Recently scientists are capable of artificially selecting specific genes and designing a baby. Over the years there have been great discoveries. Nowadays, a scientist can map the human genome; this scientific advancement allows them to identify specific genes and their impacts on humans. Furthermore, the technology can be used to choose the qualities that are more desirable in babies. However, genetic engineering has its cons; there are fears that motherly love might be lost, unknown genetic disorder might occur, gene manipulations might reduce our freedom by making us dependent on our genetic makeup, concerns on how genetic engineering might cause social division and there also ethical and religious concerns. In spite of this risks, genetic engineering should be incorporated in human activities since it is a useful scientific advancement; this is because, it reduces the risk associated with genetic diseases, increase the chances of a child's success in life, enhance cosmetic enhancements such as whiter, straighter teeth. Increases human lifespan and can give child genes that the parents do not carry. Also, it can prevent future generations from being prone to certain diseases.
Various authors seem to agree on the use of gene manipulation in curing of genetic diseases and how it misuses can lead to devastating effects. In the article, "Building A Baby From Genes Up" by Ronald green he illustrate the importance of gene manipulation in eliminating genetic disorders. He describe that genetic manipulation will lead to improvement such as reducing the susceptibility to number of diseases and might increase the lifespan of people. However, he acknowledges the risks involved where he states "genetic overloads ruling a vast genetic underclass are real" describing how some people might be superior overcoming others. In the article, "Genetically Modified Humans? No Thanks" by Richard Hayes, there is a lot of emphasis on the potential genetic technologies has in preventing and curing many terrible diseases. However, Richard, points out the potential of gene modification to cause harm if it's misapplied. He asks, "Once we begin genetically modifying our children, where do we stop?" He talks about how genetically modification that starts with one gene would lead to 20 genes or even 200 changing the genetic makeup totally. Moreover, in the video "Designer Babies And Gene Therapy" the author point out how scientist are using gene manipulation to attempt to find a possible cure for AIDS and cancer. Also, he describes effort to ascribe certain genes to specific hereditary disease which include multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's and diabetes. The author says, "I am not concern with their successes. I'm concerned how much damage they can do with their failures and throughout the field. Here he shows concern genetic modification failures can cause to human genetic integrity.
What are the views of most authors on religion implication of genetic modification? In the video, "Who's Afraid of Designer Babies?" There is a debate on whether it's ethical or not to design a baby. There are religious concerns about scientist involved in this genetic modification for instance after scientists in Sydney designed a baby brother to a boy in order to save him from an incurable genetic disease. The female announcer says "but others argue they're playing God". He shows peoples religious beliefs do not necessary support gene modification. Similarly the concern of implication of religious beliefs is further explored in the article, "Building Baby from the Genes Up". The author suggest that the use of genetic modification is widely accepted by most religious traditions, he talk of how pope John Paul II observed that modern biological research he gives an example by quoting John Paul when he talk about how genetic modification "can ameliorate the conditions for those who are affected by chromosome diseases," Although, he describes that for Catholicism and a number of other religious traditions, creating children who are longer-lived, faster runners and smarter is prohibited and unethical.
The Relationships of genetically modified babies with other people is described to be complicated by various authors. In the article "Building Baby from the Gene Up" the author describe how gene modified individual could have the potential of ruling over other people. "Genetic overlords ruling a vast genetic underclass, are real" this statement implies that genetically modified individual might underestimate and overcome genetic underclasses due to their abilities. Also, he suggests that if "youngsters are genetically vaccinated against dyslexia. " Showing how Genetic engineering could contribute to every one's social betterment. He further suggests that gene modification could lead a wider social division and affect the relationship between parent and their children. The issue is explored further in the article "Genetically Modified Baby No Thanks" the author explains concern that gene modification might make children to become artifacts that are designed to someone's expectation not a member of a family; meaning he or she would not be viewed as a member of a family. Moreover, in the video, "Who Is Afraid of Designer Babies" there are concerns about the relationship between brothers; one was designed to save another. A baby who was designed for the sole purpose of saving his brother, how would this make him feel and what the kind of relationship he would have with his parent all-knowing quite well that he was not meant to be but was rather designed. Would the one who was saved feel as though he owed his life to his brother? Yes, and therefore genetically modified babies relationship with themselves, others and their environment may differ from normal people.
