Ethics of Genetic Engineering
Ethics of Genetic Engineering
The world today is continuously experiencing developments in technology which have never been undergone before by human being. From day to day, innovations get made in fields such as medicine, science, and others, with such, millions of people have been able to achieve what was previously impossible to accomplish. In The Case Against Perfection Michael Sandel argues on the genetic enhancement of human beings. He puts forth a response concerning aspects of modern technological progress which is hugely relevant, eloquent and engaging. In his argument, Sandel addresses the possibility of manipulating genetics. Despite him presenting some compelling arguments and making useful critiques, not all the arguments in his discussion are convincing. He critiques the desire of various individuals in society who wish to use genetic enhancement with the goal of improving the next generation. Sandel further explains the unethical effects which result from biotechnology and which it’s likely to have in future as regards to genetic engineering.
For years, people have questioned the ethics revolving around genetic engineering. In The Case Against Perfection, Sandel utilizes a different tactic to explain the “unease” in society concerning the morality of genetic engineering. Sandel acknowledges the fact that the innovations in the field do present positive and negative implications. He from time to time opposes the idea of utilizing cloning and genetic engineering to come up with human being features that are preferred. In The Case Against Perfection, he states that
“what began as an attempt to treat a disease or prevent a genetic disorder now beckons as an instrument of improvement and consumer choice” (Sandel 10).
Sandel tries warning his readers that genetic engineering may affect the morals and values of the society negatively, for example, he claims that taking advantage of genetic improvement will disrupt the nature of human beings and that characteristic of “giftedness” present among people. In his explanation on genetic engineering, he perceives it as immoral given that it takes our human nature thus presenting us as something else; once the genetic makeup of individuals gets taken, human dignity gets lost. Sandel further provides the advantages and disadvantages of muscles genetic changes, enrichment and suppression of memory, alteration of height, and selection of sex.
Sandel fears of the negative consequences genetic improvements will have in the world. He argues that if the genetic technology gets misused, then people will from time to time screen embryos to affirm that only desirable traits, for example, disease immunity, sex, intelligence, and sex are preserved. The screening will result in practices that threaten the dignity of human beings, for instance, in cases where parents have to choose sex traits of their children. As such, Sandel argues that by the end of it all, people will be manipulating their nature and making themselves better. He talks about natural ability and defines the ethics surrounding giftedness. Sandel notes that people should learn to appreciate that children are gifts or blessings. Therefore, children should not be seen as objects that human beings can design. When parents are not able to perceive life to be a gift, they find it hard understanding the birth mystery. With the use of genetic engineering on the rise, parents are unlikely to avoid. Therefore, individuals need to decide on what they should do; whether right or wrong. Wrongs decisions will eventually hinder the parent-child relationship, and thus modesty will be lost.
Sandel discusses how athletes make use of genetic engineering and drugs that enhance their ability. It is wrong for an athlete to improve his/her physical traits with the aim of increasing his athletic ability. He/she becomes unfair for contenders who have not enhanced their athletic ability, and as a result, the dignity of the sports gets lost. There is a difference between healing and improving; athletes are required to use genetic therapy to repair their muscles in case they get injured. On the other hand, it’s immoral for the same athlete to extend such genetic treatment to enhance his muscles. Improving muscles will result in increased athletic ability thus end up having a biased advantage over other competitors who have not developed theirs (Sandel 12). Sandel further argues that some people will take advantage of genetic enhancements with the goal of attaining some social status hence increasing inequality. To solve the inequality issue, there needs to be a medical system that can be able to moderate and at the same time monitor how genetic therapy is utilized.
Sandel argues that giftedness allures people to admire human activities such as sports. Excellence in various activities gets inspired by giftedness, as such, athletes who get altered genetically do not suit athletic competitions that honor the display and nurturing of natural talent. Excellence in competitions is mainly recognized when the competitors display the natural skills and giftedness they possess. Success in things like athletics is earned and not inherited therefore when an athlete shows natural gift they cast believe that tribute and incentives are a result of effort (Sandel 28). From time to time, people have pressure in their aspiration to control Mother-Nature and the significance of respecting giftedness. Regardless of the efforts, we make in exercising our giftedness; it is not entirely our own doing. With that we should acknowledge that we are limited in the way we use things available in the world, therefore, regardless of the benefits genetic engineering has, we should always strive to appreciate giftedness.
From his arguments, Sandel trusts that humans do not understand the place they hold in the creation and usually confuse with the role God plays (Sandel 85). His position is that people should be humble; there is no need of parents selecting desired genetic traits of their children. The genetic enhancement will if encouraged devastate humility as it will establish incredible talents. It is essential that people refrain from relying on external sources and only be used when it’s the only option. For example, if individuals entirely depend on medication, there is a time they will face challenges especially when the medicine is out-of-stock. Sandel tends to believe that regardless of what genetic enhancement gets used for, consumers should not be dependent on it or use it to gain an advantage over others.
Despite Sandel portraying genetic engineering negatively, he at some point agrees that it can be used as a healing tool. Sandel argues about the difference between “healing and enhancing.” He denotes that the nature of medicine is to intercede but the fact that its goal is to reinstate the normal functioning of humans, it represents an uncontrolled attempt for dominion (Sandel 101). Humans require healing from time to time given that the universe is imperfect and incomplete as they continuously require repair and intervention due to the fact that not all that is offered is good. Using genetic engineering for example in creating designer babies is a manifestation of self-confidence marking the lost respect for the gift of life. On the other hand, using it to cure incapacitating diseases by the help of unplanted blastocysts upholds human creativity to support healing with the goal of repairing the body (Sandel 127). Healing only allows a sick or injured individual to flourish as opposed to overriding their natural abilities (Sandel 46).
In conclusion, Sandel addresses the adverse effects of genetic engineering and to some extent recognizes some of the probable positive implications the advancements could result in. Despite the genetic innovations finally becoming alternatives for consumers, it is unreasonable to argue that the consumers will with time be dependent. Though the case presented by Sandel is imaginary and relies on forthcoming changes in technology, he gives an ethical perception which does not need to be always considered whenever genetic engineering queries arise. Challenges occur when people quest for excellence, people should reject the inspiration to improve the nature of human beings using genetic engineering which does not support giftedness. Giftedness should always be appreciated. Eventually, it is not possible to avoid innovations; therefore, there is need for people to come up with approaches that can effectively govern developing markets to lessen possible threatening consequences.
