Taking Sides:
“Is Genetic Enhancement an Unacceptable use of Technology?”
The Case Against Perfection
The author covers several different methods of genetic enhancement that are being
researched at this time and potential implications of the research. He cites memory, appearance,
and sex as possible enhancements. He explains what the research is trying to fix and/or cure and
then the unintended applications that could change the way we live our lives. He thinks that the
potential benefits will be greatly outweighed by the commercial applications and we will become
the things we fear in sci-fi movies.
Gene therapy for muscle disorders and dysfunctions could be used like steroids by
professional athletes to give them an edge. Memory enhancements used to cure Alzheimer’s and
other forms of dementia could be used commercially as study aids for students and professional
cramming for business needs. Sex selection used to prevent sex-linked genetic disorders could be
used by people to prevent undesirable sexes being born in their culture.
These genetic modifications, while being researched to help people, can become a way to
further achieve mankind’s race for perfection. This is similar to the Nazi eugenics programs for
the perfect race. Our scientific knowledge is moving faster than our ability to understand the
ethics of the matter. It is argued that no matter the noble intentions the masses will clamor for
personal uses of this technology and companies will use them for monetary gains to continue
more research.
Something’s that are presented in the article seem incorrect and unfounded. The memory
enhancements even used for commercial needs does not actually show any compelling
information for this being harmful to society. The sex selection of biased cultures will continue
with or without the research anyway. The writer plays on our fears with sci-fi references and our
guilt by reminding us that children live happy lives with many genetic disorders. He also claims
that all research is this area will turn to commercial uses because our society values money over
happiness. He also states that forcing our children into perfection is a form of abusive love.
A Man is a Man is a Man
The author explains that genetic enhancements are not pushing the boundaries of
bioethics because every problem fixed will bring to light a new issue. He claims that the
promises made at the beginning of research are rarely met and that the fears of a super-human
genetically modified race taking over are only the ideals of science fiction.
He points out previous medical advances made and their unintended consequences. These
include antibiotics creating resistant diseases, Longer lives introducing more cancers and other
age related disorders, and improvements on neonatal care resulting in babies born dangerously
early surviving but with life-long debilitating conditions.
He claims the motives given by the opposing side are rarely the ones held by the patients.
Patients are not concerned with the motive behind the research they just want to be well. When
sick they aren’t thinking about becoming stronger and faster but being comfortable and happy.
He also provides information showing previous promises of cures that only achieved partial
success.
He explains because all advances come with unintended side effects we will never be
able to achieve the ideals of a perfect race through genetic enhancement. The research will never
be completed and if it is it will be only used for its original applications only. People are not
blinded by the race towards perfection. He uses many strong words and images to lead you to
believe there can be no possible un-ethical implications of genetic research like lazy, winners,
losers and so on.
Final Opinion
When I read these articles for this assignment I had my own clearly formed opinion on
this matter. These articles did not change that at all. I feel that both articles are equally biased
and empirical as neither provides factual representations of their case. While citing previous
examples they never show any solid evidence. This may be because we have none, but until we
do have this information it will only be hypothesis and opinion anyway. I fall somewhere in the
middle. I believe whole-heartedly that the research needs to be allowed to continue and to
advance at its current rate. If we can fix someone’s ailments then we should be required to make
every effort to do so. No one should suffer for any reason.
I also believe that people at large are inherently greedy and will use these potential
advances for dubious purposes. It is a sad fact of our world today, that to provide the financial
requirements for the research to save lives we must also produce things like Viagra for money.
All advances do come with sacrifice, be we cannot limit our reach for fears of commercial
entities exploiting the potentials. I guess the question I have is “Is one study aid memory
enhancement pill on the market worth throwing away the cure to Alzheimer’s?” I say absolutely
not. Yes these things posed as downsides probably will happen, but the potential outcomes still
out-weigh those downsides.
Reflective Statement
This was an interesting assignment for me. I was excited to read views other than my
own and to see if they would sway my beliefs in this matter. They did provide more information
I had not thought about but this information on strengthened my original opinion. I was
concerned about writing and posting such an assignment since these issues can be volatile but in
the end I feel nothing is wrong with my opinion and that I’m okay with others knowing it.