(Baby in a Towel)
The Human Genome Project
CRITIQUES
(Fetal Incubation, Coneyl Jay)
"BEFORE, babies used to be born. NOW, they are created. As an overall society, we are becoming less tolerant of the 'different.'"
~ Yeedor Blog
Not everyone has rushed to embrace the possibilities brought by the Human Genome Project. While the ability to test for, and prevent, disease makes possible a better quality of life there are fears of what that can mean in real world applications. The same ability to correct chromosomal Down Syndrome can be used to eliminate slanted eyes, brown hair, and left-handedness. Critics worry that this ability to play God can only have discriminatory effects.
"God is the Creator. Messing with the DNA is crossing the line."
~ Survey of U.S. Adults conducted March 2-28, 2016, Pew Research Center
Additional concerns include the possibility of a greater divide between the affluent upper class and the economically challenged lower class. Customizing a baby won’t be cheap, and the possibility of the upper class preventing diseases that will continue among the poor brings up ethical and moral concerns that sees some oppose such genetic manipulation.
"I feel this would open the door to more manipulation of humans in an attempt to create a superior race."
~ Survey of U.S. Adults conducted March 2-28, 2016, Pew Research Center
(Robert Sparrow, The Pharmaceutical Journal)
"Just because we have the capability to perform enhancement it does not mean we should proceed."
~ Robert Sparrow, Professor of Philosophy, Monash University, Australia