Gene Therapy Ethics

Gene therapy held many possible promises when found in the beginning of the 1990’s. “Gene therapy was the answer to what ailed us” (The Gene Hunters). Gene therapy is defined as, “The application of genetic engineering to the transplantation of gene into human cells in order to cure a disease caused by a genetic defect, as a missing enzyme” (Dictionary.com, 2005). This special field of medicine still holds promise for treating some types of genetic diseases, instead of just discovering their presence. Although this therapy is used as a positive solution to remedy some types of ailments, it can also be used for negative reasons which may cross ethical and medical boundaries. This paper will review the ethical considerations for the positive …show more content…
Since I am not well versed in these areas of medicine, I can see both sides of the coin. I believe God placed researchers and doctors on this earth for a reason. I believe the science can be used in a positive way “to mend the genetic typos that cause disease”, but it can also be used negatively to change the individualism in which God intended for each of us (The Gene Hunters). Since I tend to have a deontological ethics system, I believe we can take actions which are basically right or wrong. We as a human race should use medical technology as a way to serve God, not ourselves. This is right and just. We should not use gene therapy to make our children look a certain way which is pleasing to the world like it says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will” (BibleGateway, 1993). We should use gene therapy as a way to cure diseases and help those who are suffering. “It is not by accident but under God’s sovereignty and common grace that science has developed this technology (Rae, 2009, p.