Artificial gene alteration raises ethical and religious concerns; these genetic modifications might potentially result in undesired results. What would happen if the child ended up with unknown gene disorder, causing him or her to suffer or even have a shortened lifespan? The fact that such disorder can occur means that these processes are sensitive (Green). Gene manipulation is the process of changing the natural gene compositions of a person. Choosing an embryo through screening is also participating directly in deciding the kind of baby one wants. Many people seek this screening to find the best traits for their unborn babies and to ensure that the baby will be healthy. However what is the view held by various religions concerning controlling nature instead of nature being in control of us? The fact is that most religions do not support scientist who attempts to "play God" but they support scientist who use technology to safeguard life and cure diseases. Thus, genetic engineering aimed at acquiring desired traits is not allowed by religion. Most religion sees this as wrong and immoral actions
Industrialization of gene modification could lead to a significant number of genetically modified human beings. This would lead to social division. In the article, "building baby form the gene up" by Ronald Green talks about critics to gene modification, "many critics fear that reproductive genetics will widen our social divisions as the affluent "buy" more competitive abilities for their offspring. Will we eventually see "speciation," the emergence of two or more human populations" green raises the views of the critics? Thus, genetic engineering might sharpen the social gap. Imagine, we reach a time where scientists offer this market in the free market. Or imagine if a country attempts to manipulate their genetic compositions so that they can be better off than other nations. Imagine genetic engineering as a form of warfare; an attempt to be more superior to other humans. Imagine a world where every parent needs to give his or her child a fighting chance in world by ensuring that he or she gets the best genes available; in response to a high number of genetically engineered children. Surely there would be a very large divide between those who can get the best genes and those who might not afford the processes. Thus, it genetic manipulation is a dangerous affair that should not be played around with. There is a risk that this could lead to the existence of different human populations which cannot even mate. This could recreate the horrific situation of eugenic similar to those that led Asia, Europe to be seen as unfit.
There great health advantages of gene modification such curing hereditary diseases such as cancer. "Genetically Modified Human? No Thanks" article written by Richard Hayes states that "human genetic technologies have real potential to help prevent many terrible diseases" this acknowledges the ability of this gene modification to prevent diseases (Hayes). He seems to agree with Ronald Green the author of the article, "Building Baby from the Gene Up." Who wrote that "If we understand the genetic causes of obesity, we can intervene using embryo selection to produce a child with a reduced genetic likelihood of getting fat. This statement also acknowledges the importance of artificial selection of genes. Furthermore, in the video transcript, Whose Afraid of Designer Babies doctors design a lifesaving boy to save a child suffering from an incurable disease. Therefore we can avoid the inheritance of genetic disorders by using healthy embryos which lead to the birth of healthy babies (Green). Thus, genetic manipulation is essential in eliminating many diseases.
Ronald Green, the author of the article, "Building Baby From The Gene Up, stated that "Genomic science is racing toward a future in which foreseeable improvements include reduced susceptibility to a host of diseases, increased lifespan, better cognitive functioning and maybe even cosmetic enhancements such as whiter, straighter teeth." DNA contains almost all of the information need to build the body. It determines the color of our eyes, height, size of one's nose and hair color. Therefore DNA IS responsible for all physical attributes. Thus, since DNA is made up of strands of genes. Artificial alteration of one's gene could result in a change in one's physical appearances. Genetic engineering can enhance natural appearances and change mental faculties. It is possible to change hair, skin and even high color with a simple injection and to change back later. Thus, this demonstrates how important genetic engineering is and how it is used to enhance one physical attributes.
