ipl-logo

Gene Editing Vs. Gene Enhancements In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

1469 Words6 Pages

Lewis Thomas once said ¨the cloning of humans is on most of the lists of things to worry about from Science, along with behaviour control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers.¨ Scientists are always looking for more knowledge, much like Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein, a gothic horror novel by Mary Shelley, demonstrates the consequences of science. Science depends on how the people of the future choose to use it; in this case, gene editing. Gene editing is where DNA is inserted, deleted, or replaced.Gene enhancements are modifications to human traits. People most often get confused as to the difference between gene editing and gene enhancements. Gene editing should be used …show more content…

In the first place, gene enhancements should not be used for selfish reasoning. Enhancements come in many different forms , but in this case, gene editing does not. When it comes to gene enhancements, it is almost like cheating. Soon, the saying “that's how you were born” will be up to our parents. With gene enhancements, scientists could change the entire child. Individuals may want their offspring to be enhanced with a certain intelligence level, height, or eye color. “Some genetic testing companies today even go as far as to scientifically dubious essays they claim will allow you to assess if your child has inherited genes that could lead to, for example superior athletic performance” (Kapustij). Gene enhancements should only be used if they are absolutely necessary. Also, using gene enhancements for selfish reasoning is way more expensive compared to gene editing. “One concern is that enhancements technologies are not likely, at least at the outset, to be financially within the reach of many in the population,possibly putting them at even greater disadvantage than their wealthier counterparts”(Kapustij).Not only is it costly to have gene enhancements implanted, but it could also

Show More
Related
782 Words | 4 Pages

Genetically Modified Humans, the New GMOs? Given the opportunity, would you pick and choose the traits you would like in your baby? Well, according to Ronald M. Green’s article, “Building Baby from the Genes Up,” this type of genetic modification will be an inevitable norm in the near future. In his article, Green argues that by pinpointing and tweaking the genetic culprits in the human genome we could help prevent and possibly eliminate genetic disorders. Although he acknowledges that there are risks involved; Green does not suggest any limitations for such tinkering, he even goes so far as to mention the possibility of cosmetic enhancements.

Read More
1048 Words | 5 Pages

Ignoring the development of genetic modification can cause a total chaos when so many good things can come from this process. Cloning and genetic enhancing research needs to be further expanded and brought to the

Read More
1631 Words | 7 Pages

Humanity has been presented with innumerable ethical dilemmas since the beginning of our existence but one that stands out in our modern day is the subject of genetic enhancement. With the rise of genetic technology and widespread use of tampering with embryos genetic enhancement at this point seems like it is going to happen. But using genetics to alter the human condition is something that is widely debated across the globe and people fervently support both sides of the argument; should we use our knowledge of genetics to enhance humans? There seems to be a line drawn where on one side, enhancement is being used to prevent children from having diseases and on the other side, enhancement being used to enhance the rest of human capabilities.

Read More
342 Words | 2 Pages

Enhancements can come in many different forms. Most common enhancements are artificial limbs and organs, but the change in genes can lead to bigger solutions or problems. The technology already exists and is being tested, cells are being modified, cells are being

Read More
1352 Words | 6 Pages

Due to the fact that the production of designer babies is an extremely expensive process, only the rich would be able to afford it so a gap in society could be created, which in turn would only increase because the richer people would only get richer as a result of these new found genetic enhancements and the poor, poorer still. Another reason, which links to this idea of genetic enhancement is that we as humans would get carried away by correcting perfectly healthy babies with the aim to research a so-called ‘perfect’ human. Another consequence of this genetic editing is the fact that this technique is only in early stages, so tampering with the structure of genetics may actually have unintended consequences especially as genes often have multiple uses so whilst one aspect of a baby may be improved, another may be removed completely, creating more harm than good. Moreover, due to the experimental nature of all of these edits, the termination of embryos is extremely likely which would also be incredibly unfair to the baby as it has no choice in any of these decisions made on it by its parents, so how is it fair that someone else gets to decided what happens to them for them? A consequence of all of this enhancing is that it will cause a loss of individuality because if everyone is suddenly modified and given the

Read More
314 Words | 2 Pages

Genetic modification and cloning is the danger of too much knowledge. In the classic novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley the creature is created by various body parts which indicates how far human knowledge can go. In the novel, Dr. Frankenstein creates a creature with different human body parts. Creating a human that way is basically the same thing as genetic modification.

