IB 2: Finding Statis in My Critical Situation

When it comes to genetic engineering, the issues of development, distribution, and equality can cause conflicting arguments. Looking more specifically at the development of genetic engineering, one can easily notice the opportunity to use methods that some many deem unethical. Within this topic, it is easy to understand that the end goal is to genetically modify the human genome. How does one go about that? You need living organisms to test theories and hypotheses; does one use bacteria? Plants? Animals? Humans? I would say all organisms should be studied, however many would disagree. Stasis can be reached when discussing the benefits that genetic engineering could to lead to. No one can deny that this is a feasible way to combat diseases and chronic illnesses.

Conjecture:

Does genetic engineering exist? Yes, but not quite the level of genetic engineering that I am referring to. So far we’ve dealt with plants, bacteria, and barely touched the surface with animals. I am talking specifically about human beings, and once that level is reached; ethical problems will occur.

Definition:

Like stated before, I defined genetic engineering as the modification of the human genome. Don’t get me wrong, genetically engineering all other life is important (it is all T’s, A’s, G’s, and C’s), however ethical problems arrive in abundance when humans are involved.

Value:

Since the topic is, “Ethics of Genetic Engineering,” most issues will deal with being just or unjust. There is a lot of good that can occur because of advancement in genetic engineering, however, the “worth” of getting there and the, “bad” that can come out of it is where most of the issues can occur.

Policy:

Policy, much like politics, can boil down to what you specifically believe in and then going on from there. If you take a stance where you think the advancement and distribution of genetic engineering should be regulated, then you are going to come with regulations as your policy. To answer the question, “What should we do?” I shall answer, depends on your viewpoint.

I thought about a way to boil down the positions and I ended up with a list of variations using the words: yes, no, and kind of, in response to the topics of advancement and implementation. However, these variations seem redundant to list out so I will refrain from doing so (in other words, I’m lazy). Value will be the most important category when thinking about Genetic Engineering because of the topic of ethics. As for my own position, I would put myself into the, “Advancement of Genetic Engineering without bound but regulated or limited distribution,” category.

(Note: I'll get pictures up soon becaus everybody likes pictures!)