The Benefits of Human Genetic Engineering Essay - 1654 Words

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is a revolutionary procedure that utilizes in vitro fertilization to implant a healthy egg cell into the mother’s uterus after it is screened for mutations or other abnormalities. That way, only healthy eggs can develop to term and become beautiful, bouncing boys or girls. Designer babies have a bright future in the face of science because they are genetically engineered to be: disease free; viable donors for a sibling or parent; and with optional elimination of any severe cosmetic disorders that might develop,—without risk to human diversity in the future. One of the most well-known, wide-spread, and enigmatic diseases on this Earth is cancer. It sneaks its way into family blood lines and travels†¦show more content†¦If money were not in the equation, this might someday be a viable cure for cancers. If geneticists screened every embryo and removed the cancerous genes, they could potentially exterminate the disease! This would take years and not every child could be accounted for, but it would be a start. Embryo Screening is a Godsend for couples who might have otherwise passed on an inherited disease like Huntington’s. Huntington’s disease is degenerative, destroying nerve cells in the brain and affecting the use of muscles and hindering cognitive thinking. The â€Å"onset of [Huntington’s Disease] symptoms†¦ [can] occur anywhere from 40 to 70 years of age† (Norrgard). Most parents, at the time of onset, have already passed on the disease to their kids without knowing it. Pre-implantation could have prevented this from occurring. But what if the disease was a disability instead, like deafness or blindness? Most families turn to embryo screening as a way to ferret out harmful genes and eliminate disability but there is another side to PGD called â€Å"negative enhancement†. On this flip-side, â€Å"The technique [of PGD] also may†¦ [be used] to select an embryo likely to have the same disease or disability, such as deafness, that aff ects the parents† (Naik). A child who shared the parents’ disability would grow up accustomed and suited to the lifestyle, whereas a child not born with that disability might not be as comfortable in a household tailoredShow MoreRelatedHuman Genetic Engineering is Morally Justified Essay811 Words   |  4 PagesAffirmative—Human Genetic Engineering is Morally Justified When they are finally attempted†¦genetic manipulations will†¦be done to change a death sentence into a life verdict. In agreeing with this quote by James D. Watson, director of the Human Genome Project, I affirm today’s resolution, Human genetic engineering is morally justified. I will now present a few definitions. Human genetic engineering is the altering, removal, or addition of genes through genetic processes. Moral is pertainingRead MoreGenetic Engineering : The Field Of Biomedical Research1710 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic engineering is the latest experimental practice used in the world of biomedical research. This practice refers to humans modifying an animals’ genetic component in order to express a particular trait (Dale et al). The scientific community calls the animals produced by this practice as transgenic animals in order to distinguish between its wild type relative. This innovative technology paved ways for medical breakthroughs, along with th e expansion of human understanding towards the mechanismsRead MoreGenetic Engineering: Brave New World1012 Words   |  5 PagesGenetic engineering has been around for many years and is widely used all over the planet. Many people don’t realize that genetic engineering is part of their daily lives and diet. Today, almost 70 percent of processed foods from a grocery store were genetically engineered. Genetic engineering can be in plants, foods, animals, and even humans. Although debates about genetic engineering still exist, many people have accepted due to the health benefits of gene therapy. The lack of knowledge has alwaysRead MoreBenefits Of Genetic Engineering711 Words   |  3 PagesShould genetic engineering be allowed? â€Å"With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of DNA, and improve the human race.† - Stephen Hawking. Genetic engineering is the genetic modification of an organism’s phenotype, also known as an organism’s genetic makeup. Genetic engineering can have its advantages and disadvantages, but I believe there are more advantages than disadvantages. There are a number of benefits that we can only discover if scientists consider to study andRead MoreHow Genetic Engineering Should Not Be Researched For Ethical Reasons1452 Words   |  6 PagesCell Anemia, a genetic disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells. Without treatment, Jim would have a high chance of dying. However, Jim was given a second chance to achieve normality like his mother always wanted with the help of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering, â€Å"the process of manually adding new DNA to an organism† (Lincoln 1),can be used to treat genetic disorders such a s sickle cell Anemia, but there is a large percentage of people that say genetic engineering should not beRead MoreGenetic Engineering And The Human Existence1193 Words   |  5 Pages Why is genetic engineering crucial to the human existence? Initially, genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the process of manually adding new unique DNA into an organism. The objective is to add one or numerous new traits that are not already constructed in that particular organism. New DNA inserts in the host genome and immediately isolates and replicates the gene of interest by using molecular cloning methods to synthesize a DNA sequence; then inserting this construct intoRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Medical Perfection Or Playing God1280 Words   |  6 PagesThesis Statement â€Å"Genetic engineering differs from cloning in key ways. Whereas cloning produces genetically exact copies of organisms, genetic engineering refers to processes in which scientists manipulate genes to create purposefully different versions of organisms—and, in some cases, entirely new living things†, duplication of genetic cells is known as human cloning. Development of genetic engineering biotechnologies undermines the natural autonomy of life. Does genetic engineering interfere withRead MoreA Research On Genetic Modification1260 Words   |  6 Pagessparks the continuous debate on genetic modification, which concerns the purposes, benefits, and dangers of modifying an organism’s DNA . While advocates for the increased production of disease-resistant crops and advocates for immunizations by engineered genes consider genetic engineering as advantageous, many individuals believe that such technology poses a lot more physiological harm than it does benefits. It is important for scientists to consider all the benefits risks of modifying an agriculturalRead MoreUtilitarianism and Genetic Engineering1581 Words   |  7 PagesUtilitarianism and Genetic Engineering In the past thirty years, humans are witnessing a huge revolution in the genetic engineering industry. Having identified most of the Human Genome, gene sequencing has become programmed and extremely fast, and laboratory techniques in molecular biology allow for in-vitro fertilization and transfer of genetic material. Gene therapy and repair based on stem cells research allows for replacement of a defected allele in the DNA, and even a whole damaged tissue inRead MoreThe Importance Of Genetic Engineering1282 Words   |  6 PagesGenetic engineering is defined as the modification of the characteristics of an organism by altering its genetic material. Although the definition makes it seems clear and concise, it is far more complicated. This new advancement has caused a huge debate over the ethics and laws of what it is able to do. Genetic engineering is immensely important because of the potential benefits it contains and the advances it allows for in the future. The ultimate goal of g enetic engineering is to prevent, treat