Future Worlds
English Oral Presentation
Topic: Genetic Engineering in Humans-Designer Babies
What is Genetic Engineering?
Genetic Engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome using biotechnology. With the development of this technology, future generations are then able to select and reject specific traits and genes for their children.
Contention: I believe that Genetic engineering should not be a technology pursued by society and future generations as it raises many negative consequences that defy the basic foundation of the human race.
Arguments
1. Loss of individuality
Firstly, I believe that genetic engineering will lead to the loss of individuality. As human beings, our genetic uniqueness is an important source of our sense of who we are and how we regard ourselves. By directly modifying an organism’s genes in order to create the “perfect species”, we end up creating a “superhuman” race where everyone shares the same personality and characteristics. As a result, we would all be the same. How would you react if you walked into school tomorrow and saw 1200 other girls who all look exactly like you? If this alone isn’t enough, imagine if every single living human species on earth looked like you, walked like you, talked like you. Scott Westerfield’s “Uglies” series, is set in a future post-scarcity dystopian world in which everyone is turned “Pretty” by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching 16. The point of this surgery itself is to promote and inspire peace among its recipients, with the idea that beauty ultimately trumps all forms of inequality and bigotry – where aspects like race and orientation don't matter when everyone is beautiful. But is that true? Do we want to live a life as masterpieces of technologies? People thrive on our diversity. With that sort of sameness, how could we function as a society? How can one generic type of person fill all of the roles that society needs? I seriously doubt that such a
Topic: Genetic Engineering in Humans-Designer Babies
What is Genetic Engineering?
Genetic Engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome using biotechnology. With the development of this technology, future generations are then able to select and reject specific traits and genes for their children.
Contention: I believe that Genetic engineering should not be a technology pursued by society and future generations as it raises many negative consequences that defy the basic foundation of the human race.
Arguments
1. Loss of individuality
Firstly, I believe that genetic engineering will lead to the loss of individuality. As human beings, our genetic uniqueness is an important source of our sense of who we are and how we regard ourselves. By directly modifying an organism’s genes in order to create the “perfect species”, we end up creating a “superhuman” race where everyone shares the same personality and characteristics. As a result, we would all be the same. How would you react if you walked into school tomorrow and saw 1200 other girls who all look exactly like you? If this alone isn’t enough, imagine if every single living human species on earth looked like you, walked like you, talked like you. Scott Westerfield’s “Uglies” series, is set in a future post-scarcity dystopian world in which everyone is turned “Pretty” by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching 16. The point of this surgery itself is to promote and inspire peace among its recipients, with the idea that beauty ultimately trumps all forms of inequality and bigotry – where aspects like race and orientation don't matter when everyone is beautiful. But is that true? Do we want to live a life as masterpieces of technologies? People thrive on our diversity. With that sort of sameness, how could we function as a society? How can one generic type of person fill all of the roles that society needs? I seriously doubt that such a