As shown in the video you watched, recent experiments claim that two babies have been born that were genetically engineered to resist HIV infection. Should this or any similar genetic modifications (which can be passed from generation to generation unlike standard gene therapy such as the one used to treat the woman with the vision problems ) be allowed for humans?
Yes I do believe that genetic modification should be allowed. If it can benefit individuals in any way it should definitely be aloud. If a disease can be passed down generation to generation it should absolutely be stopped at the consent of the parents. I don’t see how it would be a good idea to not stop issues such as this. Modifications on humans should be done even if it’s risky if it can benefit those born with potential disorders.
I think this could be a slippery slope for humans and is something that needs to be carefully regulated before it gets out of hand. I agree that the use of modifying genes to prevent certain life threatening diseases from being passed down is amazing and allows some people to have children that may not have considered it out of fear of passing a disease to their offspring. However, what concerns me is if this process begins being used as a form of eugenics to modify certain characteristics, like skin color, to create a population of “ideal people.” Obviously this process is not super widespread or inexpensive (yet), but if it does become a form of regular care in the future, I think this is something that should be considered.
We actually watched this same video in my biotechnology class at MSU! I remember disccusing how it is a slipperly slope like Miranda said, and then the ethics behind it because only certain people will be able to afford certain procedures. I do think it is kind of cool and with time could help a lot of peoples lives for the better. And to add, also like Miranda said, if people use this to modify skin color or for other forms of eugenics, we could be in for a dangerous situation. Regardless, I do think it is cool, but I think regualtions would have to be in place.
I am also torn. In an ideal world where this was available to every family then I think it should definitily be allowed. However, I am not sure that everyone would be able to afford or have access to genetic modification. Also, I think it is important for society to be diverse and that happens when there are a lot of different types of people with different illnesses. On the other hand, this would make a lot of peoples lives better and would prevent so much disease. I also agree that genetic modification can eventually be taken too far if people start to change certain characteristic of how one looks.
I believe that genetic modification should be allowed if it can prevent a child from a lifetime of illness or disability. I agree with the Doctor in the video, I am sorry I couldn’t find his name. He made a good point when he said that the parents do not want designer babies, they just want to prevent their children from getting a terrible disease that could threaten their lives. I also looked through some of the comments that were negative saying that within the next decade there will be designer babies which I also think it terrible but it was not the intent of the video. I think it is very important to modify genes if they cause someone harm. I had a classmate in high school that grew up with Cystic fibrosis and it put her in the hospital for months at a time which caused so much pain and suffering for her which is not fair.
The work that is being done to prevent these genetic diseases and disorders is wonderful but I do think that it should only be used for medical purposes.
I think that genetic modification should be allowed in humans. As described in the video, these two twin girls now get to live a life without HIV, because of this genetic modification. Not only did it help the babies, but also helped the parents to feel comfortable in starting a family, which they otherwise would not have been able to do. I think it is especially good because of the ability for it to stop from passing down to future generations as well. While the procedure most likely is an expensive one, to stop it from appearing in a certain family line is incredible. I do think that it should be used for these reasons, but I know things could begin to get out of hand if people began demanding to have the ability to change eye color, hair color, and other cosmetic features of their babies. This to me is extremely unessential, and should not be something that is promoted in the field of genetic modification.
That is a heavy question. As it has shown successful for Lulu and Nana, the procedure was effective towards HIV. Every scenario and genetic disposition is different from one case to another. Although I do support advancement and improvement within medicine, I think it should be taken cautiously. In various other cases and video’s we have witnessed in this class, genetic therapy can be a lot more complicated than a simple injection of instructions. It has my support, but I think procedures and lots of testing should be in place before going all-in for society. Some genetic mutations are good or linked. We lack a better understanding of the cause and effect. More often than not, things aren’t as they seem. We won’t know the full effect of the procedure for Lulu and Nana until they reach an older age (30-70).
I think genetic engineering can be a great tool to help solve debilitating genetic problems if used ethically. As I see my classmates discussing, there is an important distinction between modifying genes for the benefit of a child’s wellbeing by preventing disease versus creating the precise phenotype one wants their kid to be such as eye color or even intelligence.
This sort of knowledge about gene modification comes with great responsibility and moral integrity to use it for the right reasons in science to help possible cases of families overcome genetic diseases that get passed on. As with all things in genetics, this sort of modification will be expensive to do which will make it very difficult to access for most people who could benefit from it until it becomes more available/affordable. We have the science and capabilities to do this type of gene improvement in humans and I think it’s important we use it in the right ethical circumstances. There should probably be possible laws and regulations put in place around genetic engineering to keep it humane and safe as it continues to be used more often.
