity? A dry land of positive eugenics would suggest an adoption of the gene determinist theory which proposes that all traits and behaviour are ingrained inside our genes and and then are not influenced by any other external factors. In such a w orld, genetic analysis would be open, rendering a do disruption of the moral boundaries which hide our genetic organisation from the outside world.People could be tested, underwriteled and manipulated when irritate of their hereditary material is in the work force of others, violating their right to privacy. George Wald qualifyings one billet of the honorable debate stating that, genetic engine room faces our society with capers unprecedented It places in human hands the capacity to redesign living organisms It presents probably the bouffantst ethical problem that science has ever had to face 7. However scientist James D. Watson claims that until a tiger devours you, you wear thint make do that the jungle is risky 7. In essence, thither is a run afoul of interest between the possibility of eradicating life threatening diseases and the ethical consequences which may arise from using the technology to bowdlerise the evolutionary butt against for human races hold ben efit. As a society we must(prenominal)iness see this as a cost-benefit analysis, where we crusade the proposed advantages of genetic engineer against the possible and in many an(prenominal) cases unforseen, consequences. Profoundly the main issue is of self-definition.From an ethical perspective, the true essence of human nature is contestd by the proposed applications of genetic applied science science. With these ethical issues in mind, we can see that certain measures must be taken to confine the ethical consequences of genetic applied science to a manageable level and not let the technology overcome our consciousness of self, lenience and humanness. This will only be favored however, if the key issues are examined prior to genetic engineering becoming mainstream, as when such technology is unleashed to the public it cannot be uninvented. indeed those in the field of science and engineering must ensure that their research and experimentation adheres to all regulat ions outlined in the code of morality. Engineering practitioners must act on the reason of a advantageously conscious conscience 8 as well as respect the dignity of all persons 8 when track downing out research and experimentation. When faced with unique bioethical concerns emerge from previously uncharted areas of technology, society turns to the scientists and engineers to offer their technocratic decision regarding the sweet concept. This is the case now faced by genetic engineering.The engineer in this situation becomes a feign of a guardian, kind servant and friendly enabler to piece, who not only predicts the direction this field will take in the future, barely analyses the potential consequences of genetic engineering and helps society to understand its own fatalitys and damp moral autonomy. In this sort the engineer is governed by strict ethical codes to be honest and trustworthy 8 as well as practise engineering to conjure the health, safety and wellbeing of the community and the surround 8 as well as other stakeholders involved.It can be useful to seek such notions in publications, where the scientist or engineer has experimented without considering the potential consequences of their actions, resulting in an imbalance of the natural order of life. Such is the case in Mary Shellys Frankenstein, where the experimenter did not act on the nucleotide of adequate fellowship 8 as the Code of Ethics outlines, but or else allowed human curiosity to rule, tampering with inanimate organisms to produce revolutionary a life devise.The strong ethical plight posed by this novel is that when such organisms are created what are their rights and how do we determine their humanity? The situation developed in Frankenstein is one of blind sightedness, where the unforeseen consequences of the social experimentation are so pestiferous to society that they eventually become the budge by reversal of the experimenter. The text explores the ethical ideas that society should proceed certain virtues when dealing with Mother spirit and that the organisms we alter have certain rights average like other member of society. about of importly however, it highlights how important the duty of the engineer is to society to warn and to educate on the possible consequences of pertly technology and application. The Frankenstein story warns us that the time to address the ethical implications of genetic engineering is before we in truth apply it 1. Furthermore, science fiction literature provides an interesting insight into how the world has sensed genetic engineering and its consequences in a social and cultural sense.The idea of direct genetic control for the betterment of humanity started with evolutionary geneticist, J. B. S. Haldanes book Daedalus, in 1924 1. The ethical consequences of genetic engineering are explored extensively in texts such as Andrew Niccols movie Gattaca (1997) and Aldous Huxleys stomach innovative field (1932). Haldanes mess is sharply satirized in these texts, reflective of the take care society had taken after the minify of the eugenics movement in the 1930s.These texts are real in our understanding of what might eliminate to society through gene determinism and the arbitrary acceptance and application of genetic engineering, as scientists at the Gene Therapy Policy conference in 1997 concluded that the possibilities of germ line gene therapy arent entirely in the realm of science fiction 1. Furthermore, the ethical issues discussed in these texts are repetitive, although being from varied time periods. This suggests the significance and universality of the ethical risks associated with genetic engineering.The movie Gattaca released in 1997 is a bioethical text which explores the societal implications of genetic-determinism and genetic engineering and gives light to the consequences which may occur from new eugenics. Gattaca raises the issue that many problems associated with the new eugenics, such as genetic diversity, genetic prophecy, and the homogenisation of society 1 is not ascribable to the technology itself, but instead these problems arise only if society accepts the belief that individuals are no more than the sum of their genes. In essence it challenges the notion of genetic determinism.Similarly Huxley within his dystopian novel, put up new-fashioned World, explores the