This is a tough one, it almost feels like something out of a sci-fi episode: engineering and modifying genes. I remember reading an article about CRISPR, where they ran DNA through a computer that …Read MoreThis is a tough one, it almost feels like something out of a sci-fi episode: engineering and modifying genes. I remember reading an article about CRISPR, where they ran DNA through a computer that read the code and identified and then corrected deformities. It blew my mind.
We’ve become so advanced that, honestly, it almost doesn’t matter what my personal take is, because in the world of science, where huge sums of money are involved, this kind of genetic “perfecting” is likely to become normalized.
We’ve turned into a society desperate to be free from any kind of pain. We fear discomfort so much that we’ve numbed it with drugs, and now, the next frontier seems to be gene perfection. It feels unnatural… but then again, what even defines “natural” anymore? This technology could change lives for the better, but I worry about the West’s obsession with vanity and its fear of pain. Read Less
I am not quite sure about this question, nor do I know enough about the topic, but I am aware the controversy. I personally believe that genetic engineering has not been a treatment for a long while, …Read MoreI am not quite sure about this question, nor do I know enough about the topic, but I am aware the controversy. I personally believe that genetic engineering has not been a treatment for a long while, meaning that there could be some mistakes or accidents which raises concerns. The ability for genetic engineering to potentially cure or treat diseases like anemia or some cancers is outstanding, but as I said prior there are risks and changing embryos like this can also raise concerns of having “designer babies” and maybe longterm consequences we do not know about currently.Read Less
I think genetic engineering has potential to be a benefit for society, with disease prevention and such, but I don’t trust that people will stick to ethical purposes and feel like it would have to be …Read MoreI think genetic engineering has potential to be a benefit for society, with disease prevention and such, but I don’t trust that people will stick to ethical purposes and feel like it would have to be regulated (if that’s possible)Read Less
If genetic engineering in humans were restricted to medical benefits and gene therapy (rather than selecting for ‘preferable’ traits), it could be an ethically acceptable practice. Likewise, gene …Read MoreIf genetic engineering in humans were restricted to medical benefits and gene therapy (rather than selecting for ‘preferable’ traits), it could be an ethically acceptable practice. Likewise, gene engineering could greatly impact food security if rigorous testing and significant amounts of time were enforced to watch for unintended, long-term consequences. However, my faith in the restricting and enforcing measures is tenuous, and I am more concerned that gene engineering would ultimately become a tool for increasing the gap between economic classes, as some could receive treatment, some could engineer their crops, and some could not and would not be given the means to do so.Read Less
I think overall, genetic engineering is more of a net negative. Selecting more “desireable” traits for people to have is unethical and a slippery slope into eugenics. I dont support this.
One could also say that things like vaccines, modern medicine, and any form of technological innovation are unnatural. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad.
This is definitely a very controversial topic and I am stuck somewhere in the middle. I believe that genetic engineering can be very beneficial in terms of advancements in medicine and finding …Read MoreThis is definitely a very controversial topic and I am stuck somewhere in the middle. I believe that genetic engineering can be very beneficial in terms of advancements in medicine and finding treatments for certain diseases. However, the ethical debate is still really important to think about. Manipulating human genes to get more “desirable traits” is a concern of many people. I feel like there should be some restrictions on this testing.Read Less
This is a very difficult question to answer, but I ultimately chose “no.” I believe the so-called “medical benefits” can arguably be unethical themselves. Genetic engineering would most likely be used …Read MoreThis is a very difficult question to answer, but I ultimately chose “no.” I believe the so-called “medical benefits” can arguably be unethical themselves. Genetic engineering would most likely be used to “cure” disabilities—as if they are a disease. My first thought is that it could be used if a parent discovered their child had Down syndrome, something that has always existed and is not inherently bad. Yes, it can bring challenges, but it doesn’t ruin someone’s life. The idea of eliminating these traits altogether feels unethical to me.Read Less
I think that all the potential consequences combined probably outweigh the benefits, mainly because of the slippery eugenicist utility genetic engineering is likely to have. That being said, I’m not …Read MoreI think that all the potential consequences combined probably outweigh the benefits, mainly because of the slippery eugenicist utility genetic engineering is likely to have. That being said, I’m not sure it would be ethical to ban genetic engineering either, because I feel like we owe it to the people who would benefit from it to try. I am not really confident either way— it’s kind of like the AI problem in that regard.Read Less
This is a tough one, it almost feels like something out of a sci-fi episode: engineering and modifying genes. I remember reading an article about CRISPR, where they ran DNA through a computer that …Read MoreThis is a tough one, it almost feels like something out of a sci-fi episode: engineering and modifying genes. I remember reading an article about CRISPR, where they ran DNA through a computer that read the code and identified and then corrected deformities. It blew my mind.