I believe that genetic engineering like this, has a very large and promising future in the medical sciences. It has already shown it’s capability to help people like in the video we have watched, and while some people may question how immediately safe it is, it’s important to see the potential that treatments this powerful could live up to. It will be a slow rise but I can see a future in which modern problems can be solved by science that we’re using right now, like genetic engineering in humans.
I do not see any bioethical problem if genetic modification will be applied on human genetics. It is simply treating the disease from the root, instead of dealing with it by using medication. Yes, this method will change the human genetics for generation or permanently, but that change is toward a healthier direction. It is similar to vaccination method; maybe, when scientists developed the first vaccine, it was controversial topic, but when people started seeing different results the principle or norm of their ethics got shifted if not modified or changed
This is a tricky subject in my opinion. One part of me wants to say yes, do whatever necessary so we can ensure everyone is able to live a healthy life. Then there is another side that thinks this is wrong. If we were to create the medicine to be able to save everyone, we would run into other problems like overpopulation. I’m not saying this is a fair ideology because who am I to decide the people who get to survive and those who don’t because they inherited a fatal disease. But I believe these diseases are a part of our nature and not something to be reckoned with.
I believe that eventually something like this should be practiced but it should be heavily regulated and studied for long term effects before this happens. This should only be used in life threatening or altering circumstances. It shouldn’t be used to enhance humans but only to protect us from hereditary illness. Another worry that I have is that it may start as something only for preventing illness or genetic defects but will grow into something used to redesign a baby’s appearance because there will be a vast market for it. Something similar happened with cosmetic surgery, at first it was only used for disfigured people but now it has mostly been used for people to enhance their bodies or facial features instead of correcting them.
Yes, I definitely think these should be allowed for humans. I think it should be an option for parents, but not required by any means.
If a parent has the option to prevent their children from getting things like Cystic Fibrosis, Cancer, HIV, or other horrible, life-threatening diseases/infections, why not?
If enough tests are done to make sure it’s safe and doesn’t affect any other genes in the human body, I think it’s smart.
I can see how people would not like this, though. It does seem dangerous and kind of like you’re messing around with the natural life processes.
This should definitely be regulated closely and extensive research/tests would need to be done to convince me that it’s safe to do to my child before they’re born.
I believe IVF techniques like genetic engineering should be allowed to be used to prevent generational diseases. This not only ensures healthy families, but a healthy society as a whole. This also gives innocent infants who are genetically engineered to endure different types of diseases an actual chance and a normal and healthy lifestyle that is lived amongst almost every other human in todays society.
It’s a good thing to be able to prevent someone from inheriting an illness so with extra attention to detail it should be allowed. The problem of people creating designer babies is what should be prevented.
I am not sure about the whole situation when it comes to designer babies. I’m torn between yes, allowing such surgery’s to happen and no, not allowing such procedures to continue on. Messing with thousands of years of evolution can be very dangerous and takes us down a path that we can’t find are way back from. Just like a video (Human Nature) I watched on Netflix earlier in the semester where scientists are trying to help this kid, who had sickle cell anemia, by hopefully using crisper. One scientist had mention though that by trying to rid the world of sickle cell it could have irreversible effects in places like Africa where it is very widely spread. He went to explain that malaria is also a problem in Africa. The organism that causes malaria does not like those red blood cells that are affected by sickle cell. So in the end being in an environment where malaria is bad it is better to be sickle cell trait than not to be! So where do we draw the line? We have to be humble when comes to dealing with these types of situation because we have to remember nature invented crisper, we as humans just happen to stumble across it.
This is a question that is hard to answer because there are so many variables that have to be considered. Perhaps, if the genetic modification was heavily regulated it would be a good idea. Personally I have four chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, arthritis, PCOS, endometriosis) and a few other health issues, so the thought of never having been born with them and instead a healthy able body and mind is a very interesting thought. However, history has shown that humans can become too ambitious and corrupt, so unless there was strict regulations to keep the technology from being abused it may not be a good idea in the long run.
