Genetic enhancement ethics
The ethics of genetic enhancement on humans
Human genetic enhancement is the use of genetic knowledge and techniques to improve the capacity of an individual. It aims at improving human physiological and intellectual character and capabilities. It’s the transfer of foreign genetic sequence into a human. Cloning is also part of genetic human enhancement. Ethical concerns have arisen regarding the safety and efficiency of genetic enhancement on humans. The potential of application has questioned whether moral principles can allow it. Despite its many benefits to the human generation, many have argued that human genetic enhancement is unacceptable (Shuri & Isa, 2018). No single country has been allowed to carry research on genetic human enhancement. Most countries emphasize preserving their cultures, religion, and beliefs.
To determine whether the genetic enhancement is ethical on a human it would be important to consider a few things. We must consider what benefits of genetically enhancing humans. It is mostly used for medicinal benefits and, it can lead to bigger capabilities of the human body. Anatomy is also very important when it comes to the question of ethics. Any person who will be part of the genetic enhancement must give consent. Human dignity must also be taken into consideration. Human values and proper dignity of human life must be upheld (Roque & Macpherson, 2019). Human rights are universal and they should be respected. Any practice that can cause harm to the human body should not be allowed.
Human genetic enhancement should be allowed as it benefits the human race in dealing with diseases. Ethical guidelines should be set while considering all human rights to facilitate the application of the genetic human enhancement. Communication with the public on the progress of the genetic human enhancement will be vital. The research will concern the public and they should be aware of the progress of the study. They also must consider what would happen if they took that road and will the moral principle allow.
The moral question will be whether by doing genetic human enhancements they would be playing God? Some scientists may want to play God in their medical research. Most people regard that as immoral and unethical. They believe that it is only God who has the power to create life. Modifying human nature will bring harm to mankind. Most of the critics believe that it is morally wrong to create or modify a human being. Scientists feel that they should not be tired down in researching by ethics. For the medicine to grow, there should be no such limitation as moral values. They feel like they should be allowed to go on with the invention because there is already available technology. Others feel that science should be kept away from destroying mankind.
In conclusion, it is important to know that one-day human genetic enhancement will become a reality. With the rise in terminal illness, the medical enhancement will need to be used on humans. The genetic human enhancement will be used to provide a cure for many illnesses and to prevent diseases. For this reason, it will be important that society is given feedback on what is happening. Scientists should not try to play God in there invention by they should use the knowledge wisely. They should consider human dignity and have respect for all human rights. Any practices that can endanger the life of a person should not be allowed. Science should not also compromise people’s believes and moral standards.
References
Isa, N. M., & Shuri, M. F. H. S. (2018). Ethical Concerns about Human Genetic Enhancement in the Malay Science Fiction Novels. Science and engineering ethics, 24(1), 109-127.
Roqué, M. V., Segarra, I., & Macpherson, I. (2019). Ethical Challenges of Germline Genetic Enhancement. Frontiers in Genetics, 10(767).