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Cheich Biteye
Connie Douglas
26 April 2015
UWRT 1102
Critical Analysis: Human Genetic Engineering
The whole basis of genetic engineering is built on the idea of improving an organism. We
trust the technology enough to use it on our food and livestock plentifully and we enjoy the
increased bounties it allots us. In a lot of ways we have ingrained the technology into our system
so well that its jus apart of the human experience now. Still with all the faith we put in it we still
dont trust it with our own bodies.
The facts completely support the idea that human genetic engineering is the future when
it comes to medical advancement and pushing the human race forward. The human element
involved in genetic engineering is huge. Its potential in terms of what it can do for humans as a
species its ramifications are enormous. Already its pushing boundaries in terms of genomic
medicine where researchers have been able to isolate genes and tell if someone will be more or
less susceptible for catching a certain disease. This is the very early beginnings of the research
too and with new technology like the CRISPR-9 sequencing device the rate of advancement will
only get faster. The potential for good from human genetic engineering is immense but the
problem lies in the opposition to it.
Politicians have already begun the fear campaign regarding designer children and the faroff sci-fi fears of genetic engineering creating an elite race of beings. The facts are that about

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ninety percent of the research is going towards medical advances rather than the plot to create a
new powerful race. The fact of the matter is that most countries have no laws regarding the
regulation of the research into human genetic engineering and the countrys that do usually have
pretty ambiguous rules guiding them. So politicians have not exactly been well monitoring the
situation. If in fact they were more informed about the true uses regarding it they would push
more funding in support of it rather than being quick to restrict it.
A large piece of the ethical conflict with human genetic engineering comes from a
religious conflict not with any one religion but organized religions as a whole view it with
skepticism. Religious people tend to see this research as scientists playing god and disturbing
nature by making artificial changes to people. This is the biggest battle for human genetic
engineering. Its not the advancements in science that are the hard part but convincing people to
get on bored with it. The court of public opinion is what really will make or break this research.
Unfortunately scientists only response to the religious opposition is that this research will save
lives. Other than that they cant have discourse on an even playing field.
The debate largely falls down to the unknown. Unlike issues of gun control or economics
there is not a wealth of statistics to lean on with human genetic engineering. Nor is there any past
experience we can draw from with this issue. Science is entering a brave new world with its
inception and the unknowns are frightening just as they are promising. What is known is that
man has an unyielding thirst for control. Weve shown ourselves to be the only sentient beings
on our planet and have dominated everything but nature itself. It has always been believed that
nature ultimately had the underlying grip on man because it could control our very own
evolution. Perhaps genetic engineering is our first step to using Mother Natures own weapon for
ourselves.

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