An Enhanced Genotype: Ethical Issues Involved with Genetic Engineering and their Impact as Revealed by Brave New World

An Enhanced Genotype: Ethical Issues Involved with Genetic Engineering and their Impact as Revealed by Brave New World

Human society always attempts to better itself through the use of technology. Thus far, as a species, we have already achieved much: mastery of electronics, flight, and space travel. However, the field in which the most progress is currently being made is Biology, specifically Genetic Engineering. In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, humanity has taken control of reproduction and biology in the same way that we have mastered chemistry and physics. Efficiency drives the entire goal of society, leading to the creation of an assembly-line process.

The entire society is driven by the desire for efficiency, to the point that manipulation of the human being is not only being considered, but actively being undertaken. The various castes of the people in Brave New World are specifically designed for performing a specific task, with the Epsilons performing the menial thoughtless labor. However, the Epsilons suffer from taking the same amount of time to rear as the upper castes. However, the Epsilon is mentally mature much sooner, so the Hatchery officials ask “could the individual Epsilon be made a revert, by suitable technology, to the normality of dogs and cows” (Huxley 15). Here, the ‘normality’ refers to the quick period to maturity. If the society is able to control childhood, they will be able to become ever more efficient, satisfying the Brave New World manifest destiny.

Thus, it becomes apparent that Genetic Engineering is the cornerstone of Brave New World society. Every caste within the society requires the controlling force of soma, as well as the hypnopaedia (sleep-teaching), it is ultimately the mental an...

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