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The use of genetic enhancement involves the implanting of genetic sequences or genetically modified organisms into a human. As technology grows, so does the opportunity for these enhancements. Humans have always wanted to improve as a species and eek opportunities are increasing for genetic enhancement. This will discuss some of the ethical issues involving human genetic enhancement. The purpose of gene enhancement is to improve human characteristics, i.e., intellectual, physical, and psychological beyond what is considered average (Isa and Shuri, 2018).
Is it considered ethical for a parent to have a genetically engineered child with superior thinking or other superior attributes to compete in this competitive world? For instance, parents may select genetically superior athletic or musical traits. Some believe it is not ethically appropriate to enhance human qualities. Others think they have a moral obligation to themselves and future generations to improve their lineage. There is debate as to how much enhancement is and what is considered to go beyond what is acceptable (Isa and Shuri, 2018). It would seem there would be a disadvantaged society that could not have access to engineering. They may be considered socially disadvantaged and discriminated against (Macpherson, Rogue, and Segarra, 2019).
One of the concerns is attempting to play God since this may change Godâs creation and transgress His laws. Others are concerned this is placing human life in the capacity of being manufactured rather than being entities of God. There is concern that life will be considered an experiment rather than an act of God (Isa and Shuri, 2018).
There is also a safety concern. Although genetic enhancements could be done, does it mean that they should be pursued? Are all safeguards intact to prevent error or damage to a human being? If so, then how will genetic defects be handled (Isa and Shuri, 2018)?
If parents seek genetic endowment of their offspring, the child may be forced into predestined characteristics their parents chose. They may not be able to author attributes of their own life. An example would be if parents want their child to be a superior athlete or musician, they could genetically engineer these traits. Then, their child would lose the autonomy to choose activities other than what is deemed necessary by their parents. I do not believe this is a good idea for a child to lose autonomy in life choices of activities. This human engineering is creating too competitive of a society. This detracts parents from appreciating human life as it was meant to be as opposed to creating what they may deem not perfect (Rueda, 2021).
I donât believe that genetic engineering will cause more significant inequalities. For instance, the rich can choose designer qualities for genetic engineering or enhancement. This will create a genetically transformed society leaving many by the wayside. Genetic engineering humans would possibly make an elite society. Yet, one may argue that for the human species to survive, it must embrace genetic engineering. My concern is this will reduce equality between society that is not engineered and a society that is engineered. It may be that there may be a division amongst genetically engineered individuals seeking superior traits compared to those who cannot afford genetic engineering (Metzl, 2019).
Although, one could argue that genetic engineering may help society survive conditions such as nuclear fallout or global warming. Although it is understood how human life evolved over the past 3.8 billion years, human values will drive priorities and determine how aggressive human engineering will become (Metzl, 2019).
References
Isa, N.M., and Shuri, M.F.H.S. (2018). Ethical concerns about human genetic enhancement in
the Malay science fiction novels. Science and Engineering Ethics, 24, 109-127.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11948-017-9887-1
Macpherson, I., Rogue, M.V., & Segarra, I. (2019). Ethical challenges of germline
genetic enhancement, Frontiers in Genetics, 10.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2019.00767
Metzl, J. (2019). How genetic engineering will reshape humanity. The Economist.
https://www.economist.com/open-future/2019/04/25/how-genetic-engineering-will-reshape-humanity
Rueda, J. (2021). From self-determination to offspring-determination? Reproductive autonomy
Procrustean parenting and genetic enhancement. Wiley Online Library, 88 (6). 1086-1110. https://doi.org/10.1111/theo.12349
Respond to post below: The use of genetic enhancement involves the implanting of
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