Genetic Engineering: a Blessing Or an Unethical Disaster? by Charlotte Morrow

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October 16, 2020 Genetic Engineering: A Blessing or an Unethical Disaster? By Charlotte Morrow Would you believe me if I said there was a way to eliminate genetic disorders? Modern advances in genetic engineering have made this a reality. Recent research suggests we will soon be able to target deleterious traits in humans, rendering neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson's disease. What are Eugenics? Throughout the 20th century, eugenics were not socially acceptable because they involved the sterilization of thousands of humans to eliminate “undesirable traits” such as diseases, and disabilities. Modern eugenics has improved scientifically and ethically and is now more commonly called human genetic engineering. We are able to alter genotypes to improve the health of an individual. The appalling history of eugenics combined with the nature of altering genetic traits makes ethics and human rights key considerations in modern eugenics research. https://www.alamy.com Genetic Altering Technology CRISPR is an advanced form of genetic technology. It allows scientists to edit genomes and modify the function of specific genes by injecting a DNA construct into an organism. Which target’s a specific gene and cuts it off. This mechanism can be used to avoid the inheritance of multiple genetic diseases (ex. cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia). https://www.genengnews.com/magazine /328/do-crispr-risks-outweigh-rewards/ Does CRISPR have any limits? CRISPR technology will one day be capable of genetically designing humans. By using an embryo scientists are able to inject any genes they want to be expressed. If all humans become genetically designed without disease or harmful traits we would have to account for what affects this would have on the generic population. “The more control people have over the ability to design their children, the bigger the moral questions that raises - up to and including, who decides what constitutes a genetic problem that needs to be ‘fixed’?” –John Oliver https://theday.co.uk/stories/debate-rages-as-first-designer-babies-born There are many ethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering. With technology advancing rapidly, human rights and ethical considerations need to be at the forefront of all eugenics projects. Works Cited Human testing, the eugenics movement, and IRBs. Nature.com. [accessed 2020 Oct 14]. https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/human-testing-the-eugenics-movement-and- irbs-724/ Microrao.com. [accessed 2020 Oct 14]. https://microrao.com/micronotes/genetic_engineering.pdf Richards A, Welsh C. The history of eugenics. Mun.ca. [accessed 2020 Oct 14]. https://www.mun.ca/biology/scarr/Bio4250_History_of_Eugenics_2018Nov22.pdf Vizcarrondo FE. Human enhancement: The new eugenics. The Linacre quarterly. 2014;81(3):239–243. Young C, Lang F, Papadopoulos L, McFadden C. 11 real examples of genetically modified organisms: Marvels or monsters. Interestingengineering.com. 2020 Apr 28 [accessed 2020 Oct 14]. https://interestingengineering.com/11-real-examples-of- genetically-modified-organisms-marvels-or-monsters .

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