Mee+Jeong+G10

=Should we genetically modify humans? =



Modifying humans has positive and negative effects. Arguments arise as to whether it is beneficial for humans to gentically modify their offsprings. If we are to improve human characteristics, the natural born human will no longer exist. There are two main types of modifying humans genetically. The first one is Somatic modifications which involves adding genes to cells other than egg or sperm cells. In Somatic modifications, a defective gene is cured by adding healthy genes. A nucleus from the cell donor will be taken and is transferred to a cell of the receiver. The other is Germline engineering which would change genes in eggs, sperm, or very early embryos. The result of this will be carried out to the future generation of the recipient.

The picture on the right shows a baby in a mother's womb ready to be born. In human genetic engineering, the cells that the parents selected from the donor with desirable characteristics are injected in the womb of the mother. The cells multiply and form an embryo which will later develop into a baby. The baby which is the product of modification then posses the expected characteristics from the donor.

How would it be done?
Before the cell division, a nucleus from the donor's cell is inserted in the host's body. The picture above shows the process of cell division. The cell with different nucleus adapts its location until it multiplies and form two seperated cells.

Humans could be modified with the use of current technology such as virus insertion, recombinases, and nanotechnology. DNA is taken throughout the host's body and inserted in a subject. An enzyme that catalyzes the exchange of short pieces of DNA between two long DNA strands, particularly the exchange of homologous regions between the paired maternal and paternal chromosomes. It is with the use of small devices or machines that can operate at the nanoscale level. It helps to modify a human body as directed to make changes. This way of modifying humans is different because the instructions are just given to a device or machine and it will make the changes itself. The changes can take place even to the smallest cell or gene.
 * **Virus insertion**
 * **Recombinases**
 * **Nanotechnology**

Advantages
ex) a baby can be made taller, more beautiful, and smarter
 * remove genetic disorders and eliminate diseases permanently
 * cure diseases and prolong life
 * create superior humans
 * strength, speed, and endurance can be enhanced
 * extraordinary physical abilities can be identified
 * ability to choose the characteristics of babies that parents prefer
 * physical attributes of a human can be changed

Disadvantages

 * humans will not likely to be similar to their parents in appearance and personality (A disadvantage?)
 * humans will be manipulated by technology
 * humans will have common characteristics and skills therefore every humans will desire to be superiors
 * if the cells that are being transferred to a subject will not be successful, cancer might occur and kill the subject
 * there is no assurance of safety as it is not yet tested to humans
 * poor would never have access to such technologies unless it will be paid by the government
 * dignity of humans will be degraded
 * babies will not be exactly from the cells of their parents as other cells from a desired host enters their body

The pictures of babies above show possible outcome of genetically modified humans. The picture on the right side displays a healthy baby which can be a product of genetic engineering. On the left side, there is a picture of a fake baby. This is being used by people to imagine a baby with defective genes. Parents wish to have an admirable baby with an acceptable appearance. Because some diseases or characteristics are inherited, there is a risk of producing a baby similar to the picture on the left side.

Social and economic issues
Few resources - particularly those related to medicine and health care - are available to everyone, and allowing the most privileged to engineer themselves or their children to have special capabilities could lead to what some call a genetic aristocracy. Inequality might be enhanced because not everybody can offord to have genetic modification. A lot of people might consider changing their appearances and personalities and this will lead to catastrophe. Society could encourage the government to pay for everyone to undergo genetic engineering. The government may not have enough funds for everybody to undergo genetic engineering modification. This will create problems of finances and inequalities.

Religious issue
Humans are created by God and we should be thankful as to what God has given to us. If we are going to modify humans, we can no longer say that we are the children of God. With genetic engineering, we are most likely to be children of technology.

Ethical issue
Genetic technologies are being used to treat diseases and to make those who are already healthy superior to the average. People who are genetically engineered can be stronger, faster, smarter, etc. The practice of doing this change can be dangerous and therefore it is said to be unethical human experiments. Different cells do different tasks and changing one cell can affect the others. Therefore, it can cause damage to the human body.

Work cited
Agar, Nicholas. "Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations (ActionBioscience)." __ActionBioscience.org examines bioscience issues in biodiversity, environment, genomics, biotechnology, evolution, new frontiers in the sciences, and education. Includes peer-reviewed articles, class lessons, and educator resources.__. 30 Mar. 2006. 20 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html>.] "Anatomie placenty." __bpk__. 20 Apr. 2008 .

"Babies." __Letsgodigital__. 20 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/6/baby-photo.jpg>.]

"Fake Baby." __Channel4__. 20 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.channel4.com/video/images/mb/Channel4/video/clip_images/my_fake_baby/My_Fake_Baby_001_001_001_001.jpg>.]

"Human genetic engineering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." __Main Page - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 18 Apr. 2008. 20 Apr. 2008 <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_genetic_engineering>.]

"Mitosis, or Somatic Cell Division." __Cache__. 20 Apr. 2008 <[|http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=78587&rendTypeId=36>.]

"Recombinases - definition of Recombinases by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.." __Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus. Free access.__. 20 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.thefreedictionary.com/recombinases>.]

Mr. Covington's Comments

-No references for pictures -The pictures have nothing to do with genetic engineering -One-world issues are a bit weak! -No in text referencing

Crit A: 3 Crit B: 3