Human Genetic Engineering

The debate over whether or not the use of genetic engineering in humans is ethical has been a highly controversial topic for the past two decades. True, scientists can genetically manipulate genes in order to help cure genetic diseases, but genetic engineering can also have some undesirable consequences. Not only could genetic engineering harm humans physically, but change the way we view other humans. While the use of genetic engineering in humans can treat and cure some medical conditions, genetic engineering is a discipline that should remain unexplored.

Even though scientists have been able to successfully cure and treat many genetic diseases, many experts focus on the possible unknown effects of genetic engineering in humans. When testing genetic engineering in plants, scientists are able to discard all of the defective plant samples, when doing so with a human that has been genetically altered would be considered highly unethical (Clapper).

The use of genetic engineering in our society today could lead to changes in our society’s view of social status. People fear that the use of genetic manipulation in children might encourage the undesirable attitude that children are to be valued according to how closely they meet their parental expectations rather than loved for their own individual talents and personality (Commission 28). If parents want to genetically engineer their children to be exceptionally smart or athletic, there is possibility for our society to start loving their children only for the talents that they were chosen to have. If we all of the sudden have a surplus of geniuses, then being exceptionally smart will no longer be valued or thought highly of. If everyone was as smart as Albert Einstein, no one wo...

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...ct baby.” (Pray)” Although the intent of this couple was not to make their child perfect, their request redefined the boundaries that separate serious genetic medical cases from lowering the probability that a child can develop a medical condition. Even though breast cancer is a serious disease, everyone has a chance of developing it in their life.

Works Cited

Clapper, Rayshell. "Human Genetic Engineeing: A Very Brief Introduction." redOrbit. 9 April 2013. Web. 19 February 2014.

National Bioethics Advisory Commision. "The Risks of Human Cloning Outweigh the Benefits." Biomedical Ethics Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Tamara L. Roleff. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1998. 23-35. Print.

Verhey, Allen. "Cloning Would Violate a Person's Individuality." Biomedical Ethics Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Tamara L. Roleff. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1998. 40-44. Print.