Running head: ETHICAL ESSAY 1
Is Genetic Engineering Ethical or Unethical? An Ethical Essay.
Tiffany M. Elliott
Liberty University
ETHICAL ESSAY 2
Is Genetic Engineering Ethical or Unethical? An Ethical Essay.
Imagine a world where the field of science is able to eliminate disease or allow a man or
woman to be able to choose the genetic traits of their child, with the growing field of genetic
engineering this scenario is becoming a reality. However, even with the new advancements of
technology one question remains: How far should scientists go when it comes to modifying
human DNA? This is a question that has been plaguing the scientific community in recent years,
causing significant concern, making many people question what is and what is not ethical within
genetic engineering. Although genetic engineering offers the potential to eliminate disease,
essentially the accidental risks involved and the concept of designing the so called “designer
baby” results in the practices of genetic engineering to be unethical.
Through a process known as germline editing the idea of genetic engineering is more
than just a novelty of science fiction, it is a reality. In using a technique such as germline editing,
there are some unintentional risks that are involved (Nature Medicine, 2015). As Darren
Monckton states (2019), “unintended germline modification could result from well-intentioned
somatic-genome-editing procedures.” (para. 1). Here Monckton is addressing the issues of
modifying genes and resulting in unintentional modifications. Also as Nature Medicine (2015)
discusses there are legitimate safety concerns regarding the process of germline editing,
concerns that include, “ ...unintended mutations to the target DNA or at off-target sites...”;
meaning that if only one allele is the target it will not effectively treat the targeted disease and
could result in further mutation of the cells (para. 6). The risk of genetic mutation is not the only
concern, with technological advancements used such as CRISPR, it has been found that in
editing the gene line is only forty percent effective when deleting genes, and only twenty percent
effective in swapping DNA (Regalado, 2015). In more simple term, there is no guarantee that the
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genes being edited will warrant the desired results, and has a very low chance of eliminating the
targeted disease or defect. With the increased risk of genetic mutation in healthy genes and the
fact that the science involved in germline editing is not exact, it is easy to see the risks involved
with genetic engineering. However, the accidental risks involving genetic engineering is not the
only concern, in the scientific world today the concept of creating so called “designer babies” is
also a concern.
As science continues to make such remarkable advances in technology, the fear of
creating “designer babies” is becoming not only an ethical concern among people but a moral
concern as well. Steve Connor (2017) writes “genome editing to enhance traits or abilities
beyond ordinary health raises concerns about whether the benefits can outweigh the risks, and
about fairness if available to some people” (Para. 12). Khazan (2014), addresses that many
people believe that modifying mitochondrial DNA is questionable, attempting to defy the laws of
nature and play the role of God. She also discusses the valid point that those of a lower class
would be at a disadvantage in being able to financially afford the germline-editing that is also
suggested with genetic engineering (Khazan,2014). The disadvantage caused to the lower class
presents some ethical questions regarding genetic engineering, this is because the procedures
involved would come at a costly rate and would not provide all citizens the equal opportunity to
have the same healthcare for themselves or children. Germline-editing to the point of modifying
intellect, and physical forms is unethical within the science community, and in a sense is playing
the role of God. Although it is apparent that scientists should limit their involvement in
modifying human genes, there are numerous views that argue the opposite.
In the scientific world today, there are multiple views that are upheld regarding genetic
engineering and science’s involvement in modifying human genes, these views consist in the
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potential of eliminating diseases and the fact that it assists in reproduction. As Regalado (2015)
writes during an interview with Yeng and many other scientists, one of the key benefits to
CRISPR and techniques like it give the potential to improve the human gene pool eliminating
potentially dangerous diseases. However, as Regalado goes on to define, “CRISPR is not perfect-
and it would be a very haphazard way to edit human embryos...” (para. 28); providing the
legitimate cause for science to refrain from using such techniques to modify human genes. Also,
it has been argued that genetic engineering may assist in human reproduction for those who are
unable to conceive or may have issues conceiving, this technique consists of modifying
mitochondrial DNA by using three donor parents (Khazan, 2014). Although scientists argue the
benefits of this practice, it is easy to argue that this process of mitochondrial modification is the
first step in the so-called “designer babies”; as one person quoted to the FDA regarding the
practice of modifying mitochondrial DNA it is, “walking in Hitler’s footsteps” (Khazan, 2014,
para. 4). Although scientists have great potential in improving humanity by eliminating diseases
and helping the process of reproduction, these techniques pertaining to genetic engineering are
still unethical.
It is unmistakable that the idea of genetic engineering has potential to improve humanity,
but at what cost? Genetic engineering, especially in the form of germline-editing is in the
simplest terms is unethical. This is because of the inconsistencies in the techniques used to
provide the elimination of disease as well as the potential of creating the infamous idea of
“designer babies”. Until techniques are further perfected genetic coding should be halted to
prevent the accidental risks that are involved with such a controversial subject. Also, it is clear
that the idea of altering the intellect and physical traits of a person is unethical in many terms, it
violates the moral code of humanity, causing humanity to attempt the role of God, as well as,
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causing those who cannot afford such procedures and techniques to be at a disadvantage. As of
today, the world of science should refrain from altering the human genes until techniques can be
perfected in the effort to eliminate disease and should never attempt to provide genetic
engineering to create a more superior race.
ETHICAL ESSAY 6
References
Connor, S. (2017, July 26). First Human Embryos Edited in U.S. MIT Technology Review.
Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/608350/first-human-embryos-
edited-in-us/
Khazan, O. (2014, July 3). We’re Already Designing Babies. The Atlantic. Retrieved from
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/07/were-already-designing-
babies/373896/
Monckton, D. (2019, April 23). Manage Risk of Accidental Gene Editing of Germline. Nature,
International Journal of Science.
Nature Medicine. (2015, April). Germline editing: Time for Discussion. Nature Publishing
Group.
Regalado, A. (2015, March 5). Engineering the Perfect Baby. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved
from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/535661/engineering-the-perfect-baby/
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