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Distorted Understanding of Genetic Engineering Discussion around genetic engineering and reproductive technologies always evolve around preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) -- the method by which early human embryos are genetically removed and then discarded or placed back in the uterus. Ronald Green’s argument in his article Building Baby from the Genes Up is based on an excessively basic understanding of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and genomic science. Green argues that “genomic science is racing toward a future in which foreseeable improvements include reduced susceptibility to a host of diseases, increased life span, better cognitive functioning, and maybe even cosmetic enhancement such as whiter, straightener teeth” (180) is deceiving when we consider the ethical issues of PGD. The risks of misapplication of PGD can lead to eugenics, destruction of embryos and can be used towards non-medical traits such as cosmetics enhancement and the fact of selecting offspring traits itself can be a problem to society. Green in one of his four major concerns against genetic manipulation and states the horror of eugenics but …show more content…
Green distorts the process because PGD doesn’t always work and human traits are influenced by many genes connections. Regene Nolan in her Bio-ethic project of Selection of the best possible child: should relative morals and opinions determine the next generation discusses that after PGD is performed the embryos that are considered free of the genetic problem are placed back in the uterus but the embryos with the genetic disorder are destroyed. Therefore, one of the consequences of PGD is the destruction of
Usage of genetic modification to pick and chose features and personality traits of embryos could conceivably occur in future times. Wealthy individuals could essentially purchase a baby with built-in genetic advantages (Simmons). Ethically, these seem immoral. Playing God and taking control over the natural way of life makes some understandably uneasy. Ultimately, religious and moral standpoints should play a role in the future of genetic engineering, but not control it. Genetic engineering’s advantages far outweigh the cost of a genetically formulated baby and
After the discovery of genetically altering an embryo before implantation, “designer babies” was coined to describe a child genetically altered “to ensure specific intellectual and cosmetic characteristics.” (“Designer Babies” n.p.). This procedure combines genetic engineering and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to make sure certain characteristics are absent or present in an embryo (Thadani n.p.). The procedure also includes taking an embryo to be pre-implementation genetically diagnosed (PGD), another procedure that doctors use to screen the embryos (Stock n.p.). An embryo’s DNA goes through multiple tests to obtain an analysis of the embryo, which will list all the components of the embryo including genetic disorders and physical traits such as Down syndrome, blue eyes, and brown hair, for instance (Smith 7). Although the use of PGD is widely accepted by the “reproductive medical community” and the modifying of disorders or diseases is to a degree, once the characteristics are no longer health related “72% disapprove of the procedure” (“Designer Babies” n.p.). At this point the parents make decisions that would alter their child’s life forever and this decision is rather controversial in the U...
In recent years, great advancement has been made in medicine and technology. Advanced technologies in reproduction have allowed doctors and parents the ability to screen for genetic disorders (Suter, 2007). Through preimplantation genetic diagnosis, prospective parents undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) can now have their embryo tested for genetic defects and reduce the chance of the child being born with a genetic disorder (Suter, 2007). This type of technology can open the door and possibility to enhance desirable traits and characteristics in their child. Parents can possibly choose the sex, hair color and eyes or stature. This possibility of selecting desirable traits opens a new world of possible designer babies (Mahoney,
PGD has proven effective in patients who are of advanced age, have had recurrent miscarriages or repeated IVF failure and are either carriers of chromosomal diseases or have genetic history of such. PGD is used with an IVF to identify chromosomal mutations and genetic defects in embryos, where a cell from IVF is removed for genetic testing before implanting it into the uterus. This can either be performed as polar body biopsy,
Hayes’s article is a critique of Greens but also provides many key argumentative points against the use of genetic modification. Having access to the technology and knowledge to provide children with either less of a chance or no changes to receive hereditary diseases like cancer makes the case of using genetic modification much stronger but with regulations and restrictions we can make sure it is only used in specific cases, avoiding misuse. Hereditary is a term used to describe something that is passed from parent to child, in most cases its specific genes like baldness, height, and hair color but in other, more dangerous cases, it can refer to passing of genetic diseases like hemophilia, dementia, and specific types of cancer. Reading through Robert Green’s, Building a Baby from the Genes Up, provides readers with an insight into the latest news in genetic modification.
What do one think of when they hear the words “Designer Babies”? A couple designing their own baby of course, and it’s become just that. Technology has made it possible for there to be a way for doctors to modify a babies characteristics and its health. Genetically altering human embryos is morally wrong, and can cause a disservice to the parents and the child its effecting.
