The best online Debate website - DebateIsland.com! The only Online Debate Website with Casual, Persuade Me, Formalish, and Formal Online Debate formats. We’re the Leading Online Debate website. Debate popular topics, Debate news, or Debate anything! Debate online for free!
Where do we draw the line on human genetic engineering?
in Science
Debra AI Prediction
Arguments
  Considerate: 98%  
  Substantial: 92%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 93%  
  Sentiment: Neutral  
  Avg. Grade Level: 10.1  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 92%  
  Learn More About Debra
  Considerate: 58%  
  Substantial: 20%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 100%  
  Sentiment: Neutral  
  Avg. Grade Level: 12.94  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 96%  
  Learn More About Debra
“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” - Benjamin Franklin So flat Earthers, man-made climate change deniers, and just science deniers.
I friended myself!
  Considerate: 74%  
  Substantial: 46%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 100%  
  Sentiment: Neutral  
  Avg. Grade Level: 5.58  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 97%  
  Learn More About Debra
  Considerate: 60%  
  Substantial: 17%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 100%  
  Sentiment: Neutral  
  Avg. Grade Level: 10.18  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 99%  
  Learn More About Debra
  Considerate: 95%  
  Substantial: 16%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 100%  
  Sentiment: Positive  
  Avg. Grade Level: 4.46  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 98%  
  Learn More About Debra
Second, I don't think we can reasonably draw a single line. The difference between treatment for an illness and enhancement is not so blatant in many cases. Sure, if you're changing eye color, that could be a little more obvious. But what if you have a child that is deficient in human growth hormone (HGH)? They might be only 4 feet tall when full grown, and come with a host of health issues. So you engineer in a better promoter for the production of HGH. Now, let's assume there's a child that produces only slightly more HGH. They'll be 4.5 feet. Should they be allowed the treatment? How about 5 feet? Where do we reasonably draw the line? The answer is that anywhere we draw the line will be arbitrary. Sure, we might be able to get some agreement on some of the basics, but not on issues like this where there is a sliding scale. Moreover, even on basic issues like eye color, do we really prefer a system where potential parents screen through embryos until they find the one that has the right traits? I'm not so sure.
So, where do we draw the line? I'll present the unpopular opinion here: we don't. Genetic engineering isn't at the point where we can modify humans, but when it does come, it's going to come with a lot of promise and concern. All of that is reasonable. We don't want a future like Gattaca where genetics becomes part of the social strata, but I don't think we can reasonably stop it. Sure, genetic engineering should be regulated to prevent parents from doing terrible things to their children, but in the presence of a line, there will be a black market for genetic engineering, particularly for parents who have genetic illnesses that fall on the wrong side of that line. I think driving it underground is likely to make the process dangerous and lead to its own host of problems.
  Considerate: 93%  
  Substantial: 100%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 98%  
  Sentiment: Negative  
  Avg. Grade Level: 9.36  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 94%  
  Learn More About Debra
  Considerate: 58%  
  Substantial: 45%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 90%  
  Sentiment: Negative  
  Avg. Grade Level: 13.2  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 96%  
  Learn More About Debra
  Considerate: 95%  
  Substantial: 77%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 100%  
  Sentiment: Neutral  
  Avg. Grade Level: 13.4  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 97%  
  Learn More About Debra
  Considerate: 44%  
  Substantial: 20%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 88%  
  Sentiment: Neutral  
  Avg. Grade Level: 5.58  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 96%  
  Learn More About Debra
  Considerate: 95%  
  Substantial: 92%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 98%  
  Sentiment: Positive  
  Avg. Grade Level: 12.26  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 93%  
  Learn More About Debra
Suppose we have an idea of altering certain genes that could, in theory, produce a human much superior in physical and mental characteristics to regular humans. But we are not 100% sure about our theories. Would it be reasonable to perform the genetic operation on a fetus and see what it grows into? I would say, yes. Granted that the scientists have a way to quickly and painlessly dispose of a twisted organism that could emerge as a result of horrible miscalculation.
It goes without saying that adults giving consent on altering their genes should have the right to have the genetic enhancements performed on them. I personally would gladly try out a genetic technology on myself, after getting familiar with all the documentation and seeing the risks as relatively small. Science is amazing, and risk is one of the parts that make it so interesting. Without taking any risks and often failing miserably, we would still be living in caves.
So, to answer the popular question: should there be any regulations? I would say, no. Nothing beyond the already existing laws defending human rights is needed.
  Considerate: 87%  
  Substantial: 99%  
  Spelling & Grammar: 97%  
  Sentiment: Positive  
  Avg. Grade Level: 11.78  
  Sources: 0  
  Relevant (Beta): 99%  
  Learn More About Debra