Issues Raised By The Rise Of Science

Question 1

What issues are raised by science?

Answer 1

-Use of animals in testing (synoptic link: stewardship).

-Genetic engineering and modification.

-Eugenics.
‘Designer Babies’ / ‘transhumans’.

-Artificial Intelligence.

Question 2

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 2

Changing or manipulating genes

Prevent disease and disability in human beings

Question 3

Key term - genetic engineering

Answer 3

-also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome.

-It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species to produce improved organisms.

Question 4

Possibilities of genetic engineering

Answer 4

The attempt to engineer a unique set of genes for the genetic modification of humans, animals and plants.

Possibilities include treatments for incurable diseases: Cystic Fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 5

Designer babies

Answer 5

-Thought that, within a generation, it could be possible for parents to select the DNA that would lead to their offspring being super-intelligent or super-fit (genetic enhancement therapy).

-These are known as ‘transhumans’.

Question 6

Genetically modified animals

Answer 6

have produced a human protein in their milk that can be used to treat people with lung disease.

Question 7

Genetically modified crops

Answer 7

can produce significantly larger crop yields and have resistance to diseases, helping to address problems of hunger.

Question 8

What methods are most genetic research based on?

Answer 8

Gene therapy
PGD - pre implantation genetic diagnosis

Question 9

Gene therapy

Answer 9

This enables changes to be made to cells that pass on faulty information from one generation to the next, allowing permanent changes to be made.

Question 10

PGD- pre implantation genetic diagnosis

Answer 10

-This removes the faulty genes from embryos so women at risk of passing on diseases can produce healthy babies.

Question 11

What is stem cell research?

Answer 11

-stem cells can be taken from bone marrow or blood
-also harvested from embryos who were created for IVF treatments, but are no longer needed

Question 12

Stem cell research

Answer 12

-Stem Cell Research is the most recent form of genetic research.

-Stem cells are the ‘building blocks of life’.

-They have no set nature or purpose and can thus be changed into any kind of cell needed e.g. heart cells to repair the damage from a heart attack.

-they can also be used to create or clone new organs to completely replace diseased or damaged ones

Question 13

Where does stem cell research get its resources from?

Answer 13

1) People have difficulty when trying for a baby so they decide to do IVF.

2) This involves the woman taking different drugs so she produces lots of eggs. These eggs are then harvested and combined with the man’s sperm to create embryos.

3) Many eggs are taken so that lots of embryos can be created. This is to make sure that there is a choice so that only the best quality embryos are implanted.

4) The embryos which are not implanted can then be used in stem cell research.

5) Cells are taken from the unused embryos and implanted into diseased cells to try and find cures for currently incurable conditions.

Question 14

Why should we use stem cells?

Answer 14

• stem cells are abundant in embryos
  -they can clone themselves to make multiple cells
  -they can e changed with chemicals to make new cells types which can be used to create new organs for people needing a transplant e.g kidneys

Question 15

Ethical issues raised in stem cell research

Answer 15

-A source of embryonic stem cells is unused embryos produced byin vitrofertilisation (IVF).

-For therapeutic cloning is it right to create embryos for therapy, and destroy them in the process? (Debate of personhood – when does life begin?)

-Embryos could come to be viewed as a commodity, and not as an embryo that could develop into a person.
At what stage of its development should an embryo be regarded as, and treated as a person? (Personhood debate)

-There are arguments to move the embryo research limitations from 14 days to 28 days. What problems could this cause?

Question 16

What are designer babies?

Answer 16

-DB are the result of the editing of DNA cells or embryos.

-An embryo is first made with IVF. Within 5 days a single cell is removed from the embryo and genetically tested.

-If the parents decide to go further, it is implanted in the mother’s womb or else it is destroyed.

-The process of genetic selection of the embryo is called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), which means doctors can check for conditions such as Down’s Syndrome and cystic fibrosis.

-This information can be used to select the sex of the child, to treat a sick sibling and eventually it will become possible to engineer the intelligence and appearance of children.

Question 17

Issues- dystopia

Answer 17

-We could create a society for the rich and a society for the poor.

-Rich people could ask doctors to engineer their children with superior physiques, intellect or beauty.

-Poor people would have no access to this technology.

Question 18

Valuing a child based on personal preference. - ethical issues

Answer 18

-I value these things, so I want to give my child these things.

-Do we want this scenario? A parent may not value sports, but their child could be good at them.

-A parent may not value artistic ability, but their child could be good at it.

-This means we value a child for what we want them to be rather than what they are.

Question 19

The likelihood that the human race would become trans-human - ethical issues

Answer 19

-where people would choose (and pay) to have all sorts of different body-types and mental abilities, and eventually post-human, where people will no longer be recognizable as humans as we define ourselves today.

Question 20

People are taking on the role of creators – ethical issues

Answer 20

-this is God’s role (playing God). Can humans be trusted with this?

-Think of the many acts of genocide the world has seen.

-This could be seen as a barbaric form of streamlining the human gene pool – a scientific process of genocide.

Question 21

Pros of designer babies

Answer 21

-It could increase human lifespan for up to 30 years.

-It might help prevent genetic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s Disease, down syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and many others.

-It reduces the risk of inherited medical conditions such as anaemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and much more.

-It allows parents to give their child a healthy life.

-Genetically engineering babies is an option, not a requirement for all parents. For those that disagree with it, they don’t have to engineer their child.

-Parents can set their own limits for genetically engineering their baby.

-Can choose sex or appearance of the baby.