Read More
1956 Words | 8 Pages

In this case, the pros for gene alterations can vary from genetic disorder prevention, increasing life span and lowering the risk of inherited medical conditions, which was the first known reason and cause for gene alteration. Not only was this a medical breakthrough, but it was a life-saving procedure that occurred in 2000 to a boy named Adam Nash. His sister, Molly suffered from Fanconi’s Anemia, a “rare, inherited blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure,” which he would have inherited had he been created naturally ("What Is Fanconi Anemia?"). When Adam was born, blood cells from his umbilical cord were transplanted into his sister’s body, saving him from the disease. His birth, no matter how artificial, unquestionably served a vital purpose.

Read More
710 Words | 3 Pages

What does the future hold for genetic engineering? Imagine living in a world with no disease, no disabilities, and nothing that holds back a person. “Humans who have had their DNA genetically modified could exist within two years” (Knapton). That means any birth defects that have to do with the genes can be fixed. People could quite literary design the “perfect child”.

Read More
1695 Words | 7 Pages

In conclusion, genetic engineering is not right. Although it has shown to be beneficial in some areas, it seems as though the cons of this phenomenon far outweigh the pros of it. I believe that the possible pain it could cause should be avoided. Especially if the next step is to try it on humans.

Read More
954 Words | 4 Pages

The result will hurt the environment kids grow, as uniqueness, individuality and distinctiveness will slowly disappear. Genetic engineered babies are still being experienced. The whole method is allowing parents to chose their kids’ traits and pick the way they want the baby to look. In order to achieve that, doctors will remove sections of someone's DNA, and they will replace them with new segments.

Read More
707 Words | 3 Pages

Designing children’s genes is largely debated across the globe, but is it ethical? Geneticists have found a way to enhance children's genes to modify their appearance and behavioral traits. Many parents design their child’s genes and DNA. I do not believe this is right. The process can be harmful to the baby.

Read More
1104 Words | 5 Pages

Gene editing is about changing a child 's life by taking away an illness that would affect their future indefinitely.

Read More
456 Words | 2 Pages

Mutation in children is not uncommon and it has caused many children to be robbed of the chances that healthy children are born with. A parent blessed with the gift of a healthy child wouldn’t be able to understand the relief genetic engineering would be able to bring to parents of children born with haemophilia, cystic fibrosis, or muscular dystrophy. Not only would choosing the best traits in an organism be good for humans, but for animals and plants. As previously mentioned, plants would benefit in the sense that they will be able to get immunity to pests and their own types of diseases. Animals would be able to make their prime state by modifying their DNA.

Read More
1370 Words | 6 Pages

Gene editing is the alteration of a person’s genetic material to delete undesirable traits or to create desirable new ones. Scientists can identify a defective DNA strand to be cut out and changed, then they use a protein that acts like scissors to cut out the improper gene and cells, then a healthy strand of DNA is inserted at the cut site and enzymes repair it (Crow). The goal of gene editing is to treat genetic disorders. Gene editing could potentially decrease or even

Read More
1604 Words | 7 Pages

Genetic engineering in humans, as influencing and promising as it sounds, is actually a whole new area of discovery in which we know very little about, and making mistakes could be dire to an individual’s life. We know that this could lead to a breakthrough but it can end very badly, and also make humanity have a lack of genetic diversity between humans. There’s also the threat of a “perfect humanity” in which everyone has a planned course and there would seem to be no variation among humans which is what makes us feel unique and feel as though we have the ability to create an impact on society. We can acknowledge the benefits of genetically modifying in human beings, but we have to look at it without bias and acknowledge the fact that there is still a huge margin of uncertainty. Overall, genetically modifying human beings is

Read More

More about Gene Editing Vs. Gene Enhancements In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Related Topics

Open Document