Genetically Modified Human Embryos

Genetically Modified Human Embryos

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Genetically Modified Human Embryos

The concerns over the viability and effectiveness of human genetic modification is the ability to manipulate human characteristics which raises issues over eugenics and the classification of human embryos as commodities. In essence, human genetic modification is an unsafe technology given that it results in disruption of the chromosomes within an embryo to give rise to congenital deformities. As a result of its eugenic implications, this technology should be likened to human reproductive cloning.

Commodification of childbearing has been termed as one of the primary results of human genetic modification through designing of the characteristics of children (Gottweis, Salter & Waldby, 2009). This would create a market that is solely focused on trade of children and their subsequent treatment as commodities. This would result in the treatment of children as mere commodities similar to that held by individual and electronic appliances and other material possessions. The lack of adequate and sufficient somatic cell interventions to affirm the efficacy and safety of the presence impedes the applicability of this technology for clinical purposes (Chadwick, 2007).

However, given the presumed possibilities that could be provided by these interventions in improving human health and wellbeing, future research would be necessary to verify the efficacy and sufficiency of these interventions (Haugen, & Musser, 2009). The primary concern is the deterioration of the ethical relationship in terms of conception and childbearing. Alteration of genetic composition of individuals and their children would also affect the genetic makeup of future generations resulting in the decline of individuals with authentic genes. Furthermore, this would also result growth of eugenic ideals through genetically modified human embryos (Hodge, 2010). This can be attributed to the overly competitive nature of modern society driven by appeals such as physical traits, beauty, and intelligence at the expense of authenticity of human nature.

References

Chadwick, R. F. (2007). The bioethics reader: Editors’ choice. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.

Gottweis, H., Salter, B., & Waldby, C. (2009). The global politics of human embryonic stem cell science: Regenerative medicine in transition. Basingstoke [England: Palgrave Macmillan.

Haugen, D. M., & Musser, S. (2009). Genetic engineering: Opposing viewpoints. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.

Hodge, R. (2010). The future of genetics: Beyond the human genome project. New York, NY: Facts on File.