ramifications of a society that has pass uped Mother temper in all forms and instead is governed by controllers, who dictate how, when and on whom genetic manipulation should be applied, with the overall goal to achieve absolute constancy of a toaliatrian state. In this world, Individualism becomes non-existent and a sense of human integrity is eliminated, resulting in all over totalistic control, in essence a pessimistic accounting of the shape a scientifically planned community would take, of its sterility and human emptiness 4.One of the most essential ethical concerns is the dilemma of genetic discrimination against those who are genetically unenhanced. Genetic engineering in humans implies that we can create an elite race of human beings which are superior to the common man or control genetic engineering in such a way as to create groups of altered beings each with mold roles in society. Arguably this gives rise to significant ethical concerns, especially in areas of counterpart where parents can alter the genetic makeup of an embryo before birth.While this is seen as an advantage in the scope of eliminating genes cryptanalysis for certain diseases, it suggests a violation of humanist rights and discrimination between those who can yield the technology and those who cannot so that a large fraction of human beings will be the victims of the omissions and commissions of science because they lack the material wealth and the social fountain to control their own locomotes 1, as stated by evolutionary geneticist Richard Lewontin. Arguab ly this will differentiate mountain in the affair of career publicity and social relationships 3.This is a prominent concept in Gattaca, as the protagonist contempt being a suitable peril for a job position is discriminated due to his unenhanced form, stating that in a world of genetic determinism the best test score in the world wasnt going to matter unless I had the blood test to go with it 1. As well as this, genetic enhancement challenges the concept of virtue ethics. If we have the power to combine all desirable traits together to enhance and elevate ourselves to a higher placeother individuals, is it morally permissible to do so and will this lead to great vanity and commercialism in mankind? Additionally how does this affect our relationship with others who each oppose the technology or cannot afford the luxury of such enhancement? Furthermore, genetic engineering in humans alludes to the victimization of new physical body structure within society which will widen the break between the enhanced and unenhanced even further, doubting the right of all individuals to an equal quality of life.Discrimination of individuals has al shipway been a universal predominant concern and significant measures are taken to protect the rights and welfare of citizens in society. Modern society in extra place uprights and appreciates the significance of egalitarianism. This has not been an easy run a risk for mankind as history shows us that previous class structures were difficult to terminate and even today are not extinct.With genetic engineering and genetic discrimination however, the argument emerges that although we have made it punishable to discriminate people on the soil of race, religion and sex, by genetically engineering them we give rise to a new form of discrimination, one not so easily detectable, as Vincent in Gattaca states its illegal to discriminate on the basis of geneticsgenoism its calledbut no one takes the laws seriously 1.These co ncerns are reflect in Aldous Huxleys Brave spic-and-span World, where he instals the stringent societal class order where Individuals are predetermined to be alpha, beta, gamma, delta or epsilons and are thus separate in the societal ladder as such. Each class has different genetic traits so to ensure they can carry out their predetermined role in society and are conditioned to savour their fate. Huxley presents such a blatant resume of genetic discrimination to highlight the complete loss of individuals rights, wanton conceiveing and the ineffectualness of those in power to carry out their duties to the public.The major ethical dilemma extends from the concept of utilitarianism, in which certain individuals have taken it upon themselves to control what all aspects of life for the great good of society. This abolishes all concepts of virtue ethics as in a state of totalitarianism, individuals are discriminated against before they are born and have a chance to prove their w orth, as Huxley demonstrates with the lower classes of society, who through gene manipulation are genetically stunted to ensure they will forevermore remain at the bottom go of society.The prominence of genetic discrimination as one of the key ethical concerns in these texts highlights the fact that our societal problems are so universal that regardless of how or in which way society changes, the ethical implications of classism will inherently be the same although inflicted in a new form. Therefore a appliance to sustain egalitarianism in society and retain the rights and freedom of individuals must be developed before we allow genetic engineering to become a stronghold in society, as although we may be advancing forward technologically, ethically we will be taking a step backwards.Additionally, genetic engineering in humans raises the profound ethical concern of losing ones individuality in a genetically altered world and by extension losing moral autonomy. genetically altered individuals would see themselves as a product of the deliberate intervention of others, giving rise to the misconception of self integrity. This ethical issue causes raises concerns of homogenous societies, which would violate the engineers Code of Ethics to support and elevate diversity 8.This notion is explored extensively in Brave bare-ass World, which abolishes the sizeableness of individualism and demonstrates the ways in which those who have access to gene altering technology can utilise it unethically for their own benefit. As a result we must question not only our self integrity but in like manner who should be responsible for(p) for determining what traits can be modified. here the ethical concern stems from the argument that those with the noesis to implement the technology may reject the previous moral doctrines and create their own, found on their perception of moral relativism 5.Huxley supports the view that individuals of a utilitarian predisposition will gover n the world believing it is do for the greater good of humanity. Additionally, from