The Ethics of Frankenstein’s Bioengineering
In today’s world, discoveries in new scientific fields increase daily. One of the many achievements includes work in the realm of bioengineering. Bioengineering remains not as new found science or idea; however, the science stands now exponentially increasing as scientists are exploring more and more due to our ever-increasing knowledge of technology. Although technology and bioengineering may advance the knowledge held by man and furthermore help our species, bioengineering remains dangerous to pursue without proceeding with great caution and must follow basic ethical principles and moral standards to keep from venturing past human capabilities of control. As in the case of Victor Frankenstein and …show more content…
Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips. (Shelley 36)
This description not only shows Victor’s intricate work and his great interest, but also identifies the pieced-together monster’s body.
However, Dr. Frankenstein’s false pretenses are revealed as he decides to “play God” and compose a creation from several cadavers and robs graves in his attempt to appease his appetite in resurrecting inanimate objects. As displayed throughout the story proceeding the reanimation of the assembled creature, Frankenstein question his vile handiwork and the morality and ethical dilemma, or lack thereof, Frankenstein considered before embarking on his appalling crusade. However, despite Victor’s intentions, evil or not, progression of the human condition and furthering healthcare through bioengineering remains questionable in its moral correctness as scientific replacement of God, Mother Nature, and the genetic make-up of humans in the roles of shaping life. Frankenstein’s work crossed the boundaries of moral standards and ethical living as he chose to replace the laws of …show more content…
“Frankenstein’s scientific quest is nothing less than an attempt to “penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show how [nature] works in her hiding places”… and to appropriate [nature] and to steal [nature’s] biological reproduction” (Wiener 83) For Frankenstein, his endeavors led him down of path of nature’s mutilation and manipulation of its framework. Now, Frankenstein, and even modern day doctors and scientists, stand faced with the same dilemma: How far can science venture into the genesis of life before major problems arise in genetic or bioengineered creations? In the case of Frankenstein’s monster, an answer quickly arose as his monster excelled beyond Victor’s greatest
In today’s world, discoveries in new scientific fields increase daily. One of the many achievements includes work in the realm of bioengineering. Bioengineering remains not as new found science or idea; however, the science stands now exponentially increasing as scientists are exploring more and more due to our ever-increasing knowledge of technology. Although technology and bioengineering may advance the knowledge held by man and furthermore help our species, bioengineering remains dangerous to pursue without proceeding with great caution and must follow basic ethical principles and moral standards to keep from venturing past human capabilities of control. As in the case of Victor Frankenstein and …show more content…
Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips. (Shelley 36)
This description not only shows Victor’s intricate work and his great interest, but also identifies the pieced-together monster’s body.
However, Dr. Frankenstein’s false pretenses are revealed as he decides to “play God” and compose a creation from several cadavers and robs graves in his attempt to appease his appetite in resurrecting inanimate objects. As displayed throughout the story proceeding the reanimation of the assembled creature, Frankenstein question his vile handiwork and the morality and ethical dilemma, or lack thereof, Frankenstein considered before embarking on his appalling crusade. However, despite Victor’s intentions, evil or not, progression of the human condition and furthering healthcare through bioengineering remains questionable in its moral correctness as scientific replacement of God, Mother Nature, and the genetic make-up of humans in the roles of shaping life. Frankenstein’s work crossed the boundaries of moral standards and ethical living as he chose to replace the laws of …show more content…
“Frankenstein’s scientific quest is nothing less than an attempt to “penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show how [nature] works in her hiding places”… and to appropriate [nature] and to steal [nature’s] biological reproduction” (Wiener 83) For Frankenstein, his endeavors led him down of path of nature’s mutilation and manipulation of its framework. Now, Frankenstein, and even modern day doctors and scientists, stand faced with the same dilemma: How far can science venture into the genesis of life before major problems arise in genetic or bioengineered creations? In the case of Frankenstein’s monster, an answer quickly arose as his monster excelled beyond Victor’s greatest