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Genetic Engineering. Applying utilitarianism. Types. Genetic engineering is the process of identifying sections of DNA that cause particular features. The majority of this research is done under the Human Genome Project. There are generally accepted to be two types of genetic engineering:
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Genetic Engineering Applying utilitarianism
Types Genetic engineering is the process of identifying sections of DNA that cause particular features. The majority of this research is done under the Human Genome Project. There are generally accepted to be two types of genetic engineering: • Germ-line therapy – used to eradicate diseases, and is more complicated • Enhancement genetic engineering – used to change or ‘improve’ the features of an unborn foetus’
The Human Genome Project aims to identify which parts of DNA cause different functions (ie. Particular diseases)
Germ-line therapy • making changes to the reproductive cells. This will affect future generations. This can be used to eradicate any inherited diseases, but any mistakes would have major effects for the future of the human race. Hedonic calculus becomes difficult as consequences are hard to predict.
Facts about Germ-line therapy diseases • Some 2000 to 3000 diseases have been determined to be genetic or inherited • Up to two percent of newborns in the U.S. have a genetic disorder that could be prevented with germ-line therapy. • Not all genetic diseases can be treated. While there is ongoing research to map the entire human genome (The Human Genome Project). The exact function of each gene is not fully understood. One such disease is Lesch-Nyhan disease. . .
LeschNyhan disease • Could be cured with Germ-line therapy • Lesch-Nyhan disease is a rare condition that affects children at a very young age. Children with this disease get kidney stones, they cannot control their muscles, and they develop an irresistible urge to try to hurt themselves. There is also a result of a build up of uric acid in their joints.
Enhancement genetic engineering(AKA Eugenics) • Using gene therapy to ‘improve’ a foetus (Specifically not rectifying disease) • What constitutes an improvement? • Considered ‘playing God’ • Brings in Aryan race ideology from Nazi Germany Does having a ‘perfect’ child cause pleasure? Do humans make good judgments about what is an improvement? Is this ‘improvement’ a moral right? Can this be seen as a higher order pleasure?
Similar examples of ‘improvement’ were used in Nazi Germany with the Aryan Race ideology, where fair skinned, blonde and blue eyed people were seen as racially superior. Hitler’s method of Eugenics were not as technology advanced, but he removed genes from the gene pool by killing people with ‘undesirable features’
Bentham conclusion The possible consequences of Genetic engineering would cause more pain than the pleasure gained from the eradication of disease or a ‘perfect’ child. However initially (short term) there would be greater pleasure from the curing of diseases and ‘perfect’ children.
Mill’s utilitarianism Autonomy – It is a moral right to be able to have dignity, and in cases such as Lesch-Nyhan disease, genetic engineering is justifiable. However can improving or perfecting a child be seen as a moral right?
