Ethics & Genetic Engineering

Ethics & Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is nothing but the technology by means of which genetic material is scientifically engineered to replicate the original genetic material in living organism be it plants, animals or even human beings. Genetic engineering involves creation of recombinant DNA by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from similar or dissimilar organisms. Genetic engineering is the collection of techniques

THE ETHICS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING • 20th was a golden age of computing, the 21st century is the DNA age. • Verge of being able to transform, manipulate, and create organisms for any number of productive purposes. • E.g. medicine, to agriculture, to construction and even computing, we are within reach of an age when manipulating the genetic codes of various organisms, or engineering entirely new organisms, promises to alter the way we relate to the natural world.

THE ETHICS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING cont… • Genetic engineering has the potential to improve our health and well-being dramatically, revolutionize our manner of living, help us to conserve limited resources, and produce new wealth.

Ethical Concerns Objections to Genetic Engineering as Inherently Wrong. • Some people object to any tinkering with the genetic codes of humans, or even of any life form. • Some religious critics perceive genetic engineering as “playing God”. • Other objectors argue from secular principles, who claims that it violates the inherent “dignity” of humans.

Ethical Concerns • Religious objections assume the existence of some creator whose will is defied by genetic engineering, and secular objections assume that life in its “natural” state, unaltered by human intention, is inviolable because of its inherent dignity.

Ethical Concerns – Religious objections to genetic engineering. – Secular objections to genetic engineering. 4. Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome (Self Mutilation)

Ethical Concerns • The biggest ethical issue in genetic engineering is about the concern over creating living creatures out of genetic material. Human cloning or even crossing animal and human genes to create living creatures will lead to the emergence of a different type of creatures. • Genetic engineering for creation of life forms is similar to ‘playing God’ and taking control of creation and destruction of life on earth. • Genetic engineering to cure diseases and health conditions is a great benefit, the possibilities of its misuse are plenty.

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