Gabrielle Cuebas
Dr. Koh ENG 101
October 29, 2008
Essay #3
In “Genes and Politics,” James D. Watson stated that “Genetics per se can never
be evil. It is only when we use or misuse it that morality comes in” (226). This statement
is very relevant to the events that occur in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Seeking
knowledge is inevitably important when it comes to scientific research. But going past
the limits of what human beings are able to comprehend causes much conflict. It is
evident that in all scientific research there is always something that gets out of hand,
whether or not it is in our control. What matters when discussing Watson’s statement and
Shelley’s novel is the fact of how important it is for morality to play a key role in
conducting scientific research, specifically in genetics.
Conducting genetic experiments is generally for the greater good. The goal is to
benefit the greatest amount of people that may be suffering from a health problem that
may be the result of heredity or unique genes. Common diseases that are being studied
are that of Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and breast cancer. They are very difficult to understand.
Genetics is sometimes wrongly associated with eugenics. Eugenics is the study of finding
ways to improve society by genetic alterations, such as eliminating genes associated with
violence or other traits that may be considered unfavorable. This does not sound like a
moral method of scientific research.
Genetics, on the other hand, has more to do with the possibility of totally
eliminating genes that cause fatal and sometimes incurable diseases that may be passed
down through generations. Forget about changing social behavior, which involves
eugenics. This is about ultimately saving the human race. People are living longer than
ever before, so using genetics to cure diseases and even prevent them from happening
would be a great scientific breakthrough.
A problem that may arise from genetics is if people truly want to know what their
human genome is like; if they truly want that information to be available to the public.
There are people that have subjected themselves to genetics research and now “[regret it
because they wish] they had been more forewarned of the potential perils of such
knowledge” (224). One can’t help but think about the consequences of having others
know this information. This may cause new reason for discrimination in the community
and in the workplace.
This can be associated with Victor Frankenstein’s creation in Shelley’s novel.
Victor sought to discover the secret of life; he did so and realized the detriment of his
choices. He chose not to take responsibility of his actions out of fear that his community
would deem him insane. The “monster” that he created wreaked havoc across the town
only because he deeply desired to have a companion because he was neglected by his
creator. Although Victor’s intention may have been to benefit the public in his discovery
of the secret of life, in hopes that he could prevent death, it ended up being that no one
benefited from his experiment.
His selfish acts were out of rage because his mother died. He acted immorally out
of his desire to seek knowledge because it was solely for his benefit. He unleashed
something that he may have been able to take control of had he considered the
consequences, but he didn’t. He could have used the monster as way to enlighten the
people of his town that there life can be created, even in more intelligent forms. But he
did not want to teach people anything. There was no benefit to the greater good that could
have been acknowledged. There is just some scientific research that can not be
conducted.
The bold statement Watson made earlier is quite truthful. Whether understood in
fact, as in his passage of “Genes and Politics”, or in fiction, as in Shelley’s Frankenstein,
“Genetics per se can never be evil. It is when we use or misuse it that morality comes in.”
Genetic research can provide much scientific advancement in finding cures for and
possibly eliminating diseases. While it is important to share knowledge with all, the fact
of the matter is that any kind of scientific research should not be conducted if it does not
benefit a majority. Certain information should not be made public if it is going to cause
harm to anyone. The benefit factor should always outweigh the risk factor.