James D. Watson

Genetically engineering Babies Genetically engineering our children could potentially be a popular thing of the future. As this theory develops there are two different opinions on this situation. There are scientist who are completely for genetic engineering and there are scientist completely against it. So far this is still in testing but it very well could be a normal concept right around the corner. Genetically engineering means that they modify or change genes in a zygote (fertilized egg).…

Summary: The persuasive piece that I have chosen to use for my rhetorical analysis is a transcript from a TED talk by Paul Root Wolpe titled, “It’s time to Question Bio-engineering”. Wolpe is an ethicist who studies the implications of the new sciences, is the head at the Center for Genetics at Emory University, and is the chief bioethicist for NASA. He begins his talk by presenting the audience with examples of selective breeding in animals and mentions many hybrid animals such as “beefalo”,…

Michael Sandel in “The case Against Perfection” talks about benefits and drawbacks in genetic engineering, designer children, and bionic athletes. The benefit is that improving technological advancement, we will be able to treat and prevent many diseases that are prevalent today. The downside is that exponential growth of technologies will allow us to manipulate our own nature, to enhance our cognitive abilities, physical strength, and choose genetic traits of our children to make ourselves…

Mamar Tavasol Word Count:799 Build-a-Better-Baby Workshop In the following paper, I will be arguing that expanding people’s autonomy in making decisions on advancements in biotechnology directly affecting them or their children is not an unethical act. In the prompt, the case of Jasmine and Katarina, a same-sex couple living in the future that is interested in having a child is presented. This couple has many different requests about the child they want; including the sex, sexual orientation,…

SUMMARY/PRECIS Professor Ronald Green of Dartmouth University, in his article, Building Baby from Genes Up, addresses the topic of whether or not genetic engineering is a viable technological advancement for our society to pursue and argues that although there are many potential drawbacks, the overall benefits of genetic engineering outweigh its downfalls. He supports this claim by addressing the variety of benefits that genetic engineering can offer, then by categorically refuting…

In “Playing God?” by John Evans, technology is dashing at an erratic speed, and nowhere more so than in the field of genetic engineering where the possibility of changing the genes of one’s children isn’t just myth; but quickly becoming a reality. John H. Evans is professor of sociology at the University of California, San Diego. He has been a visiting member of the School of Social Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, a post-doctoral fellow at the Robert Wood Johnson…

Imagine a world where life threatening diseases are a thing of the past, where child are born without birth defects or serious illness. Imagine a world where parents could choose what their child looks like, or make sure their child is not susceptible to drug addictions, alcoholism, depression or violence. Imagine a world where parents could make their children genius or amazing athletes. Does this idea scare you or make you excited? Through the use of genetic engineering this imagined world…

In the film Gattaca directed by Andrew Niccol the key relationship between the brothers helped the viewer to understand the important idea. In the world of Gattaca, the society is divided into two classes of people – the genetically enhanced Valids and the naturally conceived Invalids. Through the brother’s relationship, Vincent as a faith born child as opposed to Anton as a genetically engineered child, the viewer is shown the idea of a Valid and an Invalid. Vincent and Anton are living in a…

“But when the sun was setting, all those who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. By laying his hands on each one of them, he cured them” (Luke 4:20). Could genetic engineering be the cure they are looking for today? Genetic engineering is “the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material.” (Google) The most common genetic disorders are Down Syndrome, Huntington’s Disease, Sickle Cell Disease, and Hemophilia. Modifying…

n the near future, people will be able to genetically modify their child’s genes to have the best chance for ideal DNA. At least, that’s what Gattaca is saying. Made in 1997, this film focuses on Vincent, whom was born naturally, without his genes being modified. HIs natural birth causes discrimination towards him and prevents him from working at Gattaca, a space program. He takes Jerome’s identity, who is a nearly perfect genetically modified person. Jerome had an accident, leaving him…