The author talks about how the conversation around eugenics is similar to the Pro-Choice movement in the 1960-70s. She explains how there is a stigma behind the word “eugenics” and questions whether it’s wrong to use new technology to improve the human race. She concludes the article by talking about the political opposition of eugenics. This article will be useful in the paper because it provides a different perspective of the ethics behind biotechnology.…
With the combination of nanomedicine, recreation of vital organs, and switching off genes responsible for the aging process, human life can be prolonged to an enormous amount: 300 years…
Have you ever wondered why you are more susceptible to a cold than a classmate who may be of a different race? It may be a result of natural selection as it impacts people living in certain countries, making them able to withstand weather or deadly diseases in their environment. However, all good things come at a cost. In Survival of the Sickest, Dr. Sharon Moalem explains that certain diseases that might affect people later in life have actually guided human evolution, enabling the species to survive long enough to reproduce. However, in today 's societies, these diseases are viewed more often as a threat, rather than a positive factor due to advances in medicine and technology.…
One controversial topic that provokes debate is genetic modification. In the essay “Proposed Treatment to Fix Genetic Diseases Raises Ethical issues” the author Rob Stein explains the process of genetic engineering and suggests a solution. The government is debating if the should let scientists “make changes in some of the genetic material” in the egg so the baby will not have certain genes. The main goal is to “help women deliver healthy, normal children.” There are some risks with this process such as birth defects.…
In discussions of Atul Gawande’s book Being Mortal, one controversial issue has been about the inescapable realities of death and becoming old. On the one hand, Gawande believes that when a person becomes old or near death, the surgeries and spending money on medicines ‘to keep them alive’ are not the best solution and it can complicate ones situation. The best way is to have the support of your loved ones to help get through tough times after surgeries or becoming old. On the other hand, Suzanne Koven from The Boston Globe believes that Atul’s book is very sad and depressing because it brings up the topics of aging, death, and current medical practices. It can commonly be associated with the question, How can we make our last days more comfortable,…
There are other key reasons that also lead people to become unaccepting of death, one of which being advancements in modern medicine and science. As mentioned above, common illnesses and diseases such as pneumonia, that once proved to be fatal for many, no longer play a large risk due to modern medicine. People today are not as quick to die from illnesses as they once were, instead there are cures available, or at least treatments that can hold off death for a number of years. This results in people believing that they can run from death. Another reason is palliative care and the ongoing debate on the ethics of euthanasia.…
Longevity is the desire for the average person, but how it’s scientifically achieved has yet to be discovered. Except researchers have discovered different places around the world where cultures have mastered living better for longer. In the transcript: “How To Live To 100+” by Dan Buettner he introduces us to parts of the world where people are living to be one hundred or older. These places are referred to as Blue Zones. The ideas of these studies are to introduce us to the lively hood and overall health of people around the world.…
According to Glannon, gene therapy “is an intervention aimed at treating disease and restoring physical and mental functions and capacities to an adequate baseline.” Genetic enhancement “is an intervention aimed at improving functions and capacities that already are adequate.” (577) He believes that there are no medical or moral reasons for genetically enhancing normal human functions. Glannon observes that currently, the best example of a medically accepted form of genetic enhancement is immunization against infectious disease.…
The existence of a medication that would provide individuals increased intelligence and performance without any long-term side effects and limited transient effects would seem to be a fantastic advancement in human medicine. Because the possibilities to use such a medication are endless, such a drug would raise issues regarding regulation. Questions such as: Who should have access to the drug? and When the drug can and should be used? will arise. This has the potential to be a very real issue that needs to be acknowledged and discussed as it has the potential to have major implications in both institutional and professional settings.…
It is inevitable that every day, month, and year the body are gets older and very slowly deuterated throughout a person’s lifetime. Some people may have some complications early on in life, but most of the population start to develop issues with their health later in life. This then bring up a question: Are people having more problems later in life because of the choices and decisions they have made previous in life? There are many different methods a person can slowly or rapidly shave off years of their lives, yet other methods that would do the opposite. Some would say that the life expectancy or longevity (the number of years an individual actually lives.…
Should People who are Terminally Ill be allowed to End their Lives? Time has passed, when there were not enough inventions and technologies to sustain life. In this era, new medical inventions prolong lives, and it has made it possible for humans to live longer, than when there were no remedies to support life. People can live comfortably with terminal illness throughout their lifetime.…
Death is a small, seemingly innocuous five-letter word. It is a topic that many do not like to discuss until it is absolutely necessary, while others may sit and ponder it in order to make sense of their life and purpose. Many ask themselves things such as “what will happen to me after I die?” One may think that humans are scared of dying or even say that they personally are scared of death. The uncertainty of an afterlife, or the concern over what will happen to those one leaves behind are valid concerns.…
Objective: In this debate; “ Are Life Spans Long Enough?” Ian Ground and Paul Rootwolpe are debating again Aubrey DeGrey and Brian Kennedy. Mr.Ground and Mr. Rootwolpe are for this motion, agreeing that life spans are long enough. Mr. DeGrey and Mr. Kennedy are against the motion, disagreeing that life spans are long enough, they believe you should have to right to live as long as you please. Ian Ground has a 1st class degree in Philosophy and English Literature at New Castle University.…
In light of my qualifications for the Masters Education Program of Genetic Counseling situated at Virginia Commonwealth University, it is significant to understand the spark that lit the conflagration of my interest in the field. Genetics as a whole has proven to be a profound influence on my life until this point, as it has for many others, but contrasted from others in its influence on my mindset and desire to understand the world that surrounds humanity. The questions of why people behave, look, feel, or develop in a certain manner as opposed to another has always proven to be definite fascination in my life and through genetics the opportunity for finding the answers to such questions was revealed in its entirety. The reason for suffering…
As human beings, just like other living organisms, our wellbeing is dependent on many factors. One measure of wellbeing is one’s length of life. Furthermore, and probably a more important point is the quality of that life. If we were to look at the average age in the 19th Century, it did not exceed 50 years. Whereas in today’s developed countries it has surpassed 80 years.…