Utilitarianism and Genetic Engineering
Utilitarianism and Genetic Engineering
In the past thirty years, humans are witnessing a huge revolution in the genetic engineering industry. Having identified most of the Human Genome, gene sequencing has become programmed and extremely fast, and laboratory techniques in molecular biology allow for in-vitro fertilization and transfer of genetic material. Gene therapy and repair based on stem cells research allows for replacement of a defected allele in the DNA, and even a whole damaged tissue in the patient. In general, it is accurate to say that genetic engineering is a controversial topic about which people tend to have strong opinions. The genetic engineering issues that mainly catch the attention of the moral community involve the pre-birth improvement of human fetuses. The ability to screen for detectable diseases is already available in the laboratories. Fertility clinics are also currently able to satisfy the need of a couple for conceiving a male or female child, following the parents’ request, but this is routine compared to the potential of genetic engineering, whose avant-garde aim is the selection of specific traits such as hair color, height and even intelligence. It is this selection that is the most fascinating upshot of advances in genetic engineering, but also the most difficult genetic issue facing the moral society.
In this essay, the ethical analysis applied to debate human genetic engineering is the Utilitarianism theory. The Utilitarian method seeks to maximize the utility of an act or a rule while minimizing the pain that could possibly be caused. Utilitarian principles are the foundation of many US policies, especially those that deal with economics and trade (1, P4, Williams, 1999). Utility is very tightly linked to efficiency and productivity, and maximum efficiency classically concurs with maximum utility. However, a Utilitarian argument can seem imperfect when dealing with concerns of justice and personal rights, which is the case with
In the past thirty years, humans are witnessing a huge revolution in the genetic engineering industry. Having identified most of the Human Genome, gene sequencing has become programmed and extremely fast, and laboratory techniques in molecular biology allow for in-vitro fertilization and transfer of genetic material. Gene therapy and repair based on stem cells research allows for replacement of a defected allele in the DNA, and even a whole damaged tissue in the patient. In general, it is accurate to say that genetic engineering is a controversial topic about which people tend to have strong opinions. The genetic engineering issues that mainly catch the attention of the moral community involve the pre-birth improvement of human fetuses. The ability to screen for detectable diseases is already available in the laboratories. Fertility clinics are also currently able to satisfy the need of a couple for conceiving a male or female child, following the parents’ request, but this is routine compared to the potential of genetic engineering, whose avant-garde aim is the selection of specific traits such as hair color, height and even intelligence. It is this selection that is the most fascinating upshot of advances in genetic engineering, but also the most difficult genetic issue facing the moral society.
In this essay, the ethical analysis applied to debate human genetic engineering is the Utilitarianism theory. The Utilitarian method seeks to maximize the utility of an act or a rule while minimizing the pain that could possibly be caused. Utilitarian principles are the foundation of many US policies, especially those that deal with economics and trade (1, P4, Williams, 1999). Utility is very tightly linked to efficiency and productivity, and maximum efficiency classically concurs with maximum utility. However, a Utilitarian argument can seem imperfect when dealing with concerns of justice and personal rights, which is the case with
Citations: 1- Williams, Jon (December 1999). An Ethical evaluation of fetal genetic selection . from http://ambient.2y.net/jon/philo/fetal_genetic_selection_1.html 2- Kay, Charles (1997, January, 20). Notes on Utilitarianism. from http://webs.wofford.edu/kaycd/ethics/util.htm 3- The Ministry of Trade and Industry Denmark, (1999). An ethical foundation for genetic engineering choices. from http://www.oem.dk/publikationer/html/english/biotik/parttwo_3.htm 4- Shandilya, Anju (2008, 4, 23). Benefits of Genetic Engineering. from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/benefits-of-genetic-engineering.html 5- Go, Pauline (2009, April, 20). Benefits of Genetic Engineering. Health and Fitness, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-of-Genetic-Engineering&id=2242705