We’ve become so advanced that, honestly, it almost doesn’t matter what my personal take is, because in the world of science, where huge sums of money are involved, this kind of genetic “perfecting” is likely to become normalized.
We’ve turned into a society desperate to be free from any kind of pain. We fear discomfort so much that we’ve numbed it with drugs, and now, the next frontier seems to be gene perfection. It feels unnatural… but then again, what even defines “natural” anymore?
This technology could change lives for the better, but I worry about the West’s obsession with vanity and its fear of pain. Read Less
I am not quite sure about this question, nor do I know enough about the topic, but I am aware the controversy. I personally believe that genetic engineering has not been a treatment for a long while, …Read MoreI am not quite sure about this question, nor do I know enough about the topic, but I am aware the controversy. I personally believe that genetic engineering has not been a treatment for a long while, meaning that there could be some mistakes or accidents which raises concerns. The ability for genetic engineering to potentially cure or treat diseases like anemia or some cancers is outstanding, but as I said prior there are risks and changing embryos like this can also raise concerns of having “designer babies” and maybe longterm consequences we do not know about currently. Read Less
I think genetic engineering has potential to be a benefit for society, with disease prevention and such, but I don’t trust that people will stick to ethical purposes and feel like it would have to be …Read MoreI think genetic engineering has potential to be a benefit for society, with disease prevention and such, but I don’t trust that people will stick to ethical purposes and feel like it would have to be regulated (if that’s possible) Read Less
If genetic engineering in humans were restricted to medical benefits and gene therapy (rather than selecting for ‘preferable’ traits), it could be an ethically acceptable practice. Likewise, gene …Read MoreIf genetic engineering in humans were restricted to medical benefits and gene therapy (rather than selecting for ‘preferable’ traits), it could be an ethically acceptable practice. Likewise, gene engineering could greatly impact food security if rigorous testing and significant amounts of time were enforced to watch for unintended, long-term consequences. However, my faith in the restricting and enforcing measures is tenuous, and I am more concerned that gene engineering would ultimately become a tool for increasing the gap between economic classes, as some could receive treatment, some could engineer their crops, and some could not and would not be given the means to do so. Read Less
Don’t know enough about it to have an informed opinion.
I think overall, genetic engineering is more of a net negative. Selecting more “desireable” traits for people to have is unethical and a slippery slope into eugenics. I dont support this.
Just because we can do it doesn’t mean we should. It’s unnatural.
One could also say that things like vaccines, modern medicine, and any form of technological innovation are unnatural. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad.
This is definitely a very controversial topic and I am stuck somewhere in the middle. I believe that genetic engineering can be very beneficial in terms of advancements in medicine and finding …Read MoreThis is definitely a very controversial topic and I am stuck somewhere in the middle. I believe that genetic engineering can be very beneficial in terms of advancements in medicine and finding treatments for certain diseases. However, the ethical debate is still really important to think about. Manipulating human genes to get more “desirable traits” is a concern of many people. I feel like there should be some restrictions on this testing. Read Less
This is a very difficult question to answer, but I ultimately chose “no.” I believe the so-called “medical benefits” can arguably be unethical themselves. Genetic engineering would most likely be used …Read MoreThis is a very difficult question to answer, but I ultimately chose “no.” I believe the so-called “medical benefits” can arguably be unethical themselves. Genetic engineering would most likely be used to “cure” disabilities—as if they are a disease. My first thought is that it could be used if a parent discovered their child had Down syndrome, something that has always existed and is not inherently bad. Yes, it can bring challenges, but it doesn’t ruin someone’s life. The idea of eliminating these traits altogether feels unethical to me. Read Less
I think that all the potential consequences combined probably outweigh the benefits, mainly because of the slippery eugenicist utility genetic engineering is likely to have. That being said, I’m not …Read MoreI think that all the potential consequences combined probably outweigh the benefits, mainly because of the slippery eugenicist utility genetic engineering is likely to have. That being said, I’m not sure it would be ethical to ban genetic engineering either, because I feel like we owe it to the people who would benefit from it to try. I am not really confident either way— it’s kind of like the AI problem in that regard. Read Less