Genetics by far
has become the most dominant subject of interest for many scientists. Its deep
mysteries interest and puzzle many who work with genetics and its branching
sciences. When Mendel first discovered that traits were inherited from parent
to offspring and that this was controlled by certain laws, it gave birth to the
study of genetics. Since then, genetics has developed itself into one of the
most powerful aspects of day to day life. From understanding simple inheritance
of traits and diseases, genetics is now concerned with genetically engineered
plants, fruits and sometimes controversial topics such as human genome project,
making of a super human and cloning.
When we think
about the future of genetics, we tend to think of all the things that were
believed to be impossible once upon a time. Things that were believed unlikely
to happen are now happening. Genetics can cure diseases, it can change lives,
it can cut down on fertilizer costs for plants etc. There are so many
advantages when it comes to advancing in genetics, but just like the world
balances on good and the evil, genetics and its uses can be challenged
ethically and morally. For example, there are certain things related to
genetics and its related sciences that are frowned upon by religious groups and
certain other groups. Here I will show you some of the benefits of genetic
engineering and how it’s ethically challenged.
Life expectancy:
tests are now done on worms with concerns on increasing life span of some earth
worms. With a single alteration of a gene, the worms’ enzyme activity changes
and life span increases. This could easily affect our lives in the future. With
more genetic research, this could apply to humans and someday genetics might be
able to change lives of many. Humans will be able to live longer. Retirement
ages will differ; elderly with more experience will now be preferred by
companies. People in general will be happier, healthier and pleasant.
But with such
changes, there will be drastic social fluctuations. There will be more elderly
in the society. People with age get weak and now they will have to live longer
with all the weaknesses. This will be a burden upon them. Ethically, we should
ask ourselves, is this just a starting brick to creating a slave race that
would enable us humans to exploit that certain race. If it’s possible to change
life expectancy, then it would be possible to change all sorts of genes that
would control other features. This would no doubt create social gaps and
possibly bring about more differences amongst us humans.
Genetic
engineering: today a lot of plants have been genetically modified to resist
disease and pests. Animals and plants can be
'tailor made' to show desirable characteristics. Genes could also be
manipulated in trees for example, to absorb more CO2 and
reduce the threat of global warming. Genetic Engineering could increase genetic diversity,
and produce more variant alleles which could also be crossed over and implanted
into other species. It is possible to alter the genetics of wheat plants to
grow insulin for example. Such breakthroughs are economically very sound;
it can greatly reduce labor costs and other costs such as pesticide costs
etc.GM fruits can be sold at a lower rate but with all that comes many
disadvantages too. Local farmers will not benefit from this and will suffer
economically. Nature is an extremely complex
inter-related chain consisting of many species linked in the food chain. Some
scientists believe that introducing genetically modified genes may alter food
chains and effect nature. Genetic engineering also has many ethical and moral
issues. So when we think of this ethically, it’s pretty clear that we are
crossing the boundaries. To a group, it’s a violation of Gods laws, to some
others it’s unnatural and immoral. We are not yet confident about the long term
effects of releasing the transgenic organism to the environment. It might be
harmful to the rest of the bio-life and it might be too big of a risk to take.
Genetics could
predict diseases and help avoid a genetically inherited disease (gene therapy):
In the future, with genetic mapping, we will be able to detect and identify
those genes that cause disease in humans. We will have a disease free society
or almost a disease free society with such advances in genetics. People will
live longer and happily. But even with that comes ethical issues. Some
religious groups claim that people are taking gods matters into their own
hands. This is just a religious concern and not a major disadvantage. Like mentioned
above, genetic mapping can selectively breed a superior or an inferior race
which could be controlled by another race. It’s very immoral to play around
with genes which will govern the rest of a person’s life. For example, a
mistake that would lead to a genetic disease could be paid for by that
genetically modified human for the rest of his life
Usage of fruit
flies and fish to study human genes: Fruit flies and fish have genes that are
similar to human genes. The scientists choose to study the fruit fly because
they have many genes with the same functions as human genes. Defects in the
fly's gene that is the equivalent of the genes in humans that cause brain
diseases cause the flies to lose brain function as they age, the same way the
diseases do in humans. This is important to humans because of Alzheimer's Parkinson's and many other motor neurone
diseases. There are no significant disadvantages but one could be animal
testing which is not acceptable. Research also consumes a lot of money, animals
and equipment must be handled with care and maintained. Most of these are
expensive. And if a cure is not found, it will be a waste of money.
Use of mice
and other animals for testing is no doubt an ongoing controversial topic at
large. It’s morally and ethically very wrong. They deserve to live as we do and
we human beings we are suppose to make sure that happens. It’s a known fact
that most people make use of animal testing for mere curiosity and has no
scientific base to it. Most animals are subjected to excruciating pain which is
frowned upon by many welfare and religious groups. Let’s just hope science will
find ways to move around animal testing
In
my opinion, all the point I mentioned above have its own advantages and
disadvantages. Today most of the people are just looking at the advantages and
if there is a gain, they will not consider any ethical or moral issue which
comes with it. What I suggest is that there should be a standard, where the
people needs to consider the values of ethics and to do what is best for the
mankind in the long run. The links which I have posted below will give you more
information on these topics.
Sources
- Micheal K Reiss, (2001). Improving
Nature: The science and ethics of genetic engineering. . (), pp.
- D Bruce, A Bruce, (1998). Engineering Genesis: the ethics of genetic engineering
in non human species. 1st ed. London: .
