...The What If Factor In “Ethics and the New Genetics” , the Dalai Lama is concerned about society being able to follow and uphold a moral compass while our technological capabilities advance, which is extremely easy and practical for a religious leader to say. What if the Dalai Lama is extremely wrong and biased in his outlook on what the world will look like after such major medical advances? The Dalai Lama says there may be many consequences of science on culture and society. In all reality, consequences will never be known unless; these medical and technological advances are introduced and tried out. Consequences and effects play a very major role in science; it is all trial and error. The Dalai Lama may try to give the good and bad sides of these advances; however, they are vague and cannot be taken as the “doctrine” or “moral compass” for society. The Dalai Lama comes from Tibet, a place where people are not as nearly as modern or technologically advanced as Americans or other world powers. Tibetans have totally different priorities, morals and outlooks on life. So, how could the Dalai Lama expect for modernized people to follow his guidance when he comes from a background that lives for the future and not the present? In reality, the world is having so many medical and social issues now, from the swine flu outbreak to the present state of our economy. Do we forget about these present issues and just focus on a future world that may not even be here in the near future...
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...Embryo Harvesting & Freezing/Genetic Manipulation, Part II We are living in a new era where technology can help women have babies in unconventional ways. Having children is a personal choice. In some people’s view, government should not be regulating when people should and should not start having a family. The ethical issue is when the parents start applying for governmental benefits after the baby is conceived via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and born posthumously. When practicing IVF, are we violating God’s will? This paper is to discuss the views of the four candidates interviewed in relation to posthumous conception and delivery, their views on benefits/inheritance entitlement to these babies, and ethical principles and theories in question. J.K. opinion is that every person should be free to exercise their autonomy and make decisions that are right for them without the influence of governmental regulations. J.K. follows the principles of respect for autonomy which is allowing for the capacity for self-determination (Ascension Health, 2013). She has firsthand knowledge and the experience of a person that was unable to conceive a child in her current relationship. She knows the pain and the emotional rollercoaster that can only be known by someone who has experienced infertility. She also believes that the time of conception should be a personal decision, not regulated by the government and that financial benefits should be provided to that child. R.L. has very strong...
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...THE GENETIC ENGINEERING: FRIEND OR FOE By The discussion about genetic engineering has been going on for a long time. Over the last two decades the science behind genetic engineering has advanced rapidly. Since scientists have gained the ability to map most of the human genome, they have begun to understand the different ways that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be manipulated or altered. The manipulation and altering of DNA can be done by many different methods, but the goals of these methods are all the same; to manipulate the genetic material in order to change its hereditary traits or to produce biological products. Experiments have been conducted in many different areas to include: bacteria, naturally produced drugs, plants, livestock, and laboratory animals. Many processes around genetic engineering are still in the experimental stages, but some processes that deal with bacteria, natural produced drugs and plants have gained approval from agencies such as the Federal Department of Agriculture. The most controversial matters about genetic engineering is its potential us in human beings. This brings rise to many ethical and moral issues about genetic engineering, which we will discuss. In general there are three techniques used in the manipulation of human genes, they are cloning, somatic cell manipulation, and human germline manipulation. In general, cloning consists of creating exact copies...
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...White Strayer University Professor Allen May 29, 2016 Science has advanced with the evolution of biotechnology. Animals models through genetic manipulation has greatly helped the development of scientific and biomedical knowledge. New ideas for treatment of genetic diseases and other diseases that benefit human and all living things The initial studies of George Mendel in 1865, researchers have contributed to the understanding and the consolidation of his idea which until then was only promising. (Chaible, 2010) During decades of studies important events took place such as discovery of relationship of DNA with the transmission of genetic traits, DNA cloning and sequencing, and allowing the production of the production of the first transgenic mice. (Chaible, 2010) The start of the 20th century, the appearance of the first genetic studies involving animal models. Mutant animals appeared in production colonies, differing from their parents and able to pass on this to their offspring. Rudolph Jaevisch published the first report of introduction of an exogenous DNA virus(SV40) into mouse embryos. (Chaible, 2010) Gordon and Ryddle reported the birth of a mouse that had been genetically modified through microinjection of purified DNA into single-cell mouse embryos. This methodology marked the birth of transgenesis and controlled genetic alteration in animal models. (Chaible, 2010) Some types of genetically modified animals are transgenic animals, knockout animals, knock-in...