-It allows parents to give the child genes that they do not carry.

Question 22

Cons - desginger babies

Answer 22

-The process cannot 100% properly evaluate every gene. They are more than likely mistakes will be made.

-If the process is not done carefully, the embryo could be accidentally terminated.

-The technology used is not 100% safe yet. It is only in the experimental stages at this point.

-A baby cannot consent to have its body altered; therefore, some do not believe it’s right as parents do not “own” their children

-Parents may use this technology for superficial purposes, such as purposely seeking out a blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby for appearance concerns only.

-They could create a gap in society. “Designer” babies would most likely be better looking, smarter, etc. This would create “classes” between designer andnon-designerbabies.

-Because most people will seek out good-looking, intelligent babies with other optimum characteristics, everyone will be relatively similar.

-This procedure is not cheap, and not everyone would be able to afford it, thus creating prejudice between “Designer” and “non-designer” babies.

Question 23

Medical Treatments for Incurable Diseases

Answer 23

Genetic engineering holds promise for treating currently incurable diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

By modifying genes associated with these diseases, researchers aim to develop therapies that can alleviate symptoms or even cure the conditions.

Question 24

Designer Babies and Genetic Enhancement Therapy:

Answer 24

-The concept of designer babies involves selecting specific genetic traits for offspring, such as intelligence or physical fitness, through genetic modification.

-This idea suggests that within a generation, parents could potentially have the capability to choose the DNA that would shape their children into “transhumans,” individuals who possess enhanced traits beyond typical human abilities.

Question 25

Genetically Modified Animals:

Answer 25

-Animals can be genetically modified to produce human proteins or other substances of medical interest.

-For instance, some animals have been engineered to produce human proteins in their milk, which can then be used as therapeutic agents for treating diseases such as lung disease.

-This method offers a potentially more efficient and scalable approach to producing biopharmaceuticals.

Question 26

Genetically Modified Crops:

Answer 26

-Genetic modification of crops aims to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.

-By introducing genes that confer resistance to diseases or pests and genes that promote higher yields, genetically modified crops can address challenges related to food security and hunger.

-These crops have the potential to produce larger harvests with reduced dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

-In summary, the pursuit of engineering a unique set of genes for genetic modification encompasses diverse applications ranging from medical treatments to agricultural advancements.

-While offering promising solutions to pressing challenges, these endeavours also raise ethical, social, and regulatory considerations that need to be carefully addressed.

Question 27

Medical Treatments for Incurable Diseases:
Pros:

Answer 27

Improved Health Outcomes: Genetic engineering holds the potential to provide effective treatments or cures for currently incurable diseases, thereby significantly improving the health and well-being of affected individuals.

Reduced Suffering: Alleviating the symptoms or curing diseases through genetic modification can reduce the suffering experienced by patients and their families.

Medical Progress: Advancements in genetic engineering for medical purposes contribute to scientific progress and may pave the way for future breakthroughs in healthcare.

Question 28

Cons:
Medical Treatments for Incurable Diseases:

Answer 28

Ethical Concerns: There are ethical concerns regarding the potential unintended consequences of altering the human genome, including unforeseen health risks or unintended genetic mutations.

Access and Equity: Ensuring equitable access to genetic therapies is a concern, as these treatments may initially be expensive and inaccessible to disadvantaged populations.

Eugenics: Genetic modification for medical purposes raises concerns about the possibility of moving towards a eugenic society, where individuals are judged based on their genetic traits and disparities in access to genetic enhancements may exacerbate existing inequalities.

Question 29

Designer Babies and Genetic Enhancement Therapy:
Pros:

Answer 29

Enhanced Traits: Genetic modification could allow parents to select for desirable traits in their children, such as intelligence or disease resistance, potentially leading to healthier and more capable individuals.

Personal Autonomy: Allowing individuals to make choices about the genetic makeup of their offspring respects their autonomy and reproductive rights.

Medical Benefits: Some argue that genetic enhancement could offer medical benefits by reducing the risk of hereditary diseases or predispositions.

Question 30

Designer Babies and Genetic Enhancement Therapy:
Cons:

Answer 30

Ethical Slippery Slope: The pursuit of designer babies raises concerns about the slippery slope towards eugenics and the commodification of human life, where individuals are valued based on their genetic traits.

Social Inequity: Genetic enhancements may exacerbate existing social inequalities, as they could potentially be accessible only to the wealthy, widening the gap between the privileged and disadvantaged.

Unintended Consequences: Manipulating genes for desired traits may have unforeseen consequences for individuals and society, both in terms of health risks and broader societal implications.

Question 31

Genetically Modified Animals and Crops:
Pros:

Answer 31

Improved Health and Nutrition: Genetically modified animals and crops can contribute to improved health and nutrition by producing therapeutic proteins or enhanced nutritional content.

Sustainable Agriculture: Genetic modifications can help address challenges such as pest resistance and drought tolerance, leading to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Increased Food Security: By enhancing crop yields and resilience, genetically modified crops have the potential to mitigate food shortages and improve global food security.

Question 32

Genetically Modified Animals and Crops:
Cons:

Answer 32

Environmental Concerns: There are concerns about the environmental impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including potential harm to biodiversity, ecosystem disruption, and the development of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Food Safety: Some question the safety of consuming genetically modified foods and raise concerns about potential long-term health effects.

Economic Dependence: The dominance of genetically modified crops could lead to economic dependence on a few multinational corporations that control the patents for these crops, potentially disadvantaging small-scale farmers and exacerbating agricultural inequalities.