Utilitarianism and Genetic Engineering - 1581 Words

Utilitarianism and Genetic Engineering In the past thirty years, humans are witnessing a huge revolution in the genetic engineering industry. Having identified most of the Human Genome, gene sequencing has become programmed and extremely fast, and laboratory techniques in molecular biology allow for in-vitro fertilization and transfer of genetic material. Gene therapy and repair based on stem cells research allows for replacement of a defected allele in the DNA, and even a whole damaged tissue in the patient. In general, it is accurate to say that genetic engineering is a controversial topic about which people tend to have strong opinions. The genetic engineering issues that mainly catch the attention of the moral community involve the†¦show more content†¦The most promising benefit of genetic engineering is gene therapy which is the medical treatment of a disease wherein the defective genes are repaired and replaced or therapeutic genes are introduced to fight the disease (4, Shandilya, 2008). Every human being inherits approximately 30000 genes at birth. These determine his or her physical and emotional attributes. Some of these genes might have mutated or become otherwise defective making the carrier predisposed to certain genetic diseases. These diseases may strike the person during his lifetime or alternatively may not do so at all. Nonetheless the person is a carrier and passes on these defective genes to his progeny. At some point, perhaps generations later when conditions are favorable, the disease will manifest itself (5, P1, Go, 2009). One of the primary objectives in genetic engineering is to identify and isolate such genes with a view to repairing them or eradicating them so that their harmful effects are negated. An alternate strategy employed is to introduce a gene that has the effect of countering or combating the defective gene (5, p2, Go, 2009). Another goal of genetic engineering is to find remedies and therapies to treat other non-genetic diseases.Show MoreRelatedJohn Stuart Mill And Utilitarianism1202 Words   |  5 Pages Furthermore, Despite Walter Glannon’s second argument against genetic enhancement for personal gain, I contend that the philosophy of John Stuart Mill and Utilitarianism can be used to show that society should will that genetic enhancement be morally acceptable if the adverse cognitive or emotional effects are outweighed by the benefits. Glannon argues that gene enhancement is morally objectionable because â€Å"there would be the unacceptable social cost of some people suffering from adverse cognitiveRead MoreA Research On Genetic Engineering1407 Words   |  6 PagesGenetic Engineering is all about genes, which are made of DNA; the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms. It is a very broad term that covers a range of techniques that allow for the artificial addition, deletion or rearrangement of sequences of bases in DNA in order to alter the observable form and function of an organism. (Science Group, 201 4). Genetic Engineering was first discovered in the 1970s when scientist discovered how toRead MoreShould New Zealand Allow Genetically Modified Food? Essay1570 Words   |  7 Pagesof molecular genetics. New ways are discovered and implemented to improve what nature has to offer, a variety of species are being genetically modified in order to produce new substances and carry out different functional roles (Ministry for the Environment, 2004). With the use of genetic engineering a gene of interest is introduced into a different species, allowing for a desired trait to be acquired in that species (Hui Culbertson, 2006). With the introduction of genetic engineering it is now possibleRead MoreGenetic Engineering : The Field Of Human Biotechnology1490 Words   |  6 PagesGenetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is a set of techniques for isolating, transforming, multiplying and recombining genes from different organisms. Simply put, it is the process of manually adding new DNA to an organism. Genetic engineering originated in the 1970s as a result of the discovery of several key techniques in molecular genetics. It is also referred to as recombinant (rDNA) technology. Genetic Engineering enables geneticists to transfer genes between species that belongRead MoreIs It Right Or Wrong? Essay1611 Words   |  7 Pages2211 December 3rd, 2016 With the world of technology making advances so quickly we sometimes forget our own limits as a mortal species. Genetic therapy has the potential to save millions of people from genetic mutations and protein deficiencies. This paper will go on to argue that the Utilitarianism approach in ethics shows all the right things about genetic therapy. The first-time gene therapy was used on a patient dates back in the 1990s when a four-year-old girl had adenosine deaminase deficiencyRead MoreGenetic Engineering Is Ethically Justified824 Words   |  4 PagesOCR AS Level Ethics Genetic engineering Example of part (b) question (b) â€Å"Genetic engineering is ethically justified.† Discuss [10] Since the development of genetic engineering in the 1970s, scholars have questioned its ethical justification, claiming that it was playing God’ and was unnatural. Others claimed that humans have always altered their environment to benefit themselves. An example is that of genetically modified crops which some people believe can be justified for a numberRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Medical Perfection Or Playing God1280 Words   |  6 PagesThesis Statement â€Å"Genetic engineering differs from cloning in key ways. Whereas cloning produces genetically exact copies of organisms, genetic engineering refers to processes in which scientists manipulate genes to create purposefully different versions of organisms—and, in some cases, entirely new living things†, duplication of genetic cells is known as human cloning. Development of genetic engineering biotechnologies undermines the natural autonomy of life. Does genetic engineering interfere withRead MoreRecent Developments In Gene Editing, Concerning The Modification1447 Words   |  6 Pagesediting, concerning the modification of embryonic cells and its’ usefulness since the discovery of iPS cells Abstract This essay addresses the question â€Å"In light of the recent developments with iPS cells, is the genetic modification of human embryos justified?†. New gene editing software CRISPR has created cheaper and more accurate modification, making the editing of an embryo a possibility. There are concerns about this advancement as it is the changing of our DNARead MoreTechnology : A World Where There Is No Afterlife1627 Words   |  7 Pageshome—enhancing the human-body experience, minimizing bodily pain, or curing cancer—paves the way for mainstream humanity to reap the benefits of the biohacking craft. Likewise, the framework of utilitarianism seeks to maximize pleasure and minimize pain for the greatest number of individuals. Utilitarianism as a framework spotlights what is ethical about biohacking. Background of Biohacking ï ¿ ¼ ï ¿ ¼Biohacking is a new phenomenon, stemming from the advent of modern technology. It is a practice that combinesRead MoreThe Case Against Perfection : Ethics And The Problems That Arise From It1175 Words   |  5 Pagesthat arise from it. These topics range from the ethics of cloning, athletes using performance enhancing drugs, and other practical uses in everyday life. Sandel’s argument is that there is value in human nature (even with all its flaws), and genetic engineering will forever change human nature. Destroying the very essence of what it is to be human and scarring humanity. The main features of human nature that will be altered: are responsibility, humility and solidarity. No more are the days of an parent