Philosophy Paper

Phil 3260

Proposal

July 9th, 2018

Genetically engineering humans

As the world revolves, people begin to attempt to change the genetic makeup that they fall under. Humans will go above and beyond in order to change the things about themselves that they believe to be wrong in their eyes, from the color of their hair to how big their butts are Americans have gone to great lengths in order to fit the mold of what they believe to be seen as perfect. As both science and technology advance together, the possibility of being their idea of perfect for most people is possible. The genetic engineering of humans is a new age form of technology still developing, but yet to be fully understood.

Within this essay I will be evaluating the process of the genetic engineering of humans, searching to find why scientist want to genetically engineer humans as well as questioning the ethical standing of this process. When I think about genetically engineering humans I think about when rich people were trying to buy the sperm and egg of the famous athletes Lebron James and Serena Williams, thinking that they could create a super athlete. This view of forming two great athletes together and creating the idea of the perfect athlete is unrealistic and it disregards the human rights that people have, if these people are even to be considered human.

A lot of unforeseen factors come into play when scientist began to attempt to control the genetic makeup of someone, another ethical question that could come into play is if these new "humans" would be called humans at all. These new forms of people being introduced to earth could change the dynamics of human nature and how things change and developed over time. Given that these "humans" are made, who then would be the parent or the owner of them and the question of if they will have rights comes up as well.

Within this essay I want to answer the questions that pose a threat to society. The questions that scientist won't answer that will further guide the development of ethics when creating a new person from scratch and wondering if they will know that they are not human. John C. Avis mentioned in his bibliography said "the technical wherewithal to engineer life, purposefully and sentimentally, is either an angel’s blessing or devil’s curse" Avis explains the dangers of genetically engineering humans, how it can affect the lives of individuals that partake and also how this is a choice that people have that should be their individual decision not that of others.

References

Avise, J. C. (2004). The Hope, Hype, and Reality of Genetic Engineering : Remarkable Stories From Agriculture, Industry, Medicine, and the Environment. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

4/4

Approved!