Children chances of succeeding in life are increased significantly through the use of artificial gene selection.in the article, "Building Baby from the Gene Up" by Ronald Green it illustrates how Scientist can identify the genetic catalysts for obesity; though embryo selections scientist can design a baby that has reduced chances of getting fat. In the video which is afraid of designer babies stock illustrates how genetic diagnosis will give parents ability to select 1 out of 100 children that expressed the traits that they thought are useful in their life. Furthermore, by using techniques such as gene targeting to tweak fatal deoxyribonucleic acid sequence, no child needs to face a lifetime experience of cosmetic and health problems associated with obesity. Also, cognitive problems can also be solved, for example, dyslexia. Genetics has established some of the mutations responsible for the disorder. Thus, no child should struggle with a difficulty of reading; if a scientist can alter the genetic makeup of the child. Parents with negative inheritable genes can get seek help from such scientist, to prevent passing these genes to their young ones. Thus, altering with these factors increases the chances of a Childs to successes in life.
Another advantage of this technology is that a child can be given genes that their parent did not possess in their genetic makeup. Therefore, this means the child may be an improved version of the parent; by altering the genetic makeup of the child through genetic engineering. This has the effect of avoiding the genes that are not advantageous and replacing them with those that will be of some advantage to the child. Moreover, Children can be genetically modified to exhibit qualities that their parents didn't have. Therefore, a scientist can enhance certain characteristics in children such as cosmetic, athletic, and cognitive traits which could later be passed to the young ones. Furthermore, genetic engineering can lead to a higher lifespan among human beings. Certain genes have been identified that that reduce the aging process allowing a person to live longer. Thus, if these genes are incorporated in one's DNA, it would increase his or her lifespan.
A case in the video Who Is Afraid of Designer Babies Steve and lean attempt to design a baby and According to Ronald green in his article Baby from Gene Up he states, "Genomic science is racing toward a future in which foreseeable improvements include reduced susceptibility to a host of diseases." Artificial selection of genes can prevent our future generation from a risk of genetic diseases. Modification of genetic makeup of a cell, to eliminate disease-causing genes not only helps this generation from suffering from inherited diseases but also prevents the future generation from acquiring the disease. The gene would not exist in the future. Thus, its necessary that disease-causing genes are identified especially those that are cancerous that lead to malignant cell growth so that we can eliminate cancer.
Ronald green in his article building baby form the gene up he says that his critics are of the opinion that, "Gene manipulations will diminish our freedom by making us creatures of our genes or our parents," whereas Richard Hayes article "Genetically Modified Humans? No Thanks." When the parents choose the genetic traits of their babies, this means that they have designed the baby to have certain abilities. This makes the child dependent on his or her genetic composition. There are concerns that genetic engineering might help lender children as designs of their parent. It is important that a Child's destiny is one of his or her choosing. If parents chose to artificially manipulate a baby's genetic composition to incorporate a gene that enhances the baby's athletic skill. The baby will have been designed to be an athlete but what happens if he or she doesn't want to be an athlete? He will have to go against what he or she was raised to be. Therefore, artificial gene composition might diminish our freedoms as human beings. It reduces how we feel about our accomplishments. As much as gene manipulation is important, its use should be limited to curing diseases.
Building a baby by genes is the process by which scientist artificially select genes to design a baby's genetic composition. Gene manipulations also allow scientist to cure many genetic diseases such as cancer. Genetic engineering can also be used to increase one's lifespan. Also, it can allow scientist to give the child third party genes, those that the parent does not carry changing the Childs traits. In light of all these possibilities, there is fear of using genetic manipulation in a human being. The first risk is that it has the potential of creating two human populations one that is fit and another that is not, creating a social divide. Secondly, using this technology might reduce the natural love a mother has toward her child since the child has third-party genes. Thirdly, there are religious fears; the whole concept of designing a baby's genetic makeup is with the aim of improving the traits. Scientists are attempting to design a person who adapts to the environment better. It seems as though scientist are "playing God." Although the church supports using technology to cure disease, there is a silver lining between helping people and 'playing God.' In consideration of the tragedy gene manipulation become, it is still important scientific advancement with a lot of uses; hence it should be adopted and used carefully.