Within every human cell, there are sets of instruction codes called “genes”. We acquired these codes from our mother and father at conception in the form of chromosomes. The combination of these two sets of chromosomes creates a unique human being. Genes control and make decisions regrading every aspect of our body like our physical features and bodily systems. Gene therapy and genetic engineering are two related experimental technologies that involve changing the genetic codes within the cells of biological organisms (University of Missouri, 2016; Lister Hill Biomedical Communications, 2017). Gene therapy is used to repair genetic malignances like diseases, while genetic engineering is used to improve the functions of selective genes beyond …show more content…
The University of Missouri (2016) argued that humans take great pride in things like beauty, endurance, intelligence, certain behaviors, or personality factors, and people for years have been trying to improve these characteristics through things like physical activity, diet, or even surgery so why should we not use genetics to make it easier. The University of Missouri (2016) goes so far as to ask the question of why should we not be able to give our children the best genetic advantage possible. This type of modification has been coined “transhumanist” or genetically enhanced humans (Trivino 2012). These arguments, to me, are from a naturalist worldview. The naturalist views humans as only able to get better and better with the flow of technological. That we have total and complete control in how we govern our bodies and if we want to genetically change, for example, our IQ level eleven points higher, we should be able to. Counter to this naturalistic view, I find the idea of “transhumanist” to be biblically and inherently wrong and not essential in preserving human life. The verses Psalms 139:14-16 (King James Bible, 2017) states that we are beautifully made by our Lord exactly as He intended. The verse Psalms 119:73 (King James Bible, 2017) explains how our Lord molded us in His hands and we are to carry out His commands. Both of these scriptures give insight into how we aren’t the masters of our lives and we cannot control our physical and mental states. We are not given the authority to change anything about our physical bodies or how we think. We are beings meant for the Lord and to worship
Gene therapy is the application of the technique where the defect-causing "bad" genes are replaced by correct "good" genes. The idea of gene therapy is to treat the disease by correcting the "bad" DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) rather than the current me thod of providing drugs, or proteins not produced by the defective gene. Gene therapy addresses the problem first hand by directly working with the genetic information causing the disease. From the book Shaping Genes, Dr. Darryl Macer says "It is like f ixing a hole in the bucket, rather than trying to mop up the leaking water." There are two kinds of gene therapy, somatic cell gene therapy and germline gene therapy.
Human gene therapy is a method used in the medical field that treats diseases at a molecular level, by solving the source of the problem; our genes. Today, diseases and disorders are commonly treated by solving the symptoms, the surface of the problem. Many disorders and diseases are caused by defective proteins and within those defective proteins are damaged and defective genes. These defective genes can be treated through gene therapy. Gene therapy is not new and has been developed and improved by researchers for the past couple years. Being an experimental technique, gene therapy also has its pros and cons, but so far is showing positive and rising success rates.
A molecular biologist by the name of James Watson once said, “we used to think that the fate was in our stars, but now we know that, in large measure, our fate is in our genes.” The Oxford Dictionary defines gene therapy as the transplantation of normal genes into cells in place of missing or defective ones in order to correct genetic disorders. Gene therapy has the ability to prevent, treat, and even cure diseases by replacing a faulty gene with a stable, healthy one (American Medical Association). Aldous Huxley’s, Brave New World, relates to gene therapy because they program each embryo with how they should live. This essay will first talk about why gene therapy is done and how it works.
In September 14, 1990, an operation, which is called gene therapy, was performed successfully at the National Institutes of Health in the United States. The operation was only a temporary success because many problems have emerged since then. Gene therapy is a remedy that introduces genes to target cells and replaces defective genes in order to cure the diseases which cannot be cured by traditional medicines. Although gene therapy gives someone who is born with a genetic disease or who suffers cancer a permanent chance of being cured, it is high-risk and sometimes unethical because the failure rate is extremely high and issues like how “good” and “bad” uses of gene therapy can be distinguished still haven’t been answered satisfactorily.
In the past 40 years, scientists have developed and applied genetic engineering to alter the genetic make-up of organisms by manipulating their DNA. Scientists can use restriction enzymes to slice up a piece of DNA from an organism with the characteristics they want and spliced (joint) to a DNA from another organism. DNA that contains pieces from different species is called recombinant DNA, and it now has different genetic material from its original. When this DNA inserted back into the organism, it changes the organism’s trait. This technique is known as gene-splicing (Farndon 19).
In 1983, Pope John Paul II mentioned in an address “genetic enhancement was permissible- indeed, laudable- even from a Catholic point of view, as long as it met certain basic moral rules. Among those rules: that these therapies be available to all. Ensuring equality of care may become inseparable from ensuring equality of opportunity.” (What is the Catholic view on genetic engineering? - Mary Meets Dolly. 12/ 05/ 2014.)
