The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Engineering

The ethics of genetic engineering has stirred many debates over the years. Genetic engineering, if successful, would be used to cure genetic illnesses such as Huntington’s and Down Syndrome. The idea of being able to cure previously incurable diseases makes people think that society will someday strive to cure even more impurities from the gene pool, such as obesity. People fear that humans are trying to play God. Genetic engineering has been brought to court many times, where individuals call for genetic engineering to be deemed unethical. Genetic engineering could be used to prevent a child from suffering from a devastating disease. Scientists would be able to tell from an early stage of pregnancy what disease the child has or could potentially develop . Babies would be born healthier. As much good that could come from genetic engineering, there is a darkside. People can just as easily change the eye color or hair color of their child. There is a fear that society could push for the use of genetic engineering for physical enhancements; it is very unsettling to think what the future could hold. With all the benefits that genetic engineering could bring, there is still the fear that this

This aspect works well because scientists would be able to tell if a child had the genetic illnesses and fix the problem before he or she was even born. Another way it benefits society is other problems your child might face throughout their lifetime, will be cut out because of the lack of an illness. (Waldman) In an article posted to The American Prospect by Paul Waldman, Waldman talks about how genetic engineering could take a great step forward for the health and well being of people affected by an illness. Waldman says “It might be a very good thing to take a few steps down the slope. Genetic engineering of this type is in its infancy.”