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The role of genetics in human welfare
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Fukuyama begins his novel, Our Posthuman Future, by recognizing the current condition of the biotechnological revolution at hand. He gives specific examples in these advances such as neurological science and also neuropharmacology’s efforts of late to operate and control the emotions and behaviors of humans in the attempt to prolong how long humans can live. Fukuyama is clearly too opinionated when it comes to the well-being of humans to discharge all the advancements being made in biotechnology as either positive or negative. Fukuyama is insightful enough to know that with each important advancement, another difficulty is raised and serious questions must be challenged and answered.
Over the years there have been great improvements in the sciences of life over the last half-century of our time, coming together in the unearthing of DNA, and the pace as hastened lately with the great use of the
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He works incredibly diligently to stray away from the easy scapegoat of science fiction tragedy. He starts with what has been previously known in the biotechnological new world. Which is the large distribution of drugs both street and medicinal to young people and also children. Sometimes medical interference is required in instances dealing with clinical depression and violence but Fukuyama discerns that there are psychiatrists view ADHD as an issue that is widespread and growing, especially from younger boys. He refutes how long the widespread disorder and argues that ADHD is very small on the larger scale of adolescent male attitudes and behaviors. Adolescents, especially males, are supposed to be able to be extremely active in their lives and not be quiet and sit behind a desk all day. Fukuyama states that by administering these ADHD controlling drugs injudiciously, society is changing its adolescents into neutral individuals and are dangerously playing with the natural nature of
The fact that there have been many advancements in biomedical technology over the years have given us the ability to cure and prevent diseases that have once devastated the human population. These breakthroughs have allowed people to live longer and healthier lives, yet others believe that it runs the risk of “playing God” and that such matters should be left into the hands of a higher power. Today, this ethical debate still continues to raise questions on whether these scientific breakthroughs are morally acceptable. While I support the use of scientific breakthroughs, I believe that it should only be used for human benefit to cure those who are suffering from cancer. This approach seems more reasonable than using this technology to choose one’s eye color or keep someone on life support just because it is something that can be done, whether or not that is acceptable or not.
The author furnishes strong points and his essay is convincing of positive outcomes provided with biotechnology. The author has effectively proven this claim because, “got me thinking-is there anything wrong with using medicine and biological engineering to modify our brains and bodies to improve or enhance them” (p.693). Firstly, the anti-meliorists (people who believe that the world cannot improve) view those who seek bioethics as being egotistical. This argues that we should accept ourselves as we were created and not alter who we were subjective to be.
It is culturally expected that as a human being’s age increases, so does the amount of control they have over their own lives. However, when adolescents are allowed to have too little or too little great amount during their formative years, it can adversely affect their decision making process. In The Walls Around Us, Nova Ren Suma crafted young adult characters who, due to either having not enough or too much control over their own lives, react violently when placed in stressful situations.
With a consequentialist tone of approach, he describes human society having an imbalance between two ideals: the acceptance of oneself as a gift and the strive for perfection. The usage of technology for enhancement purposes pushes us away from the first and more towards the latter. Bioethics’ main principle revolves around the concept of morality, defined by beliefs regarding actions that are often split between being right or wrong in interpretation and character (Vaughn). Sandel upholds to this stance, confronting it with our own ideology that through the pronouncement of terms of biotechnology, we seem to accept more than reject what is brought up in the culture of society, this type of thinking reaffirming our current beliefs of the nature of controversial
The evolution of technology has been hand in hand with the human subjugation of the earth, but the question persists, when does the use of technology go too far? Advances in medical science have increased the average human lifespan and improved the quality of life for individuals. Medical science and biology are steadily arriving at new ways to alter humans through the use of advanced genetic alteration. This technology gives rise to the question of how this new technology ought to be used, if at all. The idea of human enhancement is a very general topic, since humans are constantly “enhancing” themselves through the use of tools.
If we are not responsible for biotechnology and cloning, human nature can be altered into a new type of “human” or rather we will create something inhuman. Modern day biotechnology and cloning are advancing so quickly that it brings concern to human nature. With the rapid advancements, life may be able to be prolonged for eternity. Some argue that because cloning stem cells is beneficial to humanity, it is ethical.
Recent breakthroughs in the field of genetics and biotechnology have brought attention to the ethical issues surrounding human enhancement. While these breakthroughs have many positive aspects, such as the treatment and prevention of many debilitating diseases and extending human life expectancy well beyond its current limits, there are profound moral implications associated with the ability to manipulate our own nature. Michael Sandel’s “The Case Against Perfection” examines the ethical and moral issues associated with human enhancement while Nick Bostrom’s paper, “In Defense of Posthuman Dignity” compares the positions that transhumanists and bioconservatists take on the topic of human enhancement. The author’s opinions on the issue of human genetic enhancement stand in contrast to one another even though those opinions are based on very similar topics. The author’s views on human enhancement, the effect enhancement has on human nature, and the importance of dignity are the main issues discussed by Sandel and Bostrom and are the focus of this essay.
