- Published: December 28, 2021
- Updated: December 28, 2021
- Level: Secondary School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 13
Do you think that there is a danger that genetic engineering will be abused? There is a danger that genetic engineering will be abused. Ethical genetic counseling and engineering are possible within a society ready to pass ethical genetic engineering laws. However in societies with emphasis placed on gender, race, or health, there is a real danger of genetic engineering being abused. If genetic engineering starts making children this way or that way, who gets to decide what a child becomes?
The example of deaf parents wanting deaf children as being morally harmful is a good example. However, the same example of being a woman can be made. If a family wants a girl child genetically engineered in Saudi Arabia, would it be morally correct? Even knowing that a girl in Saudi Arabia is doomed never to feel the sun on her face after puberty? These two examples are decisions doctors cannot determine moral or immoral. Even if laws were in place, these two circumstances cannot be determined right or wrong, because the conflicting views held by parent and doctor.
Genetic engineering has potential of being abused. It is like all technology and science. As the field advances, issues of morality arise. These morality issues must be addressed, even if the science is advancing faster than the issues arising. As long as the potential of dangerous misuse of genetic engineering is recognized, then the possibility of stopping genetic engineering misuse is more likely.