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Gene Therapy Argumentative Essay

944 Words4 Pages

Can you imagine undergoing a treatment that can essentially create havoc for your genes and your body? It’s hard to imagine, but it’s actually here. Gene therapy has been around since 1972 and is still under development before humans could undergo this process or treatment. It consists of using sections of DNA or specifically genes and has created a lot of controversy worldwide. However, there are a handful of people who argue that gene therapy is another possible treatment option for diseases such as hemophilia. Others believe that this treatment option is just “playing God [and as seen as being] ‘sacrilegious’” (Bose, 2010). Gene therapy is unethical, as it can greatly negatively impact human kind, because it can cause more disorders to arise, …show more content…

The most common argument made in favor of gene therapy is how it can provide one with hope that one day their disorder, such as Parkinson’s disease, can be cured so that they can live a normal and healthy life. Scientists believe that there is potential to replace cells. “We are constantly attacked by newer, more dangerous and vituperative types of germs and pathogens. Although many of such diseases can be treated or cured medically, there is no cure for genetic disorders unless defective cells are replaced by proper ones which is what gene therapy does” (“List of Pros and Cons of Gene Therapy,” 2015). However, despite the previous arguments, the negative effects that come with gene therapy outweigh the positive connotations. There are two types of gene therapy, somatic and germline. Both of them raise unethical questions, but germline therapy needs to be taken into account of. Germline therapy is “when DNA is transferred into the cells that produce reproductive cells, eggs or sperm, in the body. This type of therapy allows for the correction of disease-causing gene variants that are certain to be passed down from generation to generation” (“Is germline gene therapy ethical,” 2015). Meaning, not only will you be cured from the disease, but future generations will unlikely inherit that same disease. We shouldn’t be able to make the choice of the future. Let the

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The deliberation of bioethics in human cell and stem cell research has flip-flopped altercations between whether stem cell research corrupts the future or if basic ethical uses in clinical research are being held to its standards. The idea of having genetically altered drugs and cells sits with people the wrong way, and with that they have come to the decision that cell research will cause more problems than it stopping them. However, while a majority of people and scientists believe genetic engineering is an evil corruption of nature’s course, genetic engineering has the greatest potential to do something great for our future, but it is our moralistic responsibility to follow the rules of bioethics. The author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta

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As a society we are adapting, changing, and growing every day. Genetic modification is happening; many people are just not aware. Genetic engineering is great for society because it can cause many new advancements for the as in world with no diseases and a world without hunger. “There is a good case for exploring all ideas relevant to our current concerns, no matter where they lead” (Pinker 533). Although no one knows how far genetic enhancing and cloning could go makes it a dangerous idea, does not mean as a society that we ignore it.

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The federalist papers was a series of newspaper essays that have become a classic of American political. James wants to redefine the term “Republic”. Power to govern must come from the govern’s citizens. James Madison starts the most popular federalist papers by saying that one of the strongest arguments is the fact that it establishes a government to be able to control the violence and damage caused by fractions which is a group of people who gather together to protect their political opinions and views. Factions will always be a issue to deal with because the citizens will always have different opinions, some own more land than others, and some are more wealthy than others.

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Green briefly touches on gene therapy that aims to cure diseases in an individual. He also considers the fact that this is therapy is particularly risky and dangerous, he holds strong with his idea that, “if the disease is serious enough […] it is usually worth trying.” (pg. 56). Green then moves onto the second ‘square’ of this chapter-germline gene therapy. Green goes much more deeply into this section, mostly because this subject often

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Unlike many of the other authors examined thus far, Gert is much subtler in his argumentative approach by utilizing carful phraseology and ambiguity rather than decisive declarations. In the introduction of his article, Gert acknowledges that he is not an expert in genetics, but simply a philosopher setting out to resolve the controversy surrounding alteration of the human genome. After thoroughly describing his definition of morality, Gert claims, “The moral force of the objection [towards] genetic engineering… is that we do not know that there are no risks. A proper humility, that is, recognition that human knowledge is limited and that all human beings are fallible, is required for reliable moral behavior” (Gert 47).

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This allows for the cure of DNA mutation diseases, along with elimination of diseases from the human species. The opposition of CRISPR’s use states that technology is risky, will permanently change the human genome, and open the path of designer babies. The risk of CRISPR is minimal. Thus, the lives saved will for the greater good will outweigh the possible side effects. The worry of altering the genome can be viewed as not an issue as the elimination of diseases will increase the quality of life for people.

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The issue of modification through gene manipulation becomes increasingly complex when considering how this technology can be used as a means to unethical and harmful uses. In the article, Babies with Genes From 3 people could be Ethical, Panel Says, Rob Stein exposes various concerns about three gene donors in an embryo, including how a scientist, “Could introduce some new disease into the human gene pool or that scientists could try to do this for other reasons-nonmedical reasons, like create designer babies where parents pick the traits of their children.” Stein goes on to explain how the gene replacement procedure would take place, which continues to usher in a plethora of concerns as whether to allow Crispr technology be tested on a embryo.

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Therefore, if two parents are carriers of a certain gene that will disable their child, they can modify that gene to make a child that will not have that disability. As well as some parents will have designer babies to save another child they already have with a certain disease. In this method, parents will choose their child’s blood type and such in order for them to match that other diseased child and potentially give them their blood, marrow, and even organs. Genetically modifying a child’s chance of disease ensures that a child may live a life without potential disease and disability that they may have been more prone to had their parents’ not used this method. This also ensures a healthy life for a child that had a greater potential of having a medical condition due to their parents being carriers of that particular gene.

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I want you all to imagine a world with no diseases and maybe even no cancer. Seems pretty impossible right? Well, with gene therapy that could all change. B. Background and Audience Relevance: Gene therapy is essentially using genes as drugs for the treatment of human disease. In the future, this experimental technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into a patient’s cells instead of using medicine or surgery.

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As technology advances, more things become possible. One of these things is genetically modifying a baby, this is very wrong. Genetic modifying or genetic engineering is altering someone or something’s DNA. Scientists hope to cure diseases with this method but doing this can lead to some harmful effects. This process is very unethical.

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Should or should we not prohibit genetically engineered babies is the question to ask. After years and year of trying to figure out the cure for a disease like a mitochondrial disease, a group of professional on the topic believes that it would greatly benefit the baby ’s outcome exceptionally if their parents has harmful genetics. Most people concern would be how the baby would turn out because there have not been any clinical trials that prove that the genetics that is engineered properly work like they should. I personally believe that the genetics of baby should not be engineered, but I do believe that it should be up to the parent of the children since it is their child in the first place.

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But on the other hand, Genetic Engineering can possibly lead “Playing God” to being able to create Humans “designer babies” inevitably going against morals of various societies. “However, many fears that genetic manipulation may lead to unethical abuses--"playing God" with human life or weeding out "bad" genes through eugenics”

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The researchers then combine the broken gene with a healthy gene. This new healthy gene is now modified and free from the mutation it had before. Although many individuals’ ethics and morals stand in the way of gene editing, this technology affects society in many different

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Science has enabled us to thrive in a world where change is a must if an organism wishes to live. It has allowed for us to bend and twist the world at our feet, even having enough strength to repel the touch of death. Genetic engineering is the next scientific advancement that will stand close in the near future. It has the capability of modifying the food production process, elimination of diseases and disorders, and the guarantation of the best traits in an organism.

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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

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