Genetic Engineering Pros And Cons Essay

Variations in populations and evolutionary advantages have always ensured the survival and diversity of a species. That being the case, species need those variations and advantages to continue developing. The genetic similarity that engineering would bring would lead to an uninteresting society populated by people with little uniqueness left to them. More frighteningly, it could even lead to the extinction of the human race. Without looking at the potentially catastrophic outcomes, some cite that genetic engineering is a necessity to cure the human race of genetic ailments and diseases that have plagued us for centuries. They say this is best done by removing life threatening conditions at a germ line level so that they are never passed on. When in fact, technology to cure and prevent thousands of diseases has already been widely available without requiring editing an embryo. Installing these cures at a germline level could have …show more content…
The unpredictability of the side effects could lead to anything from that person developing a condition they never would have naturally to leaving every genetically altered human and their offspring vulnerable to a new disease. Every society in in which the technology thrives would feel the tremors of unwanted change as genetically altered humans run rampant with new abilities while the uniqueness of humanity fades with every generation. Alteration would be most effective at the embryonic level, but the procedure is simply not ethical without consent. Something so dangerous and unethical should not be allowed to become widely available. It is crucial for everyone to understand the dangers of this and protest against any bills that advocate for the legalization of editing human embryos. As humans we must allow each other to choose their own path through life rather than steal their uniqueness before their first