Will Genetic Engineering Change Humanity?
Designing the Future of Humanity
Scientists already know how to use genetic engineering and genetic testing to treat some genetic ilnesses and to determine the gender of the fetus. Because of the recent progress in genetic engineering, many scientists believe that in the future, parents will be able to design their children. Almost every day, scientists identify new genes and the traits that they control. The genes that signal diseases can also be identified. In the future, scientists expect to be able to identify the genes that determine most human traits, including those that affect physical appearance, intellect, and personality. When that happens, surveys show that many parents will use genetic engineering to choose desirable traits for their children. Many people think that there is nothing wrong with using this technology to design children with the features they desire.
However, many scientists believe that this type of genetic engineering will not be possible for at least 100 years. Although some scientists are convinced that there are genes for almost all traits, others disagree. They do not think that genes control complex personality traits or intellect. And still others believe that use of genetic engineering should be limited to just those cases in which the health of the mother or her fetus is threatened.
The use of genetic engineering to design leads to some difficult moral questions, for example: Will the children of rich parents have more design advantages than the children of poor parents who can not afford genetic engineering? But the most important question is: Will genetic engineering change what it means to be human?
What is the most important concern about genetic engineering on humans?
Genetic engineering brings up some social and moral questions. What is the most important question?
© 2014 Seckin Esen