The process behind Gene Therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes in order to treat or prevent diseases. It is designed to introduce genetic material into cells to compensate for abnormal genes, a new gene is injected into an adenovirus vector, which is used to introduce the modified DNA into a human cell. If the treatment is successful, the new gene will make a functional protein. A
"The aim is to decrease the fear of a brave new world and to encourage people to be more proactive about their health. It [Gene therapy] will help humans become better physically and even mentally and extend human life. It is the future” (Hulbert). Dr. Hulbert, a genetic engineer, couldn’t be anymore right; more time, money, and research needs to be put into gene therapy and genetic engineering, since it can cure certain illness and diseases that are incurable with modern medicine, has fewer side-effects than conventional drugs or surgery, and allows humans to be stronger physically and mentally at birth. Gene therapy or genetic engineering is the development and application of scientific methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population (NIH). It essentially means that we can change DNA to make an organism better. Genetic engineering is used with animals and plants every day; for example with genetic...
A World of Species When it comes to the topic of genetic modification, there is a debate as to whether or not it should be allowed. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on whether or not science should be able to improve human life. While some are convinced that genetic modification can help cure diseases, others maintain that it shouldn’t be used to enhance a child’s abilities. My own view, however, is that genetic modification shouldn’t be used to stare off diseases, or be used to alter a child’s physical or mental capabilities. David Koespell, a professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, states, “Humans have been involved in the natural order of themselves, and genetic engineering is another way to improve human life” (Koespell).
Science and technology are rapidly advancing everyday; in some ways for the better, and in some, for worse. One extremely controversial advance is genetic engineering. As this technology has high potential to do great things, I believe the power genetic engineering is growing out of control. Although society wants to see this concept used to fight disease and illness, enhance people 's lives, and make agriculture more sustainable, there needs to be a point where a line is drawn.
The term GM foods or GMO (genetically-modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques (Whitman, 2000). These plants have been modified in the laboratory to offer desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. Also, genetic engineering techniques have been applied to create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and accurately. For example, this is done by the geneticist isolating the gene responsible for drought tolerance and inserts it into another plant. The new genetically-modified plant will now have gained drought tolerance as well.
Genes are made of DNA – the code of life (Gene Therapy- The Great Debate!). The changes in genes may cause serious problems, which we called genetic disorder. In theory, the only method to cure genetic disorders is gene therapy, which basically means the replacement of genes in order to correct the loss or change in people’s DNA. Although gene therapy gives patients with genetic disorders a permanent cure, it is controversial because it has safety and efficacy problems, and raises ethical issues.
Position Paper: Gene Therapy in Humans. Advancements in science and medicine are usually accompanied by a myriad of ethical and moral implications. The fairly recent advancement in genetics, called gene therapy, is no exception to the baggage of polarizing views that come with new technology. Gene therapy is an extremely hot topic in both the scientific world and everyday life. New technology, discoveries, and breakthroughs are rapidly occurring in the field every day.
In getting rid of genetic diseases in a set of genes, this application of genetic engineering is done while the DNA is in an embryo. To use genetic engineering, a couple would have to use in vitro fertilization (IVF). During IVF, the couple has a group of embryos that will be tested to see what diseases they carry with them. The couple then chooses which embryo they want to have after considering all the possibilities with each embryo (“Eugenics”). This process allows for a baby to have certain physical traits and diseases eliminated from its DNA. ADD TRANSITION In 2000, Adam Nash was born without a disease that ran in his family’s genes. His sister had the disease, so they used genetic engineering to have Adam, whose tissue matched his sister, but also did not have the disease so that Adam’s stem cells could be used to treat his sister. This was the first recording of designer genes, which is part of genetic engineering (“Designer Genes”). Genetic engineering in humans has proven to be beneficial in eliminating the chance a person could have a genetic disease. Even though scientists are not picking out specific genes a human can have, they are making sure a specific gene is absent to ensure a person has a better life. In gene therapy, the genes in a
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have super powers? Wondered what it would be like to have eagle-like vision, super strength, or super speed? most of us would love to have these abilities like our favorite superheroes, but perhaps you think that this is impossible. you might think that superheroes can only be in our comic books and adventure movies. with genetic engineering, researchers are learning new ways to manipulate DNA coding in animals to deliberately change the characteristics of an organism. what does this mean for humans though? And what are the limitations, possibilities, and hazards of doing so? The possibilities of what this new science can do to benefit humans, and their environment, are endless.