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...DNA Technology BIO/240 May 6, 2013 DNA Technology INTRO – LEE DNA Technology: Cloning, Gene Therapy, and Stem Cell Research DNA technology encompasses a wide variety of applications and because of the duplicating nature of DNA, it is easy to see how humans could benefit from its manipulation. One such technology is cloning. Cloning technology comes in three forms: recombinant DNA cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. Cloning Recombinant DNA cloning consists of transferring DNA fragments from an organism to a self-replicating element, like a bacterial plasmid. The fragments join with the cloning vector and are reproduced with the host cell. This technology is most commonly known for its use in genetically modified foods. DNA fragments that code for better tasting, higher nutrient qualities are spliced into regular plants to produce super foods (US Dept of Energy Genome Program, 2009). Reproductive cloning takes all the genetic information out of a cell and replaces it with DNA from the desired organism. With luck, this cell will begin to divide until it becomes an embryo and can be implanted into a host mother (US Dept of Energy Genome Program, 2009). Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Research Therapeutic cloning is by far the most controversial. This type of cloning produces human embryos for use in research, and usually for the stem cells that can be harvested from these embryos. Stem cells can be used to clone organs and body parts from the...
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...and it is more precise. This allows scientist so manipulate what they can have it search for, remove, and replace. Crispr is used to cut and paste old and new DNA into certain locations. It is essentially a form of genetic modification, the most advanced Humans have discovered to date as of yet. Many have made movies and wrote books on the possibilities of Genetic modification, with designer babies and abnormal looking people coming to mind one must realize, this Science fiction reality is here; yet it is not like what the media...
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...Genetic Engineering Facts By definition, Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism’s genetic make up through artificial means often involving the transfer of specific traits known as genes, from one organism to another. In simpler terms, it is the manipulation of DNA to alter an organism’s characteristics in a particular way. The following are some important facts one needs to know on this topic. Genetic engineering can mean deleting DNA to get rid of undesired traits or introducing new genes to get desired traits, but it can also mean combining DNA from separate people. We can begin by talking about the Human Genome Project. The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international research effort to determine the DNA sequence of the entire human genome. HGP researchers untangled the human genome using three tools: producing what are called linkage maps, through which inherited traits (such as those for genetic disease) can be tracked over generations; making maps that show the locations of genes for major sections of all our chromosomes; and determining the order, or "sequence," of all the bases in our genome's DNA. The research revealed that there are probably somewhere around 30,000 human genes and has given the world detailed information about the structure, organization and function of the human genes and other functional components found in DNA. This information can be seen as the basic set of inheritable "instructions" for the development and function of a...
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...Genetic Enhancement on the Human Genome The debate on whether human genetic engineering should be researched and used as the main alternative solution to disease have been going on since the creation of the "human genetic engineering" phenomenon. The ethical question is clear: should money be invested in human genetic engineering and should we research it at all, even if it is formally criticized by all monotheistic religions? The ethical principles in conflict are beneficence (people with fatal diseases could be cured) and non-maleficence (undermines the will of God, according to religious groups and in addition, there is no guarantee of successful results). My stance on this debated topic is that human genetic engineering should not be funded or researched, as there is no 100% guarantee that it will be successful, and in addition, I am a very religious person, and in my opinion, the body that a person has is a gift of God, and it should not be changed in any ways. However, there are still thousands of people with fatal diseases who have no hope for surviving, and human genetic engineering could serve as the only hope for them. There are many sides that can be affected either positively or negatively if human genetic engineering is funded and researched, however, the major stakeholders are primarily the government of US and private companies who fund all the experiments, people with fatal diseases who hope for any type of cure., and the science in general, because if human genetic...
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...Brave New World of Genetic Engineering In the novel Brave New World, Huxley uses genetic engineering to simplify the life of the people of London by relieving them of the obligation of bearing children. As times where industrializing Huxley worried that his fictional future would actually take place in the American culture. Genetic engineering in Brave New World requires manipulation and recreations of the DNA sequence, creating new organism by deleting and inserting genes. As inventions enlarged, genetic engineering had many propositions arise, a touch manipulation of life’s true purpose. Determining American citizens to be identified or individualized. Human beings are too abstract to be genetically engineered, there is no possible copy alternate the human soul. The most precious gift given to every human being “Our ancestors were so stupid and short-sighted that when the first reformers came along and offered to deliver them from those horrible emotions, they wouldn't have anything to do with them” (Huxley pp45)....
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...Designer babies are children that are born from embryos that have been genetically modified, or genetically screened, forms of IVF (In Vitro fertilisation). The embryo is removed from the female, put in a Petri dish and fertilised with the father's sperm, where the genetic structure of the embryo (in some cases it can be an immature egg cell; an oocytes) is analysed. With genetic screening, the embryos containing the undesired traits, such as sever health issues, are terminated. When the correct traits are found in the embryo, it is inserted in to the mother. With genetic modification, a third biological parent can be created when the genes of the original parents are removed from an egg with unreliable mitochondrial DNA which has been fertilised...
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...can preserve the environment by reducing the use of herbicide. But there are some doubts about producing GM crops or livestock. Some experts worry about widespread distribution of GM food because GM food is not proven to be safe, may reduce biodiversity, and create “super weeds.” In spite of those opponents, GM food should become more widespread because it is a solution to world hunger; it has more nutrients than those of regular food; it reduces environmental damage, and it can help control diseases. Since Gregor Mendel’s discovery, certain traits show up in offspring without any blending of parent characteristics. People recognized the possibility of GM organism by selecting genes. According to the book, Plant Biotechnology: the Genetic Manipulation of Plants, written by Adrian Salter, the "green revolution," led by Norman Borlaug, Monkombu Swaminatha and Gurdev Khush, enabled the world’s food supply to be tripled during the last three decades of the 20th Century. Adopting molecular breeding biotechnology increases the amount of product and decreases the cost of production, so people can get foods at lower price....
