Human Evolution: Is Genetically Altering Our Race Next?

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Recommended: Technology and its impacts

What if incurable diseases could be prevented before a baby was born? The possibility of cancer? Nonexistent. Development of physical impairments? No longer an issue. A parent could have relief in knowing their child would be born healthy, and not be at risk for any type of long lasting ailments, physical or mental. It sounds like the new American Dream. But what about couples seeking to use this technology for aesthetic benefits? Such as couple wanting a blue eyed baby, but their DNA won’t allow it. Is there a difference between diminishing the possibility of disease, and hoping to prevent aesthetic maladies? Technology has become intertwined with the everyday lives of humans, and soon may become what furthers our path of evolution. With the partnership of the two, the limitations currently stand blurry and debated. Is it inevitable that technology should help transform and better humans, or against nature’s laws and science? If we ultimately allow our children's’ genes to be altered by technology, where should the line be drawn? To analyze this hotly debated topic, we look at the following texts: Prolonging Life, Human Genome Research, Gene Therapy’s Future, The Quiet Campaign for Genetic Engineering, No to Genetic Engineering of Humans!, Reproductive Cloning, Genetic Engineering and the Autonomy of a Child: the Moral Agent and the Open Future, Designer Humans, and lastly, Reproductive Ethics.
The moral agenda for genetic engineering is one that opposers see as the downfall of mixing technology and genetics. Author David King, in his article “No to Genetic Engineering of Humans!” uses pathos to appeal to the emotions of fear, ethics, and uneasiness by claiming messing with natural evolution by “playing God” is dangerous and r...

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...g their duty to their patients, and it’s only logical to use this technology to help them in any way that they see fit. In addition to upholding their hippocratic oath, the opportunities for helping future generations with these advancements is larger than ever. If devastating ailments like cancer, cystic fibrous and many others due to gene abnormalities could be cured and no longer affect our grandchildren, and their grandchildren, why wouldn’t we want to welcome this technology with open arms? Lastly, is the fight for the knowledge that our body contains. Scientists, the logical thinkers of the world, believe we have a right to know what our own bodies are composed of, all parts and all aspects. With the decoding of the human genome, we are one step closer in becoming experts on the human species.
Pathos is a big factor for the supporters of genetic manipulation.

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