The Ethics of Genetic Engineering
Summary: Genetic engineering is the science of designing a human being's genes to fit specified criteria. You could determine your potential child's future by choosing its gender, skin colour, level of intelligence - the list is infinite.
Genetic engineering is an amazing science advancing at such a fast-pace, but because of moral and ethical concerns, research into this new technology has been limited.
Today, we collectively stand on the threshold of science fiction. Genetic engineering has emerged -- faster, simpler, and more accessible than anyone had foreseen. The pounding gait of science has, in many ways, outpaced the best efforts of theology, politics, and ethics. Each of us planning to live well into the 21st century can expect to be affected by the ramifications of genetic engineering. Already, in vitro fertilization has become routine, and sex selection before conception is possible for aspiring parents(Schaeffer, 1999, p.15); Genetic enhancements are on the verge of providing mankind with drugs to treat brain disorders like Alzheimer's and epidemics such as the AIDS virus(Williams, 2000, p.9); Total genetic engineering of human embryos is expected to be safe and efficient within the next 50 years(Silver, 1999, p.26). We must form our opinions- and our policies- now.
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