Picture a young couple in a waiting room looking through a catalogue together. This catalogue is a little different from what you might expect. In this catalogue, specific traits for babies are being sold to couples to help them create the "perfect baby." This may seem like a bizarre scenario, but it may not be too far off in the future. Designing babies using genetic enhancement is an issue that is gaining more and more attention in the news. This controversial issue, once thought to be only possible in the realm of science-fiction, is causing people to discuss the moral issues surrounding genetic enhancement and germ line engineering. Though genetic research can prove beneficial to learning how to prevent hereditary diseases, the genetic enhancement of human embryos is unethical when used to create "designer babies" with enhanced appearance, athletic ability, and intelligence.
People should not have access to genetically altering their children because of people’s views on God and their faith, the ethics involving humans, and the possible dangers in tampering with human genes. Although it is many parent’s dream to have the perfect child, or to create a child just the way they want, parents need to realize the reality in genetic engineering. Sometimes a dream should stay a figment of one’s imagination, so reality can go in without the chance of harming an innocent child’s life.
In today’s advanced world, modern technology has enabled humans to accomplish tasks once thought to be purely science fiction. We live in a world today where everything is instant and custom designed. Who would have ever thought that one day parents would be able to design their children? Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a “process [that] involves taking a 3day old embryo and pulling one of its six cells to test for genetic markers of disease.” (Edmonds0. Although this process is meant to help discover harmful diseases or complications like cancer, the idea of parents using this process to give their children what they consider “ideal traits” co0mes into question. Even though parents have a right to do what they think is best for their children, parents should not be allowed to genetically engineer their children because it can create new social and economic distinctions as well as destroy the idea that everyone is created equal no matter their differences.
Before entering into a discussion of genetics and politics, a few scientific definitions are essential to fully understand the arguments which will be presented. First, genetic engineering is the manipulation of heredity or the hereditary material; its goal is to "replace the activity of a defective gene by activating a dormant gene which has a similar function" (Suzuki & Knudtson, 135). There are two types of cells involved when discussing genetic engineering, somatic cells and germ-line cells. The first, somatic cells, are also known as "body" cells for they are short-lived and bounded by the life span of the individual patient. These "body" cells are not used in reproduction, and therefore not considered eugenic. For clarification purposes, eugenic is the "science which deals with all the influences tat improve and develop the inborn qualities of a race to the utmost advantage" (Suzuki & Knudtson, 213). The second type of cell associated with genetic engineering is the germ-line cell. Germ-line cells, also known as the reproductive cells, are passed on through the reproductive cycles. Since this type of cell has the ability to permanently alter a specific char...
Richard Hayes and Ronald Green definitely have two very different opinions on genetic modification. One believes it is the key to our future, and the other believes it is an idea best left in the past. Both give great arguments to their viewpoint, by giving some great real world examples of how genetic modification can be used to benefit human society, and potentially harm in. In the end, Green is the author that makes a stronger argument by being more in depth with his ideas and viewpoints and being more thorough while dis-assembling opposing arguments.
In class we watched the film "Gattaca". The movie follows the main character, Vincent, through a dystopian future that uses an advanced version of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). In our world, PGD is a medical treatment that involves screening multiple embryos prior to implantation and pregnancy for possible genetic diseases, giving parents the ability to choose the healthiest of the bunch and discarding the rest. However, in the movie they have a much more advanced form of PGD treatment, that gives parents the ability to screen for desired traits other than just possible diseases. Both the movie and PGD itself bring up very controversial questions regarding topics like possible discrimination and the nature of the treatment.
The best authors make an impact on their readers, and John Green is defiantly one of those types of authors. John Green is a New York Times bestselling author. With four books currently published, and a movie coming out in June, he has slowly become one of the most known authors within teenagers today. Aside from being an author, John and his brother created a YouTube channel called vlogbrothers which has recently reached over a million subscribers. He’s also traveled all over the world finding things to write his award winning novels about. John Green is a positive influence for teens because of the topics his books cover, his communication towards teens and how he presents a visual to things some people may not be aware of.
According to Linda MacDonald Glenn, J.D., L.L.M., “The introduction of these diseases to the human population could have devastating consequences” (Glenn). Human genetic engineering may also cause the production of unwanted mutations, such as developmental issues. The procedures that would be used for genetically modifying human cells would include numerous alterations to sperm, eggs, stem cells, or embryos before entering a woman’s uterus. This could potentially modify the growth and development of the fetus in ways that have not yet been thoroughly explored (Genetics and Public Policy Center).... ...
During the Progressive Era, eugenics was first perceived as a possible method to eradicate unfavored races and nationalist from American society. The eugenic movement soon became concerned with the creation of minimum wages since it could “[rid] the labor force of the ‘unemployable” and that “the most ruinous to the community is to allow them to unrestrainedly compete as wage earners.” (Leonard 213). The science grew rapidly as it “ it appealed to an extraordinary range of political ideologies, not just progressives” (Leonard 216). Eugenics also pushed for child labor bans “because the unfit poor would be unable to put their children to work and thus would have fewer children, a eugenic goal” (Leonard