Starting from the beginning of time, humans were essentially
clueless to life, and everything associated with it. The knowledge that is now
available about humans, evolution and adaption has not only increased but also
arisen. This information has unfolded because people were open to new ideas,
topics and opinions. As humans we are hot wired to evolve, take on new tasks
and discover new possibilities. A new possibility that has been disclosed is
the human genome project, which will allow a large expansion on gene
expression, activity and how they can be altered. Ample controversy has arisen
from this, as there are still unanswered questions according to the effects it
might have. Even though there poses a risk, I believe we should use the human
genome to guide the altering of genes for medical purposes only, because if we
never try we will never know.
There are many diseases that are present in our society
today that are either curable or treatable.
The reason that they are curable or treatable is because scientists in
the past have used their knowledge available for them to create medication to
deal with the problem. As the world
evolves and moves on, there has been more technology to detect larger,
untreatable or incurable medical issues. The fact is that science in the past
has used the insight that was given to them to cure diseases, to release pain,
to save lives. Currently we are gifted
with a decodable code that will potentially present us with the power and
wisdom to help those with medical issues. Leaving the genome unused would
change the way that humans have been looking at science since the beginning of
time. Closing Pandora’s box would close the potential to advance in the world
of science.
I have been blessed with a healthy body, in the means that I
have never been diagnosed with a disease or medical issue. Even though I have
never experience this firsthand, I have been surrounded by it all my life,
through friends, family, and the community. The thing that I have learned is
that medical issues effect people different ways and at different intensities.
I could be incorrect but I think I’m fair to assume that most people detest
pain, emotional pain, or physical pain. When I sit back and think about it,
millions of people are in pain at every second, there is a away to decrease or diminish
the pain, the solution is not being used, it is wrong. If using the human
genome to cure one person from their disease, release them from their hospital
bed, release them from pain, I would say yes.
Donating money to organizations trying to cure diseases
comes frequently, since everyone wants to do what they can to help fund for
research. It seems futile to be donating money to these organizations when
realistically the secret to curing the disease has already been found. There
has been large funding that has been done for the human genome project.
Deciding not to use this information found would put all the hard work and
money to waste.
To conclude, everything happens for a reason, which means
that we were supposed to find the human genome. Closing the box that gives us
the potential to do life-alerting things seems irresponsible, as it is our job
as humans to advance with science, and we are one click away.
Work Cited
"DNA -
Episode 3 of 5 - The Human Race - PBS Documentary." YouTube. YouTube, 21
Mar. 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
"DNA -
Episode 5 of 5 - Pandora's Box." YouTube. YouTube, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 14
Jan. 2014. .
"Genetic
Information Discrimination." Genetic Discrimination. N.p., n.d.
Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
I loved how you started off your response—you acknowledged that up until this point in time, we have obtained all of our scientific knowledge due to the fact that “people were open to new ideas, topics and opinions.” Developing an idea that eventually leads to treatment is a process that requires a lot of dedicated work by many passionate people, but all great ideas once started out because of our open-mindedness. The manipulation of the genome, and the therapies that could result, should also be open to new ideas and concepts. I also agree with your opinion that genetic manipulation must be solely limited to medical purposes. Only dire circumstances that involve the life of another human being can justify the use of gene manipulation. The use of genetic engineering for vain or superficial purposes would spoil the sanctity of these practices, not to mention waste money and cause controversy on where the line should be drawn. I found it interesting that you related our evolution to the evolution of medicine—since we develop and better ourselves, we must also ensure that our technology and their medical applications also develop in order to better assist in the alleviation of suffering. The controversy surrounding genetic manipulation often causes people to oppose the idea because it seems ‘wrong.’ However, I also agree with you when you say “[if] there is a way to decrease or diminish the pain, [and] the solution is not being used, it is wrong.” Alleviating that pain through genetic engineering is not wrong. Denying people the right to a full life, free of pain, is wrong. We must remember the purpose of funding research (which is ultimately to find a cure) and it is our duty to act on this responsibility. Great job!
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