Arguments for and against various types of genetic engineering: embryo research, cloning and designer babies.
Application of each normative ethical theory to genetic engineering: Natural Moral Law, Virtue Ethics, Situation Ethics.
Evaluation of each normative ethical theory's application to g...
Application of Normative Ethical Theories
~ Human Life Issues ~
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering involves changing the sequence of DNA with the purpose of altering the
characteristics of an organism.
Issues:
1. Personhood - when does an ‘embryo’ become a ‘person’?
2. Playing God - ‘consider God’s handiwork, who can straighten what He hath made
crooked?’ (Ecclesiastes 7:13)
3. Intrinsic value of human life
4. Impact of genetic hierarchy on society - potential for class divide to increase
Embryo Research
This is the harvesting of embryonic stem cells from human embryos up to 14 days old in order to
carry out research and find cures for diseases. Harvesting stem cells destroys the embryo.
Facts
- Embryonic stem spells are mainly extracted from embryos left over from IVF procedures
- Animal embryos are not sufficiently compatible to be in used in research affecting humans,
hence human embryos are used
- 200+ types of tissue originate from embryonic stem cells, therefore they can be transplanted
to treat diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes
Arguments Supporting & Opposing Embryo Research
Support Opposition
Utilitarian Principle - promotes flourishing of Homicide - it is unclear when life begins so
future generations and is pragmatic should treat embryos as a person, and
therefore embryo research violates human
rights
Genetic screening (PGD) - identifies embryos Genetic screening (PGD) would allow
susceptible to disorders and is useful for selection of preferred gender - raises issues of
couples with a history of medical conditions sexism, misogyny, class differences
Peter Singer - a pre-embryo is NOT a sentient Saviour siblings - should a person be used as
being and not yet a person a means to end to save another?
Embryos can be frozen for several years - can Christians and Muslims - humans are created
be used for further research / donated to imago dei so a soul is present before birth.
infertile couples Embryo research destroys the soul.
, Cloning
Cloning is the production of a biological duplicate. Therapeutic Cloning is the transfer of DNA
into the nucleus of a human egg, allowing clones of your cells to produce an embryo from which
cells can be taken to help treat diseases.
Facts
- Cloned embryos can be used as a source of stem cells, which can be used to make new tissue
- Could potentially repair e.g. a severed spinal chord or damage caused by a heart attack
Arguments Supporting & Opposing Cloning
Support Opposition
Reproductive cloning - helps infertile couples Slippery slope argument - animal / human
(IVF) and can pass on their DNA to the child hydride break the species barrier and humans
= imago dei
Therapeutic Cloning - prevents rejection of Pre-embryo = a life -> has same rights as
stem cells by donor body so less money has protection as human life
to be spent on anti-rejection drugs
Cloning enables exact matches to be created Alisdair MacIntyre - Narrative Coherence
for: blood transfusions, cancer treatment, We need a coherent sense of one’s identity.
organ failures Clones would not feel part of the usual
narrative email and their sense of belonging
in society may be undermined
Nietzsche - ‘will to power’ NML - destroys the unitive-procreation
Embraces all that will advance human intention and remove the randomness of
existence - cloning allows developing adult sexual procreation which gives each individual
humans to reach full potential their own TELOS
Aristotle - risk taking is part of the human Evidence that monozygotic twins suffer more
pursuit of perfection from psychological stress / increased
proneness to disease
‘Designer’ Babies
Embryos which have been genetically modified to enhance or replicate desirable traits such as
gender, hair colour etc. are often termed ‘designer’ babies.
Facts
- Within 5 days, a single cell is removed from an embryo made by IVF and tested for conditions
such as Down’s syndrome
- If the parents decide to go further, the embryo is implanted to the mother’s womb,
otherwise it is destroyed
- Soon it will be possible to engineer a child’s intelligence and appearance
- CAS9 technology could eradicate / prevent HIV and Cystic Fibrosis
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