I think that human genetic modification is okay when it is preventing a bad trait like disease, however, it isn't okay when it is editing vanity traits. I am not entirely sure I would trust the future to use and further develop this information only for the prevention of disease.
I think that this is a good concept. I believe that when you are curing diseases, the last thing all the future terminally sick people need is the press and others jumping out and saying "Wait! No no no, that's not ETHICAL! No! Don't save lives! That's an awful idea!" I think that what we really need to worry about is overprotective or vain parents using this technology to change things like gender. It's a powerful tool, and it shouldn't be used for vanity. Like Owen, I definitely wouldn't trust future (possibly genetically modified) people to use this amazing ability wisely and well.
I found this article very interesting. I agree with both Emerson and Owen that I do not think that people of the future would be able to use this very incredible concept well and responsibly. I do believe though that they should not focus on ethical vs. nonethical if genetic mutation could possibly be harnessed to save lives. Right now I believe that this research is to advanced for present day, but when this ability is put to action it would only do ethical GOOD. If you are about to die from sickness, I don't really think people care about the ethics in this situation. I also agree with Emerson in the fact that only certain people should be able to use this technology, because people can get out of hand. Such as, people that wish to genetically modify characteristics to fit their liking and need. Overall, very interesting article, and if this power was harnessed could change humankind for the better.
I think that genetic modification has many different applications, some of them useful and perfectly ethical in our world, and some others used for darker purposes, such as alteration of one's self solely for vanity. Let me first talk about the way this new technology would be used for good. It could be utilized in many ways, the first being abolition of deadly virus' such as cancer. Professors in genetics would be able to single-handedly extract the individual cells, and do so without harming the rest of the body. The curing of this sickness usually requires chemotherapy, which destroys vital neighboring cells adjacent to those hostile. Secondly, it could be used to genetically examine unborn babies for sings of an incurable condition or disability. Parents could then modify the child in order to prevent these disorders, therefore improving the child's life. There is one problem with this, though. Allowing genetic modification before birth could be used in darker, more selfish ways. This reminds me of a film I recently watched, dubbed, "My Sister's Keeper". It followed the life of a little girl who had been genetically modified to become a sort of supplement to her sister, who was chronically ill and close to death. The younger of the two sisters was incredibly emotionally harmed and perturbed by this, and eventually committed suicide to prove to her family that she controlled her life. While this was only a concept, over-exaggerated by Hollywood, it could become reality should this happen frequently. There have already been cases of it, and with easily accessible modification, it could become a more common occurrence. Now, moving on to the less desirable applications this process might imply. The most important factor here is if the alteration of once's appearance is taken to such a degree as to violate morality. We have already experienced how plastic surgery and cosmetics can go too far, and I think that with having the ability to genetically modify yourself comes with greater responsibility than the average human can handle. Thank you for listening! Please respond with any counterarguments or disagreements!
4 comments:
I think that human genetic modification is okay when it is preventing a bad trait like disease, however, it isn't okay when it is editing vanity traits. I am not entirely sure I would trust the future to use and further develop this information only for the prevention of disease.
I think that this is a good concept. I believe that when you are curing diseases, the last thing all the future terminally sick people need is the press and others jumping out and saying "Wait! No no no, that's not ETHICAL! No! Don't save lives! That's an awful idea!" I think that what we really need to worry about is overprotective or vain parents using this technology to change things like gender. It's a powerful tool, and it shouldn't be used for vanity. Like Owen, I definitely wouldn't trust future (possibly genetically modified) people to use this amazing ability wisely and well.
I found this article very interesting. I agree with both Emerson and Owen that I do not think that people of the future would be able to use this very incredible concept well and responsibly. I do believe though that they should not focus on ethical vs. nonethical if genetic mutation could possibly be harnessed to save lives. Right now I believe that this research is to advanced for present day, but when this ability is put to action it would only do ethical GOOD. If you are about to die from sickness, I don't really think people care about the ethics in this situation. I also agree with Emerson in the fact that only certain people should be able to use this technology, because people can get out of hand. Such as, people that wish to genetically modify characteristics to fit their liking and need. Overall, very interesting article, and if this power was harnessed could change humankind for the better.
I think that genetic modification has many different applications, some of them useful and perfectly ethical in our world, and some others used for darker purposes, such as alteration of one's self solely for vanity. Let me first talk about the way this new technology would be used for good. It could be utilized in many ways, the first being abolition of deadly virus' such as cancer. Professors in genetics would be able to single-handedly extract the individual cells, and do so without harming the rest of the body. The curing of this sickness usually requires chemotherapy, which destroys vital neighboring cells adjacent to those hostile. Secondly, it could be used to genetically examine unborn babies for sings of an incurable condition or disability. Parents could then modify the child in order to prevent these disorders, therefore improving the child's life. There is one problem with this, though. Allowing genetic modification before birth could be used in darker, more selfish ways. This reminds me of a film I recently watched, dubbed, "My Sister's Keeper". It followed the life of a little girl who had been genetically modified to become a sort of supplement to her sister, who was chronically ill and close to death. The younger of the two sisters was incredibly emotionally harmed and perturbed by this, and eventually committed suicide to prove to her family that she controlled her life. While this was only a concept, over-exaggerated by Hollywood, it could become reality should this happen frequently. There have already been cases of it, and with easily accessible modification, it could become a more common occurrence. Now, moving on to the less desirable applications this process might imply. The most important factor here is if the alteration of once's appearance is taken to such a degree as to violate morality. We have already experienced how plastic surgery and cosmetics can go too far, and I think that with having the ability to genetically modify yourself comes with greater responsibility than the average human can handle. Thank you for listening! Please respond with any counterarguments or disagreements!
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