Extreme #1 :
Evolution is doing for us what we do not have the ability to do for ourselves. If we play with our genes, we may end up unable to evolve any further, or evolve into beings that are unable to survive without all our technology. We could be wiped out by a superbug that we can’t control. There is a reason why some embryo’s spontaneously abort… etc
Extreme #2 :
This technology has been developed for our benefit. Imagine the great leaps the human race could achieve. We could all have double the intelligence, then who knows what technology we might create. It’s a ride called Progress, and if we don’t jump on, we’ll be left behind.
In between the two extremes, we have all different reactions, thoughts and worries. Ranging from “do we have the right?” to “where would it stop?” and “it’s just not natural.” To be fair, I should probably include my own opinion… Please note it is only an opinion…
I can’t see the difference between altering someone’s genes and caring for that same person in a hospital. Take the haemophiliac as an example. They tend to die young, experience crippling pain and arthritis from an early age, and need constant treatment to relieve the pain and danger from internal bleeding. A purist would say they should not be treated, so they won’t make it to a breeding age, and so perpetuate the disease. This purist would obviously have no understanding of recessive genes. So, in our society we treat him, let him achieve a life-span and a standard of life that continues to increase as technology progresses. With today’s technology, if you were a known carrier of this disease, you could opt to have this mutated gene not used for creating your offspring. (don’t jump on me, I’m simplifying it)
What we are doing is preventative medicine, and is actually a lot cheaper (long term) and more efficient than treating the problem. This example is relating to manipulating genes for medical reasons, and I think is analogous to other medical procedures.
Manipulating genes for cosmetic reasons is ridiculous IMHO.
Manipulating genes at this point in time, is not a good idea at all since we know bugger-all about the genes, and how they operate. As Beeblebrox mentioned, there are genes that have more than one effect. Yes, we have mapped the genome. We have identified points along the chromosomes which code for certain proteins, which then have effects on our bodies. We even know that the presence of some proteins will start other genes to commence protein production. Bravo… aren’t we so smart.[/scarcasm off] We know that there is a whole lot of genetic material which codes for “nothing” (that we can see) and have nominated that material as “rubbish” genes. We theorise that this is ancestral DNA and therefore isn’t useful or needed, the genetic equivalent of appendix. May I repeat… ** We * theorise…***
We don’t know. Have a think about that. We don’t know… yet people already want to rush in and play.
[sub]Nearly finished… sorry this is turning into a bit of a rant[/sub]
Basically, while there is no difference between medical genetic manipulation and other medical procedures, (IMHO) this doesn’t mean we can charge in will-nilly. We need to study the hell out of genetic manipulation, until we think we know all the ins and outs. And then we have to study the hell out of it another three times, because guaranteed we missed something. We are not yet ready, as a society, or have enough understanding about this marvel of nature to start altering it yet…
Apologies if this started to sound like a rant, but I find it unbelievable how people (in general) seem to either be terrified (thanks media portrayal) or tunnel-visioned when this sort of thing arises. While there are many fine examples of the sort of thing which inspired this post, I will leave you with two…
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Introduced deer populations became a problem in New Zealand. One solution suggested was to introduce mountain lions to control the deer problem. D’oh
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Cane toads… need I say more
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Hi Opal,
Please, let’s think before we change things… and then let’s think a bit more before we go along with a bandaid solution.