What ethical dilemmas are associated with genetic engineering?

What ethical dilemmas are associated with genetic engineering?

• A. Improvement of public health
• B. Concerns about designer babies
• C. Advancement of medical research
• D. Reduction of genetic disorders

Answer: (B)

The ethical dilemmas associated with genetic engineering often center around the concept of "designer babies." This term refers to the ability to select or alter genetic traits in embryos, which raises significant ethical concerns. These include the potential for socio-economic disparities, where only certain populations may have access to genetic modifications, leading to inequality in health and abilities. Additionally, there are worries about the implications of playing a role in human evolution and the long-term repercussions of altering the genome, which could affect not only the individual but also future generations. Concerns about designer babies involve not only the technical feasibility of genetic modifications but also the moral responsibility that comes with such choices. This includes questions about consent, as embryos cannot consent to the modifications made to them, and the unforeseen consequences that manipulating the genetic code may have on future health, identity, and diversity within the human population. While the improvement of public health, advancement of medical research, and reduction of genetic disorders are potential benefits associated with genetic engineering, they do not encapsulate the ethical concerns as profoundly as the issues surrounding designer babies do. Concerns about embedding values and preferences into genetic selection introduce a complex layer of ethical discourse that must be navigated carefully in the field of genetics and genomics.

The ethical dilemmas associated with genetic engineering often center around the concept of "designer babies." This term refers to the ability to select or alter genetic traits in embryos, which raises significant ethical concerns. These include the potential for socio-economic disparities, where only certain populations may have access to genetic modifications, leading to inequality in health and abilities. Additionally, there are worries about the implications of playing a role in human evolution and the long-term repercussions of altering the genome, which could affect not only the individual but also future generations.

Concerns about designer babies involve not only the technical feasibility of genetic modifications but also the moral responsibility that comes with such choices. This includes questions about consent, as embryos cannot consent to the modifications made to them, and the unforeseen consequences that manipulating the genetic code may have on future health, identity, and diversity within the human population.

While the improvement of public health, advancement of medical research, and reduction of genetic disorders are potential benefits associated with genetic engineering, they do not encapsulate the ethical concerns as profoundly as the issues surrounding designer babies do. Concerns about embedding values and preferences into genetic selection introduce a complex layer of ethical discourse that must be navigated carefully in the field of genetics and genomics.