The Engineering of Human Genetics in Dreams and Nightmares

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Recommended: Human genetic modification

Since the beginning of scientific research, the information discovered has led to many technological breakthroughs and advancements at a rapid pace. The velocity of the incoming discoveries may allow one to overlook the powerful emphasis we as humans hold over human life itself. While human research has been developing an understanding of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) since Friedrich Miescher isolated the double-helix shaped molecule, efforts in recent decades to map the human genome have instigated a great amount of opportunity to the potential manipulation of the basic elements of life. This potential had escalated to a reality by 2001, as the first genetically altered babies had been born and were confirmed by scientists to be genetically altered. These successful operations have sparked a mass overflow of possibility and further technological advancements with regard to human genetic modification (Whitehouse). While there is an enormous amount of potential in human genetic modification, there is an equal amount of controversy that questions the ethics of such practices. For example, should the ability to modify a child’s genetic code be viewed as a technological possibility, or should it be a social obligation to ensure that all children are disease-free? Should it be the parents’ right to modify their unborn child’s genetic code to whatever they wish or see fit? Or should the fetus hold the right to live a life without genetic modification? There are many valid arguments for both positive and negative aspects of human genetic engineering. To make a claim concerning the ethics of human genetic engineering, one must analyze each potential point in order for their opinion to hold validity.
Human genetic engineering without a dou...

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...gels. Dir. Frauke Sandig. 2005. Film. 19 Feb. 2014.
Evans, J. H. Playing god: Human genetic engineering and the rationalization of public bioethical debate. Chicago: The University of Chicago, 2002. Print.
Hindmarsh, Richard. “The Problems of Genetic Engineering.” Peace Review 12.4 (2000): 541-547. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2014
Murray, Peter. “US SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT GENES CAN BE PATENTED.” Singularity Hub 22 04 2013, n. pag. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. http://singularityhub.com/2013/04/22/us-supreme-court-to-decide-whether-or-not-genes-can-be-patented/.
Whitehouse, David. “Genetically altered babies born.” BBC NEWS [UK] 04 05 2001, n. pag. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1312708.stm
Winston, Morton E., and Ralph D. Edelbach. Society, Ethics, and Technology. 4th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Publishing Co. 2012. Print.

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