Gene Therapy In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World

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. It will then inform the reader of the effects it will

Diseases like cancer, AIDS, cardiovascular disease, cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer’s could potentially be cured (American Medical Association). However, serious risks can be associated with gene therapy. If a gene is added to the DNA, there is a possibility it may be inserted in the wrong place, which can lead to other harmful effects (Gene Therapy and Children). However, it also has the ability to positively effect patients lives. Once gene therapy is ready to be practiced in our society, deadly diseases caused by single gene defects will likely be wiped out and the suffering will end. Although this process is nearly perfected in Brave New World, the effects it has in society are endless. They are able to establish social classes by closely monitoring the embryos, “The lower the caste, the shorter the oxygen,” said Mr. Foster (Huxley 14). Although that may seem like torture, the world these people live in believe they are doing it for the well being of each citizen. The Director says, “that is the secret of happiness and virtue – liking what you’ve got to do. All conditioning aims at that: making people like their un-escapable social destiny” (Huxley 16). If our society could figure out how to cure certain genetic diseases, they would also have the ability to make peoples lives a little more

Clinical trials are research studies that help doctors determine whether or not a gene therapy approach is safe for people (Mayo Clinic). It is only being used for incurable diseases because it is so risky (Genetics Home Reference). However, The Human Genome Project has identified all 25,000 genes. This information will help scientists find more ways to cure and possibly prevent diseases. It will be years before gene therapy is used to treat certain diseases, but we are on the road to revolutionizing medicine and how it is used. In the future, we may be able to completely abolish certain genetic diseases (Gene Therapy and Children). The possibilities are endless. The future of gene therapy will be similar to the society in Brave New World. Throughout the book, they are practicing this regularly at the Central London Hatching and Conditioning Centre. The people know exactly how each embryo is going to turn out. “We also predestine and condition” (Huxley 13). This relates to gene therapy because in the future, it may be possible to treat an unborn fetus for a genetic disease (Gene Therapy and Children). The possibilities are truly