Journal 1 - Ethics in Genetic Engineering and Modification

Stakeholder Map

Stakeholders:

Hard Science Scientists:

In short, these are the men and women leading the charge and bringing the change to the world. They are furthering Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science as subjects. They have everything to gain and nothing to lose (even if that gain is a personal responsibility).

Companies:

Companies are the main force that will bring the findings of the Scientists to everyone else. Essentially, they will either gain money or lose money. When the companies can offer services or products to the public and then science turns into something real.

Doctors:

Doctors expose the new findings of science very often in everyday life. If a person ever goes for a check up or goes to specialist usually they will find lots of interesting and state of the art equipment. There is no difference when it comes to genetic engineering. Doctors will be able to offer more options. 

Long Term Patients:

When I say, "Long Term," patients, I am referring to those with a chronic disease or those who need periodic care. Perhaps genetic engineering can offer them a better or more cost effective treatment or even a cure. The Long Term Patient has nothing to lose unless the treatment has side effects and in the end it is still the Patient's decision.

Short Term Patients:

When I say, "Short Term," patient, I am referring to those who need immediate medical attention. In contrast to the situation presented with the Long Term patient, sometimes there is no alternative and the patient does not have a choice and therefore must deal with the effects of treatment.

Military:

The military can achieve numerous invaluable benefits from genetic engineering, both ethical and non-ethical. Engineering super-soliders is a concept that stays alive thanks to Science Fiction. However, with the research that many scientists are aiming towards, that "Fiction" could become a reality. As long as it is ethical, or covered up well, the Military can effectively reap genetic engineering's benefits.

Criminals:

From a criminal's standpoint, they can benefit just as much as the military and even more because they are not particularly bounded to a set code of ethics. As a result, the development and implication can far surpass those who are constrained by societal pressures. If they have the money, they have everything to gain from Genetic Engineering's benefits.

Politicians:

Whether they support its development or results for a push of an agenda or uncover a scandal regarding a fellow politician, politicians can gain more than just an average person normally could.

Parents:

When I say, "Parents," I am referring to those who either have children or who are about to have children. Hereditary diseases can be avoided with genetic engineering. The embryonic stage is the easiest time to implement any genetic changes and practically this will the be when most genetic modifications will occur. This is a delicate matter because the price of success is a better life and the price of failure is death. 

Religious Affliated:

Some religious faiths believe that the human body is sacred and no modifications or engineering should occur to the human genome. As a result, a person's belief could be negated and personal mission could be destroyed.

Soft Science Scientist:

When I refer to the, "Soft Sciences," I am referring to any study that either doesn't use the scientific method, does not have repeatable results, or has to do with or contains human nature. While these scientists can offer a different perspective when it comes to researching, I am more concerned with an expansion of information regarding human behavior and genetic engineering. Opinions can be "pro," or "con," depending on what comes out of their research.

Rich and Poor:

With the advancement of genetic engineering physical and intellectual advantages will present themselves for those who have the money to buy them. Then, it is possible the poor could have a major disadvantage compared to person who can afford implants, pills, or surgeries that give them an advantage.

The Common Person:

When the advancement of genetic engineering and modification can finally reach a point of personal desire rather than a need is when the common man will be affected. Like mentioned with the topic of rich and poor, one could invest in say increased muscle capacity, or an increase production of neuron pathways. While these thoughts are Science Fiction for now, the imagination is the only limit to what the common person could gain from the advancement of genetic engineering.

The Dinner Party:

If all of these groups came together, there would be arguments. If I could pigeonhole these arguments into 3 stances, even though I know that there are numerous variations and stances that can be adopted, I would put them into these three:
Those who do not want the advancement of Genetic Engineering.
Those who do want the advancement of Genetic Engineering with some regulations or limit.
Those who want to research Genetic Engineering without bound.
I am sure there would be a lot of common ground however, especially when talking about overall health and the advancement that could occur there.