Genetic Engineering: The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Engineering Human Embryos

Genetically Engineering Human Embryos

In today’s society genetically engineering anything and everything is very popular. Genetic engineering or genetically modifying something is to change the DNA of an organism to give it a different characteristic. Scientist genetically modify foods, animals, and plants. They modify foods so they can last longer, taste better, and look better. They modify animals and change a bunch of different characteristics in them for research purposes. For example, in 2007 South Korea genetically modified the first ever glow in the dark cat. They changed the DNA of a kitten to make it glow in the dark and then they cloned a bunch of other kitties so that they can multiply. They genetically engineer plants to help the

Reuven Lazarowitz preformed an experiment on high school biology teachers to see how aware they were of genetic engineering done on humans. He took thirty males and 30 female biology teachers and interviewed them to see how many of them knew about genetic engineering. He says, “The results show that amongst the teachers there is a medium to low level of awareness of societal issues” (Lazarowitz). This shows how in today’s society not many people are aware of this issue going on. Not many teachers don’t mention this societal issue when they teach genetics in biology. To make people more aware this issue should be taught in school. Different types of people have different types of viewpoints on this

Some think it’s okay because it is science, but others think that it’s wrong to do that to any organism and it’s a form of playing God. According to Christian scientist, Dr. Ray Bohlin, playing God can mean different things to different people. We can use this type of research for or against God. “Any technology can be used to further God’s purposes or hinder them. People make those decisions, not technology.” We can’t blame the technology that we have today. People are the ones that manipulate the technology and use it to do genetic research. Also there are many that think using people for genetic research is wrong. Using today’s technology on people for genetic research is wrong. “Genetic technologies can and should be used to help alleviate or even cure the effects of genetic disease” (Bohlin). As a Christian scientist he thinks that using genetic technology should not be used for creating new animals or changing humans completely. Instead it should be used to help and cure people. Scientist now a days use genetic technology to manipulate nature for their own selfish reasons but according to Reunka Sivapatham she states in her article Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering, “However, for all those who suffer from genetic diseases the answer is not so simples; if we can safely prevent severe genetic diseases and create healthy humans, why not manipulate nature?” She thinks that if we are using this technology and