FREE Genetically Engineered Babies Essay (original) (raw)

We are an extremely advanced and intellectual species. To this day, there has been no hard evidence of any other species more advanced than the human being. Just how did we get to where we are now? How are we different from our ancient ancestors? There are undoubtedly drastic differences between the archaic Homo sapiens and us. Each one of us is a witness and product of natural evolution. Humans have evolved tremendously within the last three hundred thousand or so years. While we may have left behind some of our physical abilities and hunting skills that our ancestors possessed, we have made up for it in brains and intelligence. Seeing how far humans have gotten, it would seem sensible to say that the path of evolution is not an unfavorable one. Humans have adapted to survive and have developed in a civilized way and have thrived. Darwin's theory of evolution seems to have held its ground. Now, as we explore new territory in science and technology and are capable of cloning and engineering live humans, we must stop and take a look at the world around us. Have we gone so astray as to even consider creating life artificially? In consideration of the concerns brought up with genetically engineering "designer babies", such as morality issues, humaneness, unknown consequences, and eugenics, the development of designer babies should not be legalized, let alone be popularized.
As with any and every subject involving human life, designer babies are examined through a perspective concerning morality. Designing life by manipulating and sperm and egg cells and inserting specific genes is very similar to human cloning, so it comes as no surprise that moral issues are one of the primary concerns. The fact of the matter is that there are "moral dilemmas engendered by the latest developments in infertility research" (Bevan, 1) is somewhat of an understatement. Bringing together gametes in a test tube is a big deal to those who value human life, and rightly so.

1. Genetically Engineering Babies is Wrong

Soon, there will be stores called Moron-be-Gone or Babies-R-Us. ... No one is able to tell from this moment if the future of genetic engineered life will be safe. ... Some of the genetically engineered lives may be superior to others. ... Tomorrow, with further developments in the genetic engineering of babies, you may just be another experiment your parents are conducting. The proposed genetic engineering of babies is unethical, immoral and unsafe. ...

2. Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineers have been basically removing a desirable gene section from one organism, and implanting it into another. ... In February 1997 a baby lamb was born at the Roslin Institute, just outside Edinburgh. ... Genetically engineered babies may also be born with defective genes that cannot be detected until birth or even later in life, if the child survives. Genetically engineered genes may form new super genes' with side effects that are incurable and irreversible. Another factor that may need to be considered is that with the introduction of a genetically engineered species of h...

3. Human Cloning: Medical, Moral, and Societal Controversy

Until recently, there has been widespread Congressional support for a ban on cloning to produce babies. ... Nature does not allow human beings to design our babies, and I think that is for the better. ... The baby that is born, therefore, cannot have anything the parents did not give to it. But with a genetically engineered baby, people can create their visions of the "perfect person". ... In late 1999, for example, a Ted Koppel/ABC Nightline special on cloning speculated that genetic engineers will eventually design children with "night vision from an owl" and "supersensitive hearing clon...

4. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

Some people would say this is wrong as everyone was made in the likeness of God and destroying a baby, destroys a part of him. This is also the case where "designer babies" are concerned. ... One concern which may be reduced is the deficiency of vitamin A experienced in developing worlds as rice could be genetically engineered to contain vitamin A. ... If however pests became resistant to genetically engineered crops, we would face the problem of having to use more and stronger pesticides. ... Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; the problem here is that when genetically engineered orga...

5. Genetic Engineering

They had been genetically engineered (Thompson 9). ... In May of 1994, the Food and Drug Administration approved a genetically engineered tomato called "Flavr Savr". ... "Each year 10,000 to 20,000 new foods are genetically created, but the Food and Drug Administration expects only 100 to 150 genetically engineered foods to be introduced over the next five years" (Henkel 7). ... A perfect little baby. ... Not only would this help men regain self-confidence, but also help couples have babies. ...

6. Genetic Engineering

Callahan his for genetic engineering which again I disagree because it isn't the way a baby is supposed to be, you shouldn't try to create a baby you want it to become, but let God create the baby and just leave it along. ... What would happen to the baby in the future if they did succeed in genetic engineering. ... Where the baby would be held if they do try an experiment on genetic engineering. Who's care would the genetically engineered baby would go to. ... If we don't go into genetic engineering, we will never know if we are able to alter a baby's genes to satisf...

7. Genetic Engineering: Can We Play God

The article says that bio-engineers will be creating tens of thousands of novel organisms over the next few years. ... "In the dairy section, we find milk and cheese containing genetically engineered recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone" (Pennybacker). ... We now produce cures that are specifically tailored to diseases, which have lengthened the average life span by almost ten years, detect and eliminate birth defects in babies, and have people that are healthier now than at any time in history. ... Uses of these genetically engineered products are just now being done and allowed into our s...

8. The Safety of Genetically Modified Foods

The source of all genetically modified food is genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms are plants, animals, or bacteria that have been genetically altered through the process of genetic modification. Transgenic food, genetically engineered food, and genetically modified food all refer to foods derived from genetically modified organisms. ... All genetically engineered foods created so far are derived from genetically engineered plants. ... " Essentially, genetically modified food is the test tube baby of the plant world. ...

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