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Human genetic engineering Should we genetically modify humans?

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 Human genetic engineering Human genetic engineering is the genetic engineering of humans by modifying the genotype of the unborn individual to manipulate (Human genetic engineering, 2008) the type of traits that it will possess when born. With human genetic engineering, it is now possible for humans to have their desired genes, such as bigger eyes or a higher level of intellect. Immunization towards viruses can also be increased and diseases can be cured. However, there are many controversial issues surrounding the topic of human genetic engineering which will be discussed later on, as we try to answer the question, “Should humans be genetically modified?”  Somatic modifications and germline engineering There are two main types of human genetic engineering, Somatic modifications and germline engineering. Somatic modification involves adding (Human genetic engineering, 2008) genes to different types of cells, not specifically to the egg and sperm cells. Somatic modification is not inheritable. On the other hand, germline engineering in mainly restricted to adding genes to the egg and sperm cell or very early embryos. Germline engineering is inheritable, meaning that it will be passed on to future generations and not only to the certain child whose DNA was modified.

Negative and positive genetic engineering There are two types of genetic engineering that applies to humans, negative genetic engineering and positive genetic engineering. Negative genetic engineering is used to remove hereditary disorders and involves using a non-pathogenic virus to insert a good copy of gene into the cells of the individual. With this, cells that were previously (Human genetic engineering, 2008) absent would then be able to be expressed at least partially and a lot of problems would be able to be solved. Positive genetic engineering is used to enhance humans. It can be used, just to name a few, to make people feel smarter, stronger and to increase the capacity of the lungs. However, there are a lot of ethical issues regarding positive genetic engineering as they feel that genetic technologies should be used to treat those suffering from (Human genetic engineering, 2008) diseases and not to enhance human who were already originally healthy to super humans. Recent reports have also showed that there is little evidence that human enhancement can be done without using methods that are unsafe and unethical.  How is human genetic engineering carried out? Human genetic engineering is possible through modern technology. Scientists have managed to grow a human ear on a rat’s back by manipulating its genetic sequence and a sheep has also been cloned. The idea of genetic engineering sounds promising but how exactly is it carried out? Human genetic engineering is basically carried out through gene manipulation. One of the methods is through virus insertion, where DNA is taken throughout the host’s body. Another method is by making use of the cell’s ability to undergo a certain process (Human genetic engineering, 2008) where an exogenous1 DNA fragment matches with that’s of an endogenous2 genes replaces the target gene through means of recombinases3. __Personal dictionary: __ 1 derived or developed from outside the body, originating externally 2 growing or developing from within, originating within 3 actions of enzymes

A rat with a human ear; the result of genetic engineering.

media type="youtube" key="x2jUMG2E-ic&hl=en" height="255" width="325" A video on recombinant DNA.

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of human genetic engineering? The disadvantages to virus insertion are that it may cause the cell to turn cancerous because of the random insertion of the virus and possible other problems such as lack of control over the immune response towards this virus. Nature is also interrelated through the food chain and by modifying ( Genetic Engineering Advantages & Disadvantages - Biology Online, 2006 ) the genes of certain species, this could disrupt the whole food chain and ultimately, cause irreversible consequences. (HOW?) The advantages, on the other hand, are that hereditary diseases can be prevented by detecting it earlier. Diseases can also be cured by implanting genes that are code for antiviral proteins specific to ( Genetic Engineering Advantages & Disadvantages - Biology Online, 2006 ) each antigen. Genetic diversity can also be increased as more variety of alleles are produced and crossed over with other species. Humans can also decide the kind of genes that they would like. With this, for example, plants can then be modified to absorb more Carbon dioxide and hence reduce the risk of global warming.  (BUT THIS IS FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING IN PLANTS! NOT HUMANS! MrC) **What are the moral and ethical concerns related to human genetic engineering? ** There are a lot of ongoing debates regarding the ethics of human genetic engineering. People argue that with human genetic engineering, there is a loss of individualism. Opponents of human genetic engineering feel that humans will now be viewed as mere manufactured products that can be disregarded. However, defenders argue that this process is no ( Yount, 2004) more unethical as other form of science and technology. Science was meant to improve life and genetic engineering does support that cause as there are great benefits to it. Others also feel that human genetic engineering will bring back the popular practice, eugenics, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Eugenics is a practice where they believe only people with desirable (Yount, 2004) characteristics are allowed to reproduce. Average characteristics today such as obesity and height issues could also be used as an excuse to carry out genetic engineering to solve these problems in future. There are also religious concerns as people feel that with human genetic engineering, people are now playing the role of God. A child will no longer be considered a blessing from God but simply, just another (Human genetic engineering, 2008) manufactured product from humans. Having a baby would be the same as shopping for new clothes now. The US government made its position on human genetic engineering clear when the House of Representatives passed a bill banning human cloning. The Human Prohibition Cloning Act makes it unlawful to perform or attempt any human cloning, participate in any attempt to clone and to ship or receive (Human Genetic Engineering, 2008) the product of human cloning for any purpose as of 2001.

media type="youtube" key="o7OYCmynrRU&hl=en" height="255" width="325" Trailer of the movie Gattaca, very much related to human genetic engineering.(HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO YOUR PAGE?)

Personal opinion on Human genetic engineering I feel that human genetic engineering should be carried out when more research and safety measures have been carried out. Sure, there are downsides to it but everything has downsides to them as well but they are still being carried out. Human genetic engineering has been blown out of proportions by its opponents and should actually be looked at in more detail before it continues to be criticised. Trees can be modified so that more carbon dioxide can be absorbed. This can help the issue of global warming to be alleviated. Children with genetic disorders can lead a normal life and are now given a chance to turn their life around . //If there is an opportunity to enhance humans and to make the world a better place, why not?//

 Work cited "Genetic Engineering Advantages & Disadvantages - Biology Online." __Life Science Reference - Biology Online__. 28 Apr. 2006. 19 Apr. 2008 .] Lisa Yount. "Introduction." __At Issue: Ethics of Genetic Engineering__. Ed. Lisa Yount. San Diego : Greenhaven Press, 2004. August 2004. 19 April 2008. <[|http://www.enotes.com/ethics-genetic-article/39264>.]

"Human Genetic Engineering- A Very Hot Issue." __Human Genetic Engineering__. 17 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/human-genetic-engineerin

**__Mr. Covington's Comments__ Good amount of information! Needed to discuss one-world issues a bit more!

Crit A: 5 Crit B: 6**