The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Engineering

Ethics of Genetic Engineering If you could know that you had a high risk for developing cancer, would you? In the last four and a half decades, the science of genetic engineering has opened new possibilities and new questions. While the field originated as a study of bacteria, it has advanced an incredible amount since 1973 and developed a multitude of branches. Genetic engineering is essentially the concept of cloning or manipulating an organism’s genetic sequence for a specific purpose. This isn’t an issue with small life forms such as bacteria, but with newer studies of human genes and the Human Genome Project, many ethical questions arise. Scientists want to protect their original work, but patents (the main method of said protection) restrict the research ability of others. The progression of research in the biotech industry is both dependent on and hindered by patents. Also, with human genes, is patenting even ethical? With regards to decoding individual genetic codes, the risk for genetic profiling emerges, along with a myriad of other hidden problems. Patients need to weigh the potential for discrimination and
All of the various branches raise different ethical questions, although some contain more controversy than others. Patients really need to understand everything that could come out of genetic tests, both the good and the bad; companies, while trying to protect their own interests, have to be careful with regards to genetic discrimination. Companies and individuals absolutely need patent protection in order to continue expanding the field of molecular biology, and to continue innovation for the creation of new drugs. Although certain fields within genetic engineering are a hotbed of ethical controversy, they do have redeeming values; the biotech industry as a whole is a huge piece of healthcare today and certainly is making leaps and bounds in medicine through the use of genetic