Just Because We Can, Should We? By: Adrienne Symons

Sequencing the complete Human Genome was one of the greatest discoveries in genetics. The Human Genome can be thought of as “The Book of Man,” as it includes the complete series of 3,200,000,000 nucleotides found in the human body. This discovery lead to the controversial questions, “Just because we can… should we? Should mankind be permitted to alter the genetic code?” I am a firm believer that the few disadvantages in permitting alterations to the genetic code outweigh the many advantages. These large-scale disadvantages include, the potential violation of genetic information, the misuse of genetic engineering and an even greater over-population on Earth than what currently stands.



The privacy of information has always had an importance in the lives of Canadian’s and people worldwide. It protects the secrecy of personal information such as, medical histories, race, criminal records, etc. Imagine we lived in a world where all of that information was public knowledge. The Human Genome Project has led us to superior knowledge on disorders and diseases, directly associated with genes. What if you future employer or insurance company got their hands on your genome and found out you carry the cancer gene. Will they want to hire you even though you will need to take many sick days? Wouldn’t they rather hire someone who genetically modified this gene? Will your insurance company increase your rates? The potential violation of genetic information is a big disadvantage to being able to alter a person’s genetic code. Who will be the one to control this privacy of information, and will it really be enough?

Misuse and unethical practices are another negative aspect of genetic engineering. Francis Collins expressed his concern, “As a Christian, but also as a scientist responsible for overseeing the Human Genome Project, one of my concerns has been the limits on applications of our understanding of the genome. Should there be limits? I think there should. I think the public has expressed their concern about ways this information might be misused.”

Physical appearances have become the priority of many, due to our technologically advanced and materialistic world. Many people nowadays strive for that ‘Magazine Baby,’ with the perfect little nose and big blue eyes. Genetic engineering could be used for cosmetic reasons. Parents
would be able to hand pick their child’s genes. In a sense, we are ultimately messing with nature’s ways. We are interfering with something that does not need any aid. Who will be the power that draws the line, not allowing such things to occur? Could anyone really take on that role?


Lastly, with a current population of approximately 7 billion, the Earth is already considered to be over-populated. Approximately one in eight people currently suffer form malnutrition. If genetic engineering was used to cure people of life threatening illnesses and lengthen their life span, that would make for an even greater amount people to feed. Not only would the hunger rate increase, but the world’s lifespan would also decrease due to the greater consumption of goods. Our world is already considered “overshot” since humans consume more than the Earth can produce. In other worlds, our ecological footprint is higher than the Earth’s biocapacity. Genetic engineering would increase the Earth’s population at an even greater rate than previously, due to the elimination of diseases and illnesses. As our population grows, we must understand the Earth remains the same size. It can only take so much before it will die out. Why mess with the natural world?



The consequences involved with the alterations of genetic codes are of great severity compared to the positive outcome that could come of it. Leaks of personal information, outbreaks in the misuse of alterations and the strain on the planet are too high of risks to overcome. Sequencing the human genome lead to many discoveries about the human body as we now have a greater understanding of genetics, but it must be left at that. Physically changing genetic codes should be out of the question, as the negatives exceed the positives.

Works Cited

"Quoterature." Quotes by Francis Collins. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2014. <http://www.quoterature.com/francis-collins-quotes>.

"DNA - Episode 3 of 5 - The Human Race - PBS Documentary." YouTube. YouTube, 21 Mar. 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJu9dL7a3ZI>.

"DNA - Episode 5 of 5 - Pandora's Box - PBS Documentary." YouTube. YouTube, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe4EW3AOgzs>.

"The Human Genome Project." The Human Genome Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2014. <http://www.stanford.edu/class/e297c/trade_environment/health/hgenome.html>.