When you listen to the in-class section audio file for last week's lecture ... you will hear of
only SOME disease states that can arise when there is a genetic issue within our DNA.
Your discussion question is a relatively simple one:
Do you think it is OK to 'play' with mother nature? State IN YOUR OWN WORDS (of at least
three paragraphs / 175 words) why or why not ... and justify your position.
The debate about genome editing has been controversial throughout the world for a few
decades. Scientific advances in genetics have recently provided new information and
enabled new interventions that are challenging existing ethical conventions. (Barlow,
2006) After carefully reviewing the benefits and risks of genetic modification, I have an
unbiased viewpoint. Every person, in my opinion, should be treated as an individual.
Furthermore, I feel that the rationale should be reasonable rather than illogical.
Gene therapy is associated with a range of health implications, including cancer,
inflammation, and toxicity, due to it being relatively new. The outcome is unpredictable
and can result in genetic problems like mutations. It can also generate viral and
bacterial alterations, compromising biodiversity and life. From a spiritual aspect, it
undermines God's creation and evolution of mankind.
On the plus side, it can be used to correct a genetic defect and increase the human
lifespan. There are a lot of diseases attributed to genes inherited from the parents.
These genes and other genetic mutations caused by environmental mutagens can affect
human beings. Genetic engineering is used to find cures to these diseases through
altering the genes. (Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering, 13) Gene therapy can also help by
allowing for more individualized drugs and the production of more nutritional crops.
Barlow-Stewartand, K., & Burnett, L. (2006). Ethical considerations in the use of DNA
for the diagnosis of diseases. The Clinical biochemist. Reviews, 27(1), 53–61.
I can definitely see your viewpoint. Human genetic information should not be altered with, in my
opinion, with this new gene therapy. There's a good probability you'll make a new problem while
trying to cure an old one. Some changes may place human life at risk. Other changes may place an
entire ecosystem at risk. One small genetic change may be enough to tip the scales… Despite our
knowledge, we really don’t know what may happen. (12 Pros and Cons of Alternating the Genetic
Composition, 2022) Despite our knowledge, we really don’t know what may happen. On the other
side, I feel that with sufficient amount of research, there is a chance of minimizing or eliminating the
repercussions. I also believe that it can be beneficial to certain aspects of life, such as tailored
medications or producing nutritional crops.
Works Cited
12 Pros and Cons of Alternating the Genetic Composition. (2022). Retrieved from Health
Research Funding: https://healthresearchfunding.org/12-pros-and-cons-of-alternatingthe-genetic-composition/
Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering. (13, October 2018). Retrieved from Pros and Cins:
http://prosancons.com/science/pros-and-cons-of-geneticengineering/#:~:text=Cons%3A%201.%20Limits%20genetic%20diversity%3AWhen%20y
ou%20genetically%20modify,may%20have%20some%20longterm%20effects%20on%20the%20organism.
e%20organism.