Genetic Engineering Where Do We Draw the Line 3 (1)

8/3/2019 Genetic Engineering Where Do We Draw the Line 3 (1)

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Genetic Engineering 1

Genetic Engineering:

Where do We Draw the Line?

Christina Marie Melendez

Biology, Semester 2

Miss Alonso

May 18, 2011


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What is Genetic Engineering? Why do we need it? What do we need it for? These are all

really good questions they will be answered later. Are you for genetic engineering? Will babies

that are altered be loved more than God trusted babies? Genetic engineering is when genetic

material is directly manipulated so that the hereditary traits of the cell/organism are altered. In

some cases even whole populations are affected. Genetic engineering can alter some genes to

make people less prone to certain diseases. For this reason genetic engineering is helpful.

Genetic engineering is good for a lot of things but where do we draw the line with how far to go

and who to help. Genetic engineering is something that is needed but should be limited to

helping the people who really need it. It shouldnt be used for making so called perfect babies.

One disease that should be allowed to be removed from genes is sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell Anemia is an inherited form of anemia. It is a condition in which there are not enough

healthy red blood cells to carry the right amount of oxygen through the body. (Staff, 2011) There

are steps to help you stay healthier but it doesnt always help prevent the symptoms. Take folic

Acid supplements, drink plenty of water, avoid extreme temperatures, and try to reduce stress. If

you have family that knows you have sickle cell they may help you to cope with the disease by

talking or controlling pain. If your family has a history of the gene then you or someone you

know is more likely to have it. Anyone can get it though. The symptoms of it are anemia,

episodes of pain, hand and foot syndrome, frequent infections, delayed growth, and vision

problems. You should see a doctor if you have unexplained episodes of severe pain, swelling in

the hands or feet, abdominal swelling, fever, pale skin or nail beds, jaundice, or any symptoms of

a stroke.

In the U.S. there is a screening of the blood that is done at birth. Older children and adults

can be tested too. If the test is negative there is no sickle cell gene if it is positive there is the


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gene. To confirm a diagnosis however the blood sample is viewed under a microscope. The cost

of Sickle cell Anemia isnt just money. Part of the cost is using your time and energy to get help

for you or a loved one. The average cost of hospitalization is $6,300 (H. Davis, 1997 ). When

you go for help you need to write down the symptoms youve noticed, bring a friend or family

member along to your appointment, and make questions to ask your doctor. Time will be spent

going to the doctors, taking care to avoid situations that will spark stress. The only prevention

could be going to see your local geneticist to understand the risks of conceiving the child if you

carry the gene (Staff, 2011).

If our society were to allow genetic engineering it could turn into a society that

discriminates against people who have poor genetics. Allowing genetic engineering could also

make our society where it is too structured and organized. I know people, me included, that like

having a bit of chaos in their life. Genetic engineering hasnt even been proved to be a full proof

way out of diseases, or for changing things about a person. There is no gene for fate, (Niccoli,

1997). This is because with genetics there are millions on top of millions of possibilities when it

comes to making babies. In the GATTACA movie that our class watched what happened was

one child was trusted to God. The other was genetically modified. The modified child was

loved more than the God trusted child. His probability of failing at life was very high. He

wasnt disowned or anything, but if our society turns into that, parents might end up deserting

their children. Parents might also make their kids leave when they reach a certain age just so that

they wont have to deal with their kids that are not worth having their name.

As a result more children who are allowed to let fate rule their lives may end up going

into a life of depression. This will only happen if they end up being a human with poor genes. If

they have poor genes and they are discriminated against some jobs might not be available to


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them. In the GATTACA world invalids, who were people with bad genes, were only allowed to

work jobs such as janitorial work, and cleaning up after other people. Imagine how much harder

it would be for a person who has a 60% chance of heart failure to get a job over a person with a

20% chance even if the person with 60% is more qualified. They would be discriminating

because of the likelihood of the person dying.

With the chance of this happening, precautions need to be taken to prevent it. There can

be an application process. The people who deserve to be genetically modified if they have a fatal

genetic disease such as Sickle cell anemia, certain cancers, or Tay-Sachs Diseases will be

allowed to get modified. Modification will only be allowed for people who need it. If Paris

Hilton wants a perfect baby that looks just like her, do we say no, (Alonso, 2011).

For these reasons genetic engineering should be allowed for people with worst case

scenario diseases. There are lists upon lists of diseases that could be named. A few of them are

Barth syndrome, Batten Disease, Cerebral Palsy, and Neurofibromatosis (India, 2011). These

cases need to help because they are a matter of life or death for a person. When two people are

planning to start a family they could go to a geneticist to see if they carry the gene for certain

diseases. Then it could be taken out of the potential child. Genetic engineering is something that

is needed but should be limited to helping the people who really need it. It shouldnt be used for

making so called perfect babies. It needs to be limited because some people need it, but others

do not. It can be determined through careful consideration of the patients situation, disease, and

potential to do something great.

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/genetic-diseases-2505.html

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Genetic Engineering Where Do We Draw the Line 3 (1)