...ictions that early intervention can reduce crime and actually divert children and teens from a path of criminal behavior (Nauert.) It is emphasized that when professionals, teachers, and other people involved with youth and young adults neglect to recognize and treat ADHD, there are likely to be detrimental consequences for both mental health and social outcomes. These results include the consumption and high costs of resources that must be used to respond to these behaviors. ADHD is perceived to be an easily treatable condition that is associated with readily accessible interventions which can be extremely successful in treating symptoms and behavior problems. Because of the failure to recognize and/or treat ADHD, however, the wide range of potentially negative effects of the behavioral problems it generates create significant obstacles for society and individuals.
Imagine that you are able to teleport to the not too distant future. In this world you discover that disease and poverty are no longer causes for human suffering, world hunger has become eliminated from society, and space travel is as easy as snapping your fingers. Cryonics, nanotechnology, cloning, genetic enhancement, artificial intelligence, and brain chips are all common technologies at a doctor’s office. You gasp as a friendly sounding electronic voice cries out, “Welcome to the future Natural!” You are unsure of whether being called a Natural is an insult or not, so you feign a half-hearted hello at the posthuman in front of you. Getting over the initial shock you ask the posthuman, “Who are you?” The posthuman gives an electronic sounding chuckle and shakes his head. He replies, “I am a Posthuman, and you Natural, are in Utopia. Welcome.”
Further, brain imaging studies noted differences in scans of adolescents and adults while performing tasks. It was theorized that the differences in teens’ brains were the cause of the turmoil and the myth evolved to the belief that teenagers are less motivated and put less effort into tasks (Epstein, 2007)--some see them as rebellious and irresponsible. It is now known that turmoil is not an inevitable part of human development. The author argued that differences between the teen brain and adult brain scans are not necessarily evidence of immaturity, deficits in reasoning, intelligence, cognition, or in any other function of the brain. He states that the studies may indicate a correlation, but there is no evidence of causation. Further evidence that turmoil is not inevitable can be seen in studies of other industrialized nations.
One major change to the brain during adolescence is that which affects an adolescents’ need for sensation seeking. Because of the changes in dopaminergic activity, rewards may seem even more rewarding to adolescents (Steinberg, 2009). This mixed with the idea of the personal fable can result in dangerous outcomes for the individual (Steinberg, 2011, p. 62). The addition of peers to a vehicle while driving significantly increases the risk of an automobile accident. Considering this along with the research rega...
Throughout history, human beings have struggled to achieve control over nature. Now, in the twentieth century, with all of the scientific advances in computers and medicine, humans have come closer than ever to reaching this ultimate goal. However, along with the benefits of these new and rapidly increasing scientific advancements come moral, ethical and social issues that need to be given consideration. The Computer Revolution has not only vastly improved communication and produced amazing amounts of information, but has raised questions of human rights, privacy and social implications. While medical research has achieved medical benefits not even conceivable in the past, it has also raised major ethical and moral issues. Humans must consider all of these things when making decisions or judgments about human control over nature.
The concepts of human enhancement and biotechnology are fairly new terms in the world of ethics and medicine. These words, although far from being unfamiliar, are not often heard in the medical field except in special cases. However, in the past few years, the research and use of biotechnology is on the rise and becoming more prevalent under certain situations. This week’s reading focuses on the issues of biotechnology in a historical and modern context, yet also addresses the pros and cons of such developments.
During adolescence emotional reactivity is heightened, and the social environment is changing as adolescents spend more time with their peers than adults (Casey, 2008). To an adolescent, the value of positive information, as well as negative information may be exaggerated which leads to greater emotional reactivity and sensitivity during this growth period (Casey, 2008). This can heighten the incidence of addiction and the onset of psychological disorders (Casey, 2008). There are various theories that attempt to explain why adolescents engage in risky behaviour. One of these theories by Yurgelun-Todd stems from human adolescent brain development, and proposes that cognitive development during the adolescent period is associated with increasingly superior efficiency of cognitive control and affective modulation (Casey, 2008). This theory also suggest...
The procedures that will be the future of modern medicine currently fall into the realms of taboo and fictional. These procedures encompass every aspect of medical science, from exploration of the human body, curing diseases, to improving a person’s quality of life. Many of these procedures are not very well known, while a few have been in the spotlight. These procedures include cloning, nano-robotics, retro-viruses, and genetic manipulation via gene-specific medications. For any serious breakthroughs in modern medical science, we must embrace these new forms of treatment instead of shying away from them. Second, I’ll attempt to explain how these methods and procedures could benefit mankind.