Genetic Engineering

Introduction

Genetic engineering is a collection of applied biotechnological techniques that are used to derive desirable genes of one or more species of organisms, and then introduce them into another organism in order to enhance one or more of its characteristics (Gupta 5). In the contemporary society, genetic engineering is being applied in various living things such as crops, animals, and human beings. Many crops are nowadays modified in order to enhance their tolerance to adverse climatic conditions, increase their resistant to pests, increase their growth rate, and to yield more than one products. Similarly, human beings are being genetically modified in order to enhance numerous characteristics. This paper pays high attention to the reasons why married couples should not be motivated to modify the genetic qualities of their babies.

Though genetic engineering has tremendously increased in the recent past, couple should not be encouraged to modify the genetic makeup of their babies due to various reasons. The ultimate reason is that modifying the genetic characteristics of a human being corresponds to assuming the role of God, who is the creator of the universe. Most critics such as religious leaders argue that it is morally unethical for human beings to try and “play the role of the supreme Being” (Kamm 207). In addition, non-religious critics warn that the racially based genetic manipulation practices of the Nazi Germany against manipulation of life by human beings.

Consecutively, genetic engineering contributes to vast social inequalities. For example, encouraging couples to introduce desirable qualities to their babies would lead to the emergence of a new generation that is perfect in terms of almost all qualities, while the existing generation have numerous undesirable traits. This means that there would be a great gap or distinction between individuals who are genetically modified and those who are not. Additionally, conducting genetic engineering is expensive and thus only the rich couples can afford it, and this increases the social status of some individuals in the society. Similarly, gender balance would also be affected, whereby most couples will develop a preference of some genders at the expense of the other. For example, most couples may opt to bear baby boys rather than girls, making the society be imbalanced in terms of gender (Rasko, Gabrielle & Rachel 164-169). This gender imbalance may lead to other adverse consequences such as human trafficking.

Moreover, some parents may use this technology for superficial purposes, leading to the creation of babies with non-human characteristics such as babies with blue eyes, blonde hair, superficial reasoning among others. Most studies also reveal that gender selection elevates the sexism levels in the society, since the culture of preferring a specific gender is developed (Kamm 346). A good example of gender discrimination is what happened in china and India, where males are more valued compared to their female counterparts.

In addition, genes interact in ways that human beings cannot fully understand and, therefore, interfering with the genetic makeup can result to unintended consequences such as diseases or even death of the developing embryo. For example, most studies depict interfering with the genetic makeup of human beings may alter some genes that have important roles, and this can make these babies develop adverse characteristics. Moreover, most couples of these babies may opt to carry out abortion after realizing the unborn child has developed these adverse characteristics. Moreover, genetic engineering of human beings is not 100 percent safe, since most countries are in the process of experimenting it (Rasko, Gabrielle & Rachel 164-169). This, therefore, means that tampering with the genetic makeup can affect the genetic pool of the baby, making the latter to transfer the tampered genes throughout his or her family tree.

In addition, genetic engineering limits the autonomy of babies of shaping their own destinies. Studies depicts that, “if parents are able to remake a child`s genetic makeup, they are in sense writing the genetic instructions that shape his or her entire life” (Rasko, Gabrielle & Rachel 164-169). For example, when couples institute their children with passive personality over aggressive ones, blue eyes over brown ones or tallness instead of medium height, they make direct and lifelong effect on these children. This means that the genetic modification is immoral since it artificially dictates the lives of other people, directing them in destinies that they never choose. Therefore, couples who conduct genetic engineering to their babies greatly violate the fundamental rights of these babies.

Consecutively, genetic enhancement makes no sense from developmental and biological perspectives. Most studies depict that human traits such as musicianship, personality or personality are complex and involve numerous genes, and result from complex mix of determinants, including gene-to-gene interaction, environmental, social and nutritional factors (Kamm 346).

Conclusion

It is, therefore, evident that couples should not be encouraged to conduct genetic engineering to their babies due the above reasons. For example, Genetic engineering involves playing the role of the Supreme Being, parents violate the fundamental rights of the children, the life of the unborn child can easily be terminated among others.

Work cited

Gupta, P K. Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering. New Delhi: Global Media Publications, 2008. Internet resource.

Kamm, Frances M. Bioethical Prescriptions: To Create, End, Choose, and Improve Lives. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print.

Rasko, John E. J, Gabrielle O’Sullivan, and Rachel A. Ankeny. The Ethics of Inheritable Genetic Modification: A Dividing Line? Cambridge etc.: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Print.