Enhancing Society at a Cost
In recent years, scientists developed genetic engineering in animals. Gene modification enhances animals by increasing fertility, and allows the possibility of cloning. However, cloning and designing animals leads to the application of genetic modification in humans. In Dinesh D’Souza’s essay, “Staying Human,” he reveals the positive and negative effects of genetic engineering, but he affirms the unethical application of genetic engineering. Because of this advancement, parent’s “play God” and design their own offspring. The effects of this feat in medical science damages society. Man’s desire for control pushes genetic engineering in the wrong direction. Recent advancements in genetic engineering allow the prevention …show more content…
D’ Souza introduces Jeremy Rifkin’s idea “that we are heading for a nightmarish future where people are identified, stereotyped, and discriminated against on the basis of their genotype” (D’Souza, 2001, para. 7). Today, a person’s genotype does not cause discrimination, but when genetic engineering in humans becomes mainstream, the criticism will damage society. A child will experience more discrimination if their parents choose genetic modification during pregnancy. Rifkin believes this action causes humanity to lose its sacred value: “Living beings [cannot] be considered sacred if they are treated as nothing more than bundles of genetic information” (D’Souza, 2001, para. 7). If human beings value nothing more than genetic information, a new set of stereotyping will form from genetic engineering, which will disrupt natural relationships between human beings. Through all the examples provided, man’s desire to control the genetic development of children pushes genetic engineering in the wrong direction. Although parents facilitate a child’s internal development by preventing disease, the temptation for further genetic modification overrides a parent’s potential to enhance
In recent years, scientists developed genetic engineering in animals. Gene modification enhances animals by increasing fertility, and allows the possibility of cloning. However, cloning and designing animals leads to the application of genetic modification in humans. In Dinesh D’Souza’s essay, “Staying Human,” he reveals the positive and negative effects of genetic engineering, but he affirms the unethical application of genetic engineering. Because of this advancement, parent’s “play God” and design their own offspring. The effects of this feat in medical science damages society. Man’s desire for control pushes genetic engineering in the wrong direction. Recent advancements in genetic engineering allow the prevention …show more content…
D’ Souza introduces Jeremy Rifkin’s idea “that we are heading for a nightmarish future where people are identified, stereotyped, and discriminated against on the basis of their genotype” (D’Souza, 2001, para. 7). Today, a person’s genotype does not cause discrimination, but when genetic engineering in humans becomes mainstream, the criticism will damage society. A child will experience more discrimination if their parents choose genetic modification during pregnancy. Rifkin believes this action causes humanity to lose its sacred value: “Living beings [cannot] be considered sacred if they are treated as nothing more than bundles of genetic information” (D’Souza, 2001, para. 7). If human beings value nothing more than genetic information, a new set of stereotyping will form from genetic engineering, which will disrupt natural relationships between human beings. Through all the examples provided, man’s desire to control the genetic development of children pushes genetic engineering in the wrong direction. Although parents facilitate a child’s internal development by preventing disease, the temptation for further genetic modification overrides a parent’s potential to enhance