Sunday, May 22, 2011

Genetics and ethics

So, from many classroom conversations it can be revealed that I am very much in favour of using science and technology to manipulate human DNA. While I recognise that there are a lot of ethical reasons to prevent such reseach from continuing, I also think that this technology could help alot of people - but where do we draw the line?
Using the internet, research this topic and contribute to this conversation, you do not have to leave your name (it can be annonymous) but I will be checking that all of you have posted something - Mrs E
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9 comments:

  1. BjörnMay 22, 2011 at 5:04 AM

    Using genetic technologies to manipulate human DNA is a good idea especially for diseases that impact the quality of life for a person, such as muscular dystrophy. If doctors and scientists are able to prevent a person from being born with this disease, that person can go on to live a relatively "normal" life. However, a line should be drawn when using these technologies to determine relatively trivial characteristics such as eye colour, which does not play a very important role in a person’s overall health. Currently, scientists manipulate the genomes of microorganisms when carrying out research. Although this is done with the purpose of benefitting society, one must also consider the ethical and clinical issues if such a manipulated strain were released into the general population, especially if the strain were altered to be more virulent.
    Although there is the potential to misuse the technology that allows the manipulation of DNA, overall, society stands to gain greatly. Finally, I strongly believe that legislation is yet to catch up with technology.
    Bj E

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  2. LindaMay 24, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    I agree with the statement above as I believe that using genetic technologies to manipulate human DNA would be beneficial to society. This is due to it potentially being used as a tool to remove the chances of offspring having diseases such as Chronic heart ailments, Asthma, Diabetes, etc. Thus, I believe that further research and studies into the use of genetic engineering should be sought into. However, I do not condone the use of living organisms being tested to further this research and believe that if genetic engineering is ever released to the public it will be abused by parents for trivial, stereotyped matters such as hair colour, skin colour, eye colour, etc .

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  3. Dr EspedidoMay 24, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Linda this is a very insightful comment, thank you! By not condoning the use of living organsisms, does this mean that you are against stem cell research?

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  4. Kat and EddyMay 25, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    In the case that stem cell research involves the termintion of embryos, it's not cool.

    Anything I had to say about this blog post has already been mentioned in the two prior essay-like comments. Research should be untaken and used to benefit society in discoveries concerning health or what not - but not in relation to nonessential traits that don't hinder their life... After a while of tweaking around with hair colour/eye colour and such - it's not really going to be "your" child anymore.

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  5. c.ngo_May 25, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    I'm JB, just if it doesn't pop up and say "Clinton said.." =)

    But, personally I reckon manipulating human DNA to minimise the chance of dire diseases should be allowed. It's just like surgery before your born! If we could cure diabetes and heart ailments whilst we're alive we would, wouldn't we? Although, altering traits such as hair and eye color is superficial.

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  6. LindaMay 25, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Thanks, and I believe that Stem cell research is one of those things where it is difficult to decide whether you are for or against it. I am not against it because the results of the research can prove very beneficial for society but, like Katrina said, the termination of embryos is not cool.

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  7. Dr EspedidoMay 26, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    JB your comment on surgery before birth is really interesting and a new perspective I had not considered! And in reality, many doctors now perform surgery on babies before they are born anyway. This is perhaps just taking it one step further? However, using DNA technology - perhaps that potential child would not even exist because we would not implant "faulty" embyros with disease in their genome?

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  8. Dr EspedidoMay 26, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Katrina, i agree with you on the termination for research purposes only - but what if the terminations were to happen anyway, should we be allowed to use them? It is a very controversial topic....... many aspects of science in their time were controversial and confronting - spontaneous generation being opposed to microorganisms that cause disease is a good example

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  9. Kat and EddyJune 14, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    I agree with Linda in terms that it's hard to be for and against but even so the destruction of embryos is so sad. I read once that just because it was "going to happen anywway" doesn't mean that they should be put to use. In the same way that old people or prisoners on deathrow are going to "die anyway" doesn't mean that they should be/are tested on or used.

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