Genetic Engineering: The Negative Impacts of Human Manipulation

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The scenes of a science fiction movie show presumably unrealistic scientific inventions. In today's world, time travel and cloning are only two of the countless topics that are seemingly unattainable ideas of the imagination. Saying that these events are within reach would be completely absurd. However, with recent scientific advancements, science fiction is now becoming more of a reality rather than a fantasy. Nevertheless, only about twenty-five years ago, genetic engineering fell into this same, idealistic category. Although genetic engineering was once a totally impractical thought, today, it is a prominent issue around the world. The most controversial subject of genetic engineering deals with the impact that the manipulation of humans will have on the earth. The genetic engineering of humans will negatively impact the world due to the resulting social issues, religious objections, and medical concerns.

Major social concerns of genetic engineering include the conformity of society, custody battles, and the power of parents and scientists to manipulate children's genes. The genetic engineering of humans provides scientists and parents with a sense of power in which they feel they know what kind of person is acceptable to live in society. This type of control among civilization will result in the discrimination of "weaker" members of the world who are not genetically enhanced (Apple). Society fears that this form of discrimination is too closely related to the horrifying Nazi control in Germany when Hitler attempted to perfect the country by killing those who did not meet his standards of living (Agar). Parents want what is best for their children, but oftentimes, with the social pressures to be perfect, feel as though thei...

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Bohlin, Ray. "Human Genetic Engineering." Bible.org. Bible.org- Worlds Largest Bible Study Site, 08 June 2010. Web. 24 Feb 2011. .

"Genetically Engineered Humans- Part 2." Organic Consumers Association. Organic Consumers Association, 29 Mar 2001. Web. 13 Feb 2011..

Johnson, Julie B.. "Genetic Engineering is Dangerous." Genetic Engineering: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Carol Wekesser. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc, 1996. Print.

Lee, Ellie. "Debating 'Designer Babies'." Reproductive Technologies. Pro Choice Forum, June 2006. Web. 13 Feb 2011. .

Lemonick, Michael. "Designer Babies." Center for Genetics and Society. CGS, 11 Jan 1999. Web. 13 Feb 2011. .

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