Gmo Sapiens
In the book GMO Sapiens the life changing science of designer s the author Paul Knoepfler takes us into the world of genetics. Mr. Knoepfler discusses the pros and cons related to this technology. The term GMO Sapiens is a mashup of Homo Sapiens and GMO (Genetically modified organism) put together by Mr. Knoepfler. Although there are other methods to genetic modifications the CRISPR-Cas9 approach seems to be the simplest and most affordable, as a result the author focuses on this method (Knoepfler 140). Some of the ethical issues faced by this new technology are as follows. First, let’s look at who benefits from GMO, obviously the individual will choose which enhancement or change they desire. Whether it be bigger hands or a longer neck,
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it will certainly bring enjoyment and pleasure to them. However, the benefit to society itself is much more uncertain, meaning someone having bigger hands or a long neck does not have that great impact on society. However, society itself would be affected if all GMO decided that having white skin, blue eyes and being 6 feet tall is the ideal modification. For example, in India dark skin is associated with the lowest castes while light skin is associated with wealth and “good” marriage (Ahuja, ft.com). Secondly, do scientists know enough about this genetic modification as not to make mistakes.
To perfect this methodology, scientists would have to practice on thousands of embryos (Knoepfler 160). These embryos as a result would be of no use, and begs to ask the question where do these embryos come from (Knoepfler 160). Also, any mistakes made during this process are irreversible which may lead to severe health consequences or even death (Knoepfler 157). Finally, what are the political ramifications of GMOs, can government create their own mandate as to who or what is modified for their own purpose. To reduce health costs GMOs might be required to modify their children, and be subject to selective reproduction (Knoepfler 196). For example, the Nazis developed an extreme form of human social engineering (knoepfler 165). In conclusion GMOs ethical issues are also issues we face today as a society, but by creating GMOs these issues are vastly exaggerated. Individualism would be lost the separation between the wealthy and the poor would become more apparent. The government influence over our lives would be more pronounced, Democracy as we know it would be nonexistence. Professor Savulescu said it best though the freedom to select risks reinforcing discrimination against the short, the ugly, the dark skinned, and the stupid. Savulescu also commented that he adored the rich chaotic diversity of the human gene pool, give me the black brown white and all the shades in
between.
it will certainly bring enjoyment and pleasure to them. However, the benefit to society itself is much more uncertain, meaning someone having bigger hands or a long neck does not have that great impact on society. However, society itself would be affected if all GMO decided that having white skin, blue eyes and being 6 feet tall is the ideal modification. For example, in India dark skin is associated with the lowest castes while light skin is associated with wealth and “good” marriage (Ahuja, ft.com). Secondly, do scientists know enough about this genetic modification as not to make mistakes.
To perfect this methodology, scientists would have to practice on thousands of embryos (Knoepfler 160). These embryos as a result would be of no use, and begs to ask the question where do these embryos come from (Knoepfler 160). Also, any mistakes made during this process are irreversible which may lead to severe health consequences or even death (Knoepfler 157). Finally, what are the political ramifications of GMOs, can government create their own mandate as to who or what is modified for their own purpose. To reduce health costs GMOs might be required to modify their children, and be subject to selective reproduction (Knoepfler 196). For example, the Nazis developed an extreme form of human social engineering (knoepfler 165). In conclusion GMOs ethical issues are also issues we face today as a society, but by creating GMOs these issues are vastly exaggerated. Individualism would be lost the separation between the wealthy and the poor would become more apparent. The government influence over our lives would be more pronounced, Democracy as we know it would be nonexistence. Professor Savulescu said it best though the freedom to select risks reinforcing discrimination against the short, the ugly, the dark skinned, and the stupid. Savulescu also commented that he adored the rich chaotic diversity of the human gene pool, give me the black brown white and all the shades in
between.