Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering

"Just as the success of a corporate body in making money need not set the human condition ahead, neither does every scientific advance automatically make our lives more meaningful". (Wald 45). These words were spoken by a Nobel Prize winning biologist and Harvard professor, George Wald, in a lecture given in 1976 on the Dangers of Genetic Engineering. This quotation states that incredible inventions, such as genetic engineering, are not always beneficial to society. Genetic engineering is Ñ„altering the genetic material of cells and/or organisms in order to make them capable of making new substances or performing new functionsц (Wald 45). It is also one of the top controversial issues of the 20th century (Epstein 1). Many believe that continuing to provide genetically constructed inventions in this world is ethical, which means that these inventions conform to oneÐ-s moral standards (Epstein 5). Others argue that such inventions as human clones, which are genetically constructed humans, and other genetically created figures, are wrong and should be stopped (Epstein 5). Overwhelming textual evidence proves that genetic engineering is not beneficial to society. Accordingly, genetic engineering is unethical and therefore should be stopped.

One reason why genetic engineering should cease is because genetic engineering disrupts society's moral values and causes society to act out in destructive ways. An online survey done by Time Magazine in 1997, found that 11% of those who were interviewed believe that if clones are created in the future, the genetically created humans will only be good for Ñ„target practiceц (Epstein 2). Another survey by the same magazine was conducted and found that 50% of those who were questioned believe that clones should be treated as lower beings and should not be given the same rights as unaltered humans (Epstein 2). Furthermore, a similar survey, completed by MacLeans Magazine in 1993, reported that 11% of those interviewed confirmed that if technology was able to change defects within their unborn child, they would not hesitate in changing the childÐ-s genes in order for the child to be born Ñ„normalц (Epstein 3). The choice to create oneÐ-s own child will have many believe that the better the genes, the better the child. These statistics, without a doubt, reveal that genetic engineering will be harmful to society if certain means are available to them. Although these statistics cannot be applied to everyone, it does prove that unethical occurrences will transpire if genetic engineering is continued. Such consequences as segregation between altered and unaltered humans, civil war, mistreatment and disrespect of cloned humans and other severe damages will occur if genetic engineering is continually approved by science. In order to save society from future destruction, genetic engineering should be stopped. Clearly, genetic engineering causes unethical occurrences in society and should cease.

The second reason genetic engineering is unethical and should be stopped is due to the fact that it involves reconstructing nature, which is not the job of society. Genetic engineering could potentially breed new animal and plant diseases, new sources of cancer, novel epidemics and other serious problems in which nature cannot conquer (Epstein 4). Many scientists argue that genetic engineering has a positive outcome, and occurrences such as diseases or other casualties in natureÐ-s balance should be ignored (Bereano 18). Co-discoverer of the DNA code and Nobel Laureate, Dr. James D. Watson, has continuously disregarded the risks of genetic engineering (Bereano 19). In 1979, he wrote the following about possible diseases that might be inadvertently created through genetic engineering: Ñ„I would not spend a penny trying to see if they existц (Bereano 19). The above statement clearly shows that society cannot depend on the high priests of science to make ethical decisions (Bereano 18). Too much is at stake. Unfortunately, many scientists choose to ignore the faults of genetic engineering in order to continue researching (Bereano 20). Stephan Hawking, a renowned physicist and cosmologist, has commented often and publicly on the future role of genetic engineering. He believes that: Ñ„For