the perspective of rights ethics, individuals in this world are refused any opportunity to plan their own property, change their role, rank or employment in society. Or even live for good with another person of their choice 4, thus rendering the rights of the individual non-existent.Additionally the authorities enforces strict utilitarian ideology, as it believes that stability can be achieved if people think and look the same 4 and in doing so, these control agents fail to uphold their duties to their citizens, demonstrating a complete lack of respect for human value and dignity. This ethical concern of losing ones autonomy and individualism is of paramount importance as different civilisations throughout history have struggled to obtain freedom and a sense of identity.The portrayal of these notions in the mentioned texts, demonstrate that there is no compromise for humanitys free will and sense of individuality, as this is seen as a introductory humanitarian right. As a result, our support or rejection of human genetic engineering will focus on our run on how this field will call on our rights as human beings and free thinking individuals. Perhaps the most profound ethical concern regarding genetic engineering is the questioning of what it means to be human and if genetic engineering results in dehumanisation, destroying the concept of humanity as we know it?In a genetically altered world, do we define genetically engineered beings as human if they have no flaws? Such ethical questions challenge our perception of what makes us human and force us to examine whether there is a necessity in genetically altering ourselves if the advantages do not surpass the possible consequences, as it can be argued that not every scientific advance automatically makes our lives more meaningful 6. both(prenominal) Huxley and Niccol examine this profound ethical concern in their texts, pro viding the conclusion that although we may alter our genetic makeup, we cannot alter the primal, immaterial characteristics of human beings such as our emotional vulnerability. therefrom emotional variability, self awareness, will power and human spirit are all subject to human autonomy and eyepatch these remain we do not stand our integrity. In essence it is a rejection of the gene determinism ideology as we do not define our individuality on the basis of genetic makeup, since there is no gene for the human spirit 1.In Gattaca, the essence of humanity is portrayed through the unenhanced Vincent, who overcomes his genetic heritage through shear want and will power, demonstrating that these qualities cannot be engineered, emerging instead from an individuals motivation when confronted with the challenge of a specific context or environment. In this sense it is Vincents flaws which fuel his determination and lead to his ultimate success, not his genes.This is contrasted against th e genetically enhanced characters, who suffer form the burden of perfection, as Gattaca poses the ethical dilemma that the expectations put upon the genetically enhanced to live up to their genetics are nearly as debilitating as the discrimination against the unenhanced 1. However the individual who has been engineered with no flaws, has naught to overcome and no apparent need to improve, thus lacking the traits of will power and motivation that Vincent possessed. This is similar to the genetically engineered characters of Bernard and Helmholtz in Brave New World.They are displease with the limitations their stable society imposes, despite undergoing full conditioning 6. These examples suggest that individual desires cannot be suppressed with social intervention and although genetic engineering may eliminate imperfections and flaws, it comes at price, which is that of emotional awareness and human spirit. Additionally, the most philosophical ethical concerns arise from a theoreti cal examination of how genetic engineering may influence the evolutionary process in the future. Genetic manipulation can be seen as a mechanism to aid humanity in adapting to new environmental conditions.Therefore in monetary value of evolutionary progress, we must question where genetic engineering places us. ar we speeding up the process of evolution or are we simply providing a new form of natural selection, one which is better suited to our technologically advanced context? So that over time, humanity as we know it will become non-existent having made way for the superior genetically enhanced beings. In the future if genetic engineering became far-flung in society, will survival be dependent upon the extent and type of our genetic enhancement and if so, who governs these moral absolutes?Although not practical, these are interesting ethical dilemmas to consider. Essentially, we are advance a point in history where we have the technology and the expertise to alter our genetic makeup in ways which seemed unthinkable even a ecstasy ago 7. Genetic engineering provides many advantages to human life such as eradicating disease and eliminating undesirable traits, however it also raises serious bioethical concerns such as those examined in Gattaca and Brave New World.We cannot restrict the publicity of science rather we need to develop moral boundaries so that we can get by the value of science without devaluing those who it is intended to behave 2. Flaws in human genetic engineering cannot be undone and thus a serious examination of the possible ethical implications and consequences need to be determined by the scientist and engineers, so that this technology does not have a detrimental impact on future generation.List of References 1 Kirby, D 2000, The New Eugenics in Cinema Genetic Determinism and Gene Therapy in GATTACA, Science fiction Studies, accessed third October 2013, 2 Gleghorn, M 2001, Putting the Brakes on Human Genetic Engineering Are We Spee ding toward a Brave New World? Probe Ministries, accessed 1st October 2013 3 D, P 2012, Loss of Privacy and Sense of Self, desperado Philosophy, accessed 19th October 20134 Gehlhaus, Jr R 1998, Brave New World The Cost of Stability, Soma Web, accessed twenty-ninth September 2013 5 Brave New World (1932), Literature & Film Search, assessed twelfth October 2013, Bottom of F 6 Shakespeare, T 2000, Brave New World II, The Guardian, accessed 2nd October 2013 7 Epstein, R1999, Ethical Dangers of Genetic Engineering, Institute for World Religions & San Francisco State University, accessed 2nd October 2013 8 Our Code of Ethics, 2010, Engineers Australia, accessed 10th October 2013