The Need for Policy Makers to Regulate Human Genetic Engineering

1249 Words3 Pages

Human genetic engineering (HGE), a prevalent topic for scientists in research, is the process of manipulating genes in the human genome. Potentially, scientists can use the process of HGE to alter many biological and psychological human traits by gene modification. Currently, however, there is a large deficiency in information regarding HGE and its effects to the human body; creating a need for scientists to conduct more research and tests. Because of the many unknowns involving HGE it is necessary for policy makers to regulate HGE for the use by scientists. The first part of this paper will provide an overview of what HGE is and the processes involved with the technology of HGE. This paper will then analyze the potential risks associated with HGE, which include: safety risks and a potential threat to genetic diversity causing a decrease to the human life span. Furthermore, it will argue that these risks are directly linked to the use of HGE for individual benefit. Counter to these claims this paper will also consider the benefits of HGE, which are connected to the use of HGE for the benefit of the collective. The potential benefits include: the manipulation of genes to treat or cure diseases, and the potential increase to the human population life span through an increase in genetic diversity. The last part of the paper will assess the future of HGE and suggest that more research is needed to increase the knowledge of the possibilities of HGE, as well as the types of policies that should be put in effect by policy makers to control the use of HGE. All of these claims will use the support of two reference articles, the first written by Russell Powell, Guy Kahane and Julian Savulescu and the second written by Chris Gyngell. Powell ... ... middle of paper ... ...dicts a boost in genetic diversity and the human population life span. Therefore, policy makers need to structure regulations that support the benefits of HGE, they can do this by assessing the impact of HGE on the entire human population. HGE has an advantageous future for the human population in regards to our ability to fight disease and adapt to potential environmental changes. However, for this prediction to be accurate, regulations need to be set by policy makers that endorse the use of HGE for the benefit of the collective instead of the individual. Word Count: 1250 Works Cited 1. Powell R, Kahane G, Savulescu J. Evolution, genetic engineering, and human enhancement. Philosophy & Technology. 2012; 25(4): 439-58. 2. Gyngell, C. Enhancing the species: Genetic engineering technologies and human persistence. Philosophy & Technology. 2012; 25(4): 495-512.

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