Christine Waterhouse Jim Hooper Right vs. Right Debate March 31, 2012 Genetic Engineering
for the Healing (Somatic) and the Enhanced (Germline)

Pros

Make Disease a Thing of the Past- The majority of the people on the planet will die from
disease, or at least have a family member that dies from disease. Genetic mutations
directly cause disease, significantly contribute to disease, or can cause our bodies
vulnerable to attack from viruses or even our own immune system. If gene therapy is fully
developed, then bad genes can be replaced with copied good genes.

To Extend Life Spans- Genetic engineering in humans could considerably increase the life
spans of humans. A patient with a fatal condition could not only have an increase in his or
her lifespan, but healthy people as well. Once we learn and completely understand the
genetics of aging, we may be able to slow down or possibly reverse the cellular
mechanisms that lead to aging.

Designer Babies- Parents have the opportunity to choose the characteristics of their
babies, eyes, skin tone, IQ level, etc. Parents could even try to incorporate characteristics
from animals into their child, such as the sharp vision of a hawk or the speed of a cheetah.
In a sense, parents could create the “Superhuman”.

Cloning- Another aspect in genetic engineering, cloning humans could be a new
possibility. Even with many ethical issues, we would be closer to creating the perfect
human being, which could eventually become the norm.

Gene Screening- Insurance companies would use gene screening to assess risks and
establish premiums- the suitability of a person would be determined for an employee to
work in a specific career.

Cons

Scientific Issues- The correct gene has a specific area where it should be injected into the
host genome. There is no certification that the viral enzyme will correctly introduce the
correct gene into the host chromosome. If an error does occur, it will result in a genetic
makeup error and serious disorders. The immune system could also identify the correc t
gene as a foreign body and attack it.

Religious Issues- Any form of manipulation to the human body is intolerable with those of
strong religious beliefs. In a sense, it’s similar to “playing God”.

Super Humans- When we try and produce babies without hereditary disorders and genetic
defects, we could produce super humans. Super humans could ultimately cause harm to
those who aren’t genetically modified, or become a superior species. With smarter humans
comes a larger brain, meaning mothers may have difficulty giving birth to babies with
larger heads.

Population Issues- If the human life span increases, we will put more stress on our natural
resources and ecosystem services. Humans may be free of living with diseases, but we
may result in competition for survival and our basic necessities.

Cloning- Human cloning may present a problem if copies of people are moving freely
throughout the world. Imagine someone taking over your family, life, job, etc.

Female Infanticide- Genetic engineering may stop the custom of killing a female child, but
it may help parents to choose male children over female children, thereby causing females
to be a rare gender.
Sources

Arnold, Paul. "Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering in Humans - Part 1." Genomic
Research. Bright Hub, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .

Bose, Debopriya. "Gene Therapy Pros and Cons." Gene Therapy. Buzzle. Web. 2 Apr.
2012.

Baxamusa, Batul N. "Genetic Engineering in Humans." Genetic Engineering. Buzzle.com,
12 Mar. 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .

Heaf, David. "Ifgene: Pros & Cons of Genetic Engineering." Science Group of the
Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain. IFgene, 27 Apr. 2001. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.
.