Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering
With genetic engineering, there is potential to develop many useful products that could
potentially save lives. Already, there have been many medical breakthroughs, such as production of
insulin for diabetics, human growth hormone, and interferon. However, many people feel that there is
also great potential for societal harm either by accident or design. Many fear that genetic engineers
could accidentally create deadly new bacteria or viruses.
In response to public fears and their own concerns, scientists adhere to strict laboratory
procedures that control genetic engineering. These procedures protect genetic researchers from
infection, by a newly engineered organism. Workers are also specially trained in techniques that
prevent the bacteria from escaping into the outside environment.
Another type of safety measure involves altering microorganisms so they cannot survive outside
the laboratory. However, scientists have engineered some organisms, such as the bacteria that protect
crops from frost damage, knowing that the microbes would be released into the environment. But once
the bacterium is released, it is impossible to capture it again if there is a problem. What might be the
long-term results of these organisms in the environment? Will such organisms change important
natural cycles or enter food chains and affect other organisms? These questions deserve careful
consideration.
The potential for modifying human genes brings up many ethical questions, questions about the
professional conduct and moral judgment of genetic engineers and their administrators. Consider, for
example, that someday it may be possible to treat or even correct genetic defects in human genes before
the defects are passed to new offspring. At the same time, it may be possible to alter human genes to
favor other choices. If people could easily and precisely determine the physical or intellectual potential
and traits of their children, would they make wise and unbiased choices? Should the state or national
government be the final judge of which human characteristics can or cannot be altered? Science and
technology alone cannot answer these questions. Just because scientists can do something does not
mean they should do it. It is obvious that the advances possible using the tools of genetic engineering
could present difficult issues for virtually everyone.
Because of the atrocities of World War II, some people fear that genetic engineering could lead
to a form of eugenics. Eugenics (yoo-JEN-iks) is a practice that seeks to change human heredity by
controlling mating. In one of the worst abuses of science in the twentieth century, Adolf Hitler used
racial traits as the basis for controlling human mating and reproduction. Genetic engineering, however,
aims to modify genes rather than control human reproduction. Few people may people may object to
correcting a genetic defect before a child is born. But should the government be allowed to require
genetic alterations? And who should be the final judge of whether a particular trait is desirable or
undesirable? These societal questions affect the application of genetic engineering to human genes.
At this time, there are clearly more questions than answers. Maybe you will be on the scientists
or government officials who helps make the decisions about these and other difficult ethical questions.
You will surely be a voter. How can you make wise decisions on issues relating to biotechnology?
During the next few decades, you will be affected by advances in genetic engineering and other fields
of modern biotechnology. You will also help make difficult and important decisions about their
regulation.
Name:
Critical Thinking on Genetic Engineering
List all of the positive (or supporting) points regarding genetic engineering.
**
List all of the negative points regarding genetic engineering.
**
1. Does the article present both positive and negative aspects of genetic engineering equally? Explain your answer!
**
2. Is the section written from a biased viewpoint? Explain! (bias exists when a writer tries to sway the reader to agree
with a certain viewpoint) **
3. Describe 2 ways that scientists protect the environment from engineered organisms.
**
4. Identify a benefit and a concern involved with alteration of human genes.
**
5. Although science can raise certain ethical questions, why is science unable to answer them?
**
6. African bees produce a great deal of honey, but
they are aggressive. European varieties of bees
are relatively gentle, but they produce little
honey compared to African bees. Breeders
crossed African bees with European bees. What
traits do you think they hoped to attain in the
offspring? **
7. Brahman cattle are resistant to heat and
insects. Hereford cattle produce highquality beef, but they are often bothered by
heat and insects. Breeders crossed cattle
from both breeds. What traits do you think
they were looking for?
**
Hereford Cattle
Brahman Cattle
8. A high-quality race horse named Joe was produced by Josephine (a mare) and Pete
(a stallion). The next time Josephine and Pete were bred, they produced a female
named Perky. Like her brother Joe, Perky is very fast. However, she is deaf.
Breeders plan to breed Joe and Perky in the future.
a. What desirable traits are the breeders trying to produce?
**
b. What undesirable traits could result?
**