Genetic Modification, Benefits and Ethics

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Over the years, the field of science and technology has seen so much advancement and rise in its application that perhaps just a few saw coming. It is maybe not so much of a surprise to those heavily invested in science since a lot of scientists and researchers have devoted and dedicated so much time and resources into taking science to the next level.

One of the aspects of science that has seen enormous development is the field of genetics and medicine. Genetic modification has had a lot of applications in the field of science and the human world that to some degree still surprises me. Some call it genetic engineering, others call it genetic manipulation while some term this is as artificial manipulation.

Genetic manipulation can be defined as the process of inducing changes in the gene expression of living organisms. Inducing such changes has seen a lot of benefits in our world. Because of artificial manipulation, people who want children and for reasons cannot or do not want it through the "natural" way of reproduction or through adoption have been able to conceive through artificial insemination.

It has helped in developing treatments and vaccines for diseases and also helped in food production. Human insulin and hepatitis B vaccines are just two of the benefits of the application of genetic modification. Through genetic engineering methods like gene editing, living organisms and crops have been genetically modified to withstand some diseases and to correct some errors.

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Gene editing generally is introducing into a living organism a corrected gene into the genome to repair a gene mutation that is causing a disease. This was first done in animals and seeing how successful it was prompted scientists to try this on humans. Now, this is where ethics come in and I draw the line.

Humans are already complex enough and for me I think we should leave humans in our complex and weird form. First of all, if the correction of the mutated gene is not done properly, there is no telling what will happen. What if that gene is corrected and that causes something to happen elsewhere? If drugs can have side effects, there is no telling the kind of side effects gene editing can have.

As it is, scientists are not a 100% sure that the genetically modified crops are environmentally friendly and healthy. Gene editing has been hinted that it would be used to alter intelligence, sperms, etc.

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Gene modification poses ethical concerns when it comes to suggesting that human genes be altered so specific cancer can be passed on to humans. This is too much of a risk because when cures cannot be found, these human test subjects could die.

In terms of genetically modifying humans, who determines what is really a disorder? Who determines what a disability is? Will laws set up be made to protect humans or to advance science? Can the environmental hazards genetically modified crops will pose be accurately predicted?

Other common questions associated with genetic modification include ones that people ask if this wouldn't increase discrimination. Others ask if it is fair at all because there is no doubt genetically modifying oneself will be very expensive.

Where we are in the world now, I believe we cannot do without genetic modification but as far as my humble opinion is concerned, we should stay away from cloning, editing and modifying humans.

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This is my response to day2 of the April InLeo monthly calender. I encourage you to join.

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Some information is sourced from Britannica and ScienceDirect

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Thank you