I do think this should be allowed for humans as it could solve many of the world’s issues in healthcare if these diseases and conditions are eliminated, but I do think that it needs to be heavily regulated. Humans tend to take advantage of things when they are presented with the choice and that is my concern. I am concerned with people taking this a running with it, leaving people to want to change their genes to they can’t be obese or so they can have more muscle mass, etc. It should not be used to enhance humans. I do agree that it should be used to prevent the passing down of disease or the chance of disease if the disease is life threatening or altering. HIV, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, to me, all fall under that category. This then turns into another topic of the cost of these treatments and who will be able to afford it. If wealthier people are able to alter their genes and those living in a more impoverished area aren’t, is that ethical?
Yes, I think this should be allowed for humans because this is and will change the medical industry drastically and I believe it will be for the good. However, this needs to be monitored at all times because it can get out of hand like the video said changing the eye colors or hair of the babies. For those reasons I disagree because those are not important doesn’t matter what’s your eye color and if we mess it up we won’t know what the side effects will happen to the baby seeing as this is still very new. For actual medical disease in my opinion should be used because if it works you will be saving many lives.
I am of the belief that as long as my decisions do not harm another, then I should be able to make whatever decisions I feel are right for myself. In this case, the genetic therapy would relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for future offspring. I understand that in the future there may be circumstances that some may think are an inappropriate use of the therapy but as it stands today, individuals should be able to make the decisions they feel are right for themselves along with the approval of the qualified individuals providing the therapy.
I believe genetic engineering should be used, under regulation, to prevent further harm towards fetuses. The HIV genetic engineering helped the fetuses have a better outcome for their lives. Genetic engineering is a tricky topic to be dealt with. There’s a fine line between what is healthy, and possibly necessary, for the fetus and what is just cosmetic and optional. I believe if the medical field is to continue down this path, there needs to be heavy regulation and observation to keep it ethically sound and morally right.
I actually wrote a paper about this concept this semester for my ENGL 122 class. I believe that this practice should not be used at all until there is more research available about the safety and efficacy of these treatments on future generations. My main concern with it is that at this point we don’t really know how changing the genome of a person will effect their offspring or even their offspring’s offspring. Sure, in the case of the twins they appear to be healthy on their own but we don’t know how altering their DNA will affect the future.
In the future when the research is deemed 100% safe and effective people should absolutely have access to genetic treatments that can save lives.
I believe that genetic engineering should be used under set conditions that are closely monitored. I think with specified conditions, genetic engineering could greatly benefit the health of future children. Cases that can directly prevent known familial gene disorders that are passed down could help increase time of living and chance of survival. I believe that with further experimentation, genetic engineering could be an innovative change on the path to healthier humans.
As the researcher said, this topic is controversial and I agree. I also agree with the statement he said, about how genetic modifications should not be used to develop a “designer baby” is a high IQ, or specific set of hair or eye color, etc., and how this should be banned. I believe more research should be done on preventing life-threatening genetic diseases to ensure a healthy life for the baby and a chance to develop a family, for its parents. Once more research is done is proved to be safe and effective, then I believe it should be allowed to help those with genetic, uncurbable diseases.
Yes, absolutely! That being said, this type of engineering shouldn’t be done at the drop of the hat. It should be a last resort and can ultimately be a tool for helping families do exactly like what the story was about.. preventing HIV. This was amazing way for a man who can’t have unprotected sex, have a baby with his wife. This type of procedure isn’t just a “one shot and you’re done” thing. It’s extensive and like the doctor said, heavily monitored. Preventing diseases that ruin lives is what this was made for.
On the surface this seems to be a very oversimplified question to such a controversial and complex subject that does not take into consideration many different factors and therefore one can not give a definite answer. None the less; in the video, the doctors and research team were trying to prevent unborn children from contracting HIV by using gene therapy during invitro fertilization. One can argue that the gene therapy in this instance was justified because it involved two innocent lives. The parents were responsible enough to not have children by natural means. However, the research team and the parents knew ahead of time that there were chances the gene therapy would not work and opted to continue. The video does not talk about what were the plans if at some point during the pregnancy or after the babies were born it was known that the gene therapy did not work. During standard gene therapy, a person agrees and is aware of the risks involved. The parents could have instead opted to use their resources to adopt children if they wanted a family. The video does not talk about the success rate of the research team. It seemed more of a promotional video that you would expect from a pharmaceutical company trying to promote a product. Was the knowledge obtained from the therapy shared with other labs in order to further knowledge?
I believe that these genetic mutations should be allowed. I think this could be a very important topic looking into the future. One day if we find a mutated gene that improves a person to be able to fight against all strains of the Corona virus then we should use gene therapy on people needing protection against the virus. I also believe there is much more research to be done to prove the reliability of this therapy. I am looking forward to seeing where this research takes our society.