Definition/science of genetic modification in embryos
In human beings, genetic modification or engineering is the editing of genes. Genes are segments of DNA and are responsible for our physical characteristics. Genes are all heritable characteristics such as coloration, height, some intelligence factors and predisposition or immunity to particular diseases and physical and mental genetic defects. Human germline manipulation is the intentional altering of DNA in gametes, which are the sex cells in humans. The changes that will result from manipulating germ cells will eventually become a natural part of the human reproduction system and the altered genes will be passed on from generation to generation. The science behind germline manipulation …show more content…
This process is known as microinjection. A similar method called Bio-ballistics can be used to achieve the same end goal of ultimately engineering a healthy embryo. A less-than-cell-sized metal silver is coated with therapeutic DNA and precisely shot or injected into a target cell. What makes germline engineering unique is heritability. Passing on altered genes that can ultimately eliminate diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and even Alzheimer’s disease can improve the quality of human life exponentially. These newly acquired genes can be modified back to their original configuration or engineered ever further to achieve the desired result many generations later. Germline manipulation has sparked an enormous amount of controversy and scientists and people everywhere have great arguments for and against germline manipulation.
Pros
One of the biggest reasons why scientists are pushing for the advancement of germline manipulation is to end diseases. Human genetic engineering was devoted to helping end the spread of diseases, as well as genetic defects and …show more content…
The biggest argument people have against genetic modification is that God should have the ultimate power, and genetically engineering human beings to be different than the way God created them is impious. (Arnold) This side of the argument suggests that it is not up to human beings to advance the human race. Even with genetic corruption, people were created in the image of God, therefore changing that image would be wrong. Some are against germline manipulation from a scientific standpoint rather than religious beliefs. They believe that because genetic modification is performed by human beings, mistakes that some engineers make will be passed on to future generations, ultimately leaving the human race in a worse situation than before. Some believe that giving parents the option of genetically engineering their baby will result in eugenics driven by egoism. People might take advantage of germline manipulation by creating embryos that will be their own idea of what is perfect, thus objectifying and commodifying children. Some opposers even say that because these embryos will not have a say in whether they want to be modified or not, their rights will be taken away. Furthermore, regulating laws ensuring that genetic modification is used only for the correction of genuinely medical genetic conditions as opposed to enhancing a child’s appearance will be nearly impossible. Rich parents will use
In human beings, genetic modification or engineering is the editing of genes. Genes are segments of DNA and are responsible for our physical characteristics. Genes are all heritable characteristics such as coloration, height, some intelligence factors and predisposition or immunity to particular diseases and physical and mental genetic defects. Human germline manipulation is the intentional altering of DNA in gametes, which are the sex cells in humans. The changes that will result from manipulating germ cells will eventually become a natural part of the human reproduction system and the altered genes will be passed on from generation to generation. The science behind germline manipulation …show more content…
This process is known as microinjection. A similar method called Bio-ballistics can be used to achieve the same end goal of ultimately engineering a healthy embryo. A less-than-cell-sized metal silver is coated with therapeutic DNA and precisely shot or injected into a target cell. What makes germline engineering unique is heritability. Passing on altered genes that can ultimately eliminate diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and even Alzheimer’s disease can improve the quality of human life exponentially. These newly acquired genes can be modified back to their original configuration or engineered ever further to achieve the desired result many generations later. Germline manipulation has sparked an enormous amount of controversy and scientists and people everywhere have great arguments for and against germline manipulation.
Pros
One of the biggest reasons why scientists are pushing for the advancement of germline manipulation is to end diseases. Human genetic engineering was devoted to helping end the spread of diseases, as well as genetic defects and …show more content…
The biggest argument people have against genetic modification is that God should have the ultimate power, and genetically engineering human beings to be different than the way God created them is impious. (Arnold) This side of the argument suggests that it is not up to human beings to advance the human race. Even with genetic corruption, people were created in the image of God, therefore changing that image would be wrong. Some are against germline manipulation from a scientific standpoint rather than religious beliefs. They believe that because genetic modification is performed by human beings, mistakes that some engineers make will be passed on to future generations, ultimately leaving the human race in a worse situation than before. Some believe that giving parents the option of genetically engineering their baby will result in eugenics driven by egoism. People might take advantage of germline manipulation by creating embryos that will be their own idea of what is perfect, thus objectifying and commodifying children. Some opposers even say that because these embryos will not have a say in whether they want to be modified or not, their rights will be taken away. Furthermore, regulating laws ensuring that genetic modification is used only for the correction of genuinely medical genetic conditions as opposed to enhancing a child’s appearance will be nearly impossible. Rich parents will use