Gene Therapy Argumentative Essay

Gene therapy is a topic of debate that has numerous moral dangers because of its ability to alter the genes in the body, which violates the beliefs of many environmentalists and people with strong religious faiths. These moral dangers began with a simple genetic alteration of organisms, such as crops, however the lack of development in the modification of human genes is the only aspect stopping gene therapy from one of the largest disputes: demolishing the original nature of the human race. Since technology is continuously becoming more advanced , gene therapy could consequently have the ability to amend genes in ways that even scientists begin to question the moral dangers that come with research. Human embryo research, germ-line engineering

Since the allowance of embryo research, it has become possible for scientists to configure and discontinue the growing process of human life without consideration of the life that could derive from the embryo itself. Essentially, the annihilation of the embryo is a moral danger because it takes a human life before it can actually begin, which is the reason why sixteen countries decided to pass laws inhibiting the use of human embryo research on November of 2001. Although these countries have set limitations, there are other countries that permit the research “only on extra embryos left over from in vitro fertilization clinics” (Fukuyama). The fact that these left over embryos are technically considered undesirable and allowed to be killed is also considered a moral danger itself by numerous religions. These religious supporters believe all life is precious and should always be wanted. This aspect, as well as human embryo research as a whole, is potentially dangerous and could eventually lead to other moral dangers, such as germ-line

These moral dangers began with a simple genetic alteration of organisms, such as crops, however the lack of development in the modification of human genes is the only aspect stopping gene therapy from one of the largest disputes: demolishing the original nature of the human race. Since technology is continuously becoming more advanced , gene therapy could consequently have the ability to amend genes in ways that even scientists begin to question the moral dangers that come with research. Human embryo research, germ-line engineering and cloning are only three prime examples of the moral dangers that are mentioned in Francis Fukuyama’s article titled “Gene Regime” In his article he discusses the dangers that can ultimately result for gene