3 discussion forum and reply each discussion to three classmates
Yiii
disscussion3.docLuisa Benton INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
Personal Identity and Genetic Modification
COLLAPSE
In Chapter 5, you read about the problem of personal identity, the difficulties in answering the question ‘who am I?’ Recent developments in genetic technology are making issues of personal identity radically different than they have ever been. In the very near future, we may be able to create designer people; personal identity, though we do not even agree on what that is, may be malleable in ways previously only possible in fiction. Watch the Ted Talk “The Ethical Dilemma of Designer Babies” and then answer the following:
What are the two points made by Paul Knoepfler that resonated with you most? (this might mean scared you the most, intrigued you the most, and the like). Do you agree with Knoepfler that, at least for now, we should ban the genetic modification of humans? Why or why not? And, if you could genetically modify yourself, alter your personal identity in some way, would you do it?! Explain.
Works Linked/Cited:
“The Ethical Dilemma of Designer Babies.” YouTube, uploaded by Ted, 10 Feb. 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOHbn8Q1fBM.
Reply to the discussion of these three students：
1.Malaika Bittock
RE: Personal Identity and Genetic Modification
COLLAPSE
There was a few things that Paul brought to my attention, the positives and the negative benefits of genetic modification. On one hand you have the perfect super kid but then the downside is you have a super kid with unnatural side effects. He mentioned examples of a kid having a negative attributes due to the modification and that can be a problem if not controlled and taken care of. A huge part of growing up and shaping yourself as a person is the natural human experiences we go through and learn from. Some kids are just born to be prodigies and some are meant to fulfill a part in society. If the new generation of kids were all perfect we would lack individuality, the bar will be raised higher and it would be harder to relate to one other. Another thing that I realized is that it doesn’t seem fair to start a child off perfect meanwhile everyone around who probably can’t even afford it start to reject their kid or be to hard on them. Naturally, as a child growing up, I was compared to my cousins and friends and always felt less then, now imagine a new generation modified to be perfect and how the regular kids would feel, it would suck. In my experience it was tough love but with the designer babies it’s gonna be an unfair advantage.
2.
Bonnie Enochs
RE: Personal Identity and Genetic Modification
窗体顶端
I found a lot of points in this video that intrigued me/scared me about genetically modified humans. The first one was that genetically modified human are immune to health conditions, which could be really good. On the other hand getting rid of certain DNA strands and writing in certain DNA they want the human to have could get rid of their uniqueness. Yes the genetically modified humans could be smarter, taller, has less problems (or maybe none at all) but then that gets rid of the way all humans are different. Not only that but like Paul said we might be thinking we are making them healthier but instead on mistake can make then sicker. Paul also brought up that they could have “increased aggressiveness, and narcissism” which is not good at all. So with all this I can see a lot of pros and cons. Paul also mentions that it could open a door for people to go too far and only do this for money which you should not mess with human beings for money.
Another point he said is what if I could change my baldness or people could change their face, or looks. To be honest you can, there is tons of operations now that you can do to change all that so why do we need CRISPR to change it more deeply. Our DNA make us unique why would we change such a precious part of us. I feel that life is about challenges, happiness, and working (improving and learning.) Why would we change our DNA to make everything so easy that’s not what I think life is about? Not only this but what about the humans that aren’t genetically modified will we be put to the bottom because we aren’t “perfect” then that takes are life away from us.
I agree with Paul that we should hold on genetically modified humans because I think they should think of a better plan then to just make people “perfect.” I would not genetically modify myself I am who I want to be, which is learning and improving on myself and living life the way I should be. This is my opinion on it. But I really enjoyed watching this video and learning about CRISPR because I had no idea this talk was going on.
窗体底端
3.
Michael Martinez
RE: Personal Identity and Genetic Modification
窗体顶端
To be Frank i have mixed opinions about Genetic Modification and a different opinion on Designer Babies. Paul Made very good points on why we should halt or ban genetic modification. But i honestly tthink Paul is being a little hopeful that just banning something is ggoing to stop the growth of it. But the points i found most valid about why we should at least keep it from public avability is that there are to many known and unknown negative outcomes. That people would use Designer Babies for iideology or to seek a prophet or governments will use it to push a ddifferent type of society and how if designer babies come into the norm of society will natural born humans become the lower class of society. I can in my own opinion talk deeper about "what is better, when it comes to being human?", how Paul nicely put it, and if our flaws and emotion are a part of what being human is, but further more i do not think it should be ban in the sense of banning scientific research and more sstudying on the pros and cons of bringing genetic modification into the hands of society. Because Paul also said that genetic modifcation can lead to making GM humans immune to diseases and virues but that also possibly have negative outcomes. But still i don think it should be ban. Scientifc evoloution, no matter how "weird" it might make people feel, will not be stopped. Someone will do it whether its legal or not. So we should put it in the best hands for this type of research and try to cover all the holes.
Me, personally would not genetically modify my self. I humble my flaws, and i feel me being an emotional person makes me who i am as a person, some what.
窗体底端