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...compares twenty first century technology genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics (GNR) to older nuclear, biological and chemical technology (NBC). He discussed the potential dangers of NBC that the world has dealt with for many years and explained how much more dangerous GNR is. In his comparison he explained how close the world came to being destroyed with nuclear technology in the past and how GNR is even more dangerous. According to Joy GNR technology could give humans the power to control creations and possibly the most dangerous factor is that GNR is capable of replicating itself. This technology could definitely be used by the military, but also has the potential to be used outside the military. If used outside of the military there would be no way to stop it. He fears that this technology could fall into the hands of terrorist or those wanting to harm others. Joy feels that the only way to stop catastrophic devastation from GNR is for the world to abandon the pursuit of certain areas of this technology and set up a type of control measure similar to what was used with biological weapons to insure that it never gets into the wrong hands. Genetic engineering has been real helpful in farming and has revolutionized agriculture by increasing crop yield while reducing the need for herbicides or pesticides. It will also create cures for many diseases increasing the human life span and way of life. Joy expressed his concerns with genetic engineering and...
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...Genetic Engineering Wesley Rupe, Jawad Rana, Layli Stroia, Charles Taiwo, Mariella Velasquez, Mark Young DeVry University Genetic Engineering Table of contents Title page ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1 Table of contents ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 1. A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science (Mariella Velasquez) ………………………………………………..……………. 3 2. Psychological considerations and sociological effects (Mariella Velasquez) …………. 3 3. The historical development and context of the technology (Wesley Rupe) …………. 13 4. Political and legal influences (Mark Young) (Not Complete) 5. Economic questions and considerations (Jawad Rana)………………………………….…… 21 6. The technology in its cultural context, media influence (Charles Taiwo) (Not Complete) 7. Implications for the environment (Charles Taiwo) (Not Complete) 8. Moral and ethical implications (Layli Stroia) ……………………………………………………..… 30 Outline A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science Definition: What is Genetic Engineering? Genetic engineering (GE) is the process of manipulation of an organism genome to create a new DNA. The new DNA might be implanted in a totally different DNA species. It is widely used to create hybrids (some species are not able to naturally breed), correct genetic flows in any type of being. It is applied in...
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...Walter Glannon: Genes, Embryos, and Future People Bioethics, 02699702, Jul98, Vol. 12, Issue 3 ABSTRACT: Testing embryonic cells for genetic abnormalities gives us the capacity to predict whether and to what extent people will exist with disease and disability. Moreover, the freezing of embryos for long periods of time enables us to alter the length of a normal human lifespan. After highlighting the shortcomings of somatic-cell gene therapy and germ-line genetic alteration, I argue that the testing and selective termination of genetically defective embryos is the only medically and morally defensible way to prevent the existence of people with severe disability, pain and suffering that make their lives not worth living for them on the whole. In addition, I consider the possible harmful effects on children born from frozen embryos after the deaths of their biological parents, or when their parents are at an advanced age. I also explore whether embryos have moral status and whether the prospects for disease-preventing genetic alteration can justify long-term cryopreservation of embryos. INTRODUCTION Recent advances in reproductive biotechnology have given us the ability to intervene in the process of human biological development from embryos to people. One type of intervention is the testing of embryos for genetic defects that cause disease, which enables us to choose between allowing these embryos to result in disabled people or selectively terminating...
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...Ivelin Yuriev Samantha B. Messinger ENC 1101 4 June 2011 End of Race-Is it Possible? Steve Olsen and Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, had an interesting discussion about the human race, where they both expressed a valid concern about its genetic future. However, they used two different approaches to prove their theories. The Dalai Lama, in 2005, wrote the book, The Universe in a Single Atom. In his chapter “Ethics and the New Genetics” Gyatso focuses on the benefits of genetic engineering and its enormous potential, while warning us of its harmful consequences. In contrast, but yet pursuing the same point, Steve Olson in his book “Mapping Human History” (2002) and the chapter “The End of Race: Hawaii and the Mixing of Peoples” traces the differences and similarities between people of various races and ethnicity. He uses the frequencies of genetic mutations in the mitochondria, migration from one continent to another and racially mixed populations where the target is the mostly American state of Hawaii. Should the world be concerned about the end of singular genetic ethnicity of each race? And is it going to happen? Race most likely will disappear as we now know. It seems to have been defined as two general groups-white and black, distinct from one another by only color of complexion. The white race will not be truly white, the black race will not be truly black, and the brown, yellow and red races will not be truly genetically ethnic either. What does race actually...
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