ethical issues that surround the genetic enhancement
Ethics
Introduction
The term genetic enhancement is used to refer to the introduction of certain changes into the genome or epigenome to modify and improve the pathological human traits. The genetic enhancement has become a topic of discussion for a long time for so many reasons. Most people do not understand what the current position is like but can image what science stands for how it advocates for this enhancement. The directed genetic changes with taking drugs which can be stopped of the adverse effects appear. These changes are copied at each cell division and therefore become a permanent feature of the cell in treated individuals. People have considered DNA and gene modification to be a secret of life. It promotes manipulation of genes for any purpose stricken them more momentous compared to most other forms of biotechnical intervention. In regards to this, there are so many ethical issues that surround the genetic enhancement.
Savulescu position is that genetic enhancement should not be feared, but people should consider it for themselves. Savulescu argues that you may take ethical responsibility to modify your children genetically. He states that human poses several limitations; some of these limitations range from ageing, cognitive limitation, physical limitation and moral limitations. Due to these limitations, science has given us a golden opportunity to change and overcome them, but we must ask ethical questions. If we agree with the actions, then we should take moral responsibility that will help users overcome this limitation. Savulescu states that we also have a moral obligation to overcome our moral limitations. Many people involve in genetic enhancement do so in the form of a group of about 150. These people care about their tribal group, and they tend to be violent to or derogate out of the group members. They are close to their friends and families but not to other people; therefore, in whatever you do to change the genetic characteristics, you must ensure that you think about moral responsibility.
Savulescu notes that the public has taken a keen interest in the enhancement of people’s genetic composition. Most women employ cosmetics surgery to make their nose similar or their breasts larger. They use genetic modification to make changes in their bodies. Men too, have employed different type of genetic modification at different measures. They have pumped their bodies with steroids to increase muscle bulk. The beauty industry is a great testimony to the enhancement. Body art such as painting, application of tattoos and body modification such as piercing have begun to represent ways that enhance their creativity (Savulescu, pg420). The sports industry is not also left out as report has emerged that there is the widespread use of drugs such as human erythropoietin, anabolic steroids and another growth hormone to enhance their performance. The use of these genetic modifications has caused negative effects on the lives of these people. The scientist has noted that some effective performance enhancement is allowed in sports. Enhancement such as caffeine, glutamine helps during the training of the sports personnel.
Radical enhancement may be used to prevent and treat disease. The scientist has continuously rated a rat model of genetic disease to test the effect of certain genetic factors in the life of human beings. Remotivation therapy has consistently helped in human functionality and suggested that environmental stimulation in their genetics disease may affect brain biological at the molecular level. The use of Prozac has also shown to produce more benefits on human beings who are suffering from a disease such as Huntington. Savulescu has produced certain factors and explanation of the use of genetic enhancement. He as stated that although the use of enhancement is beneficial, every person considering to use it must evaluate the effects and the benefits that come with it. He uses the example of athletes by giving condition where the use of this genetic modification has been successful and areas where it has failed.
Savulescu has presented three major arguments on the use of genetic enhancement. The first argument focuses on choosing whether the genetic enhancement is wrong. In his argument, he gave an illustration of a neglectful parent. A neglectful parent gave birth to a child who has a special condition. Although the child has a stunning intellect, he requires a simple supplemental to sustain this intellect. These people neglect the diet of this child, and the stunning intellect of this child become normal. Savulescu states that this is clearly wrong. The second arguments are on consistency. Under this argument, Savulescu states that while we do have an obligation to institute different from dietary supplementation, the people need biological intervention to get full growth. Generally, this argument accepts the environmental intervention that helps improve the growth and development of the children (Savulescu, pg420). Education diet, training is meant to make the children better people in society and increase their opportunity to succeed in life. Through modification, we train children to give good behaviour and to cooperate with the intellect. In most cases, researchers are looking at ways and means to make the environment more stunning for young children to maximize their way of thinking and development.
I am convinced with his argument presented by Savulescu. The third argument states that genetic enhancement may not be different from the normal treatment. He states that if we accept treatment and prevention of disease, then we should accept the genetic enhancement. He states that the goodness of health is what drives every moral obligation. Health matters, and it indeed enable users to leave a good life. Presence of diseases prevents us from achieving our goals in life. Health is instrumentally valuable as is treated as a resource which allows us to do what matters in our lives which is to lead a good life.
What makes up a good life is the major question to ask, the hedonistic theory suggests that what is good is having a pleasant experience and being happy. Based on the desire fulfilment theory and economic, life is about satisfying the needs. The most important thing is having our desires and preferences satisfied. Objective theory, on the other hand, states that certain activities are good for people developing deep personal relationships, talents and understanding oneself and the world at large. Sometimes many people will trade wealth for their wellbeing. The climbers will risk achieving what they want to achieve. The most important point that the author is driving at in this case is the ability to realize when to use genetics enhancement in our bodies. Our bodies may react if we use this enhancement in the wrong way, and therefore, we must be cautious about how this enhancement is used.
Works Cited:
Savulescu, Julian. “Genetic interventions and the ethics of enhancement of human beings.” Readings in the Philosophy of Technology (2009): 417-430.