There are many Arguments in Favour and Against Genetic engineering, both religious and non-religious. The Non-religious Argument in Favour agrees with me as I say that it offers the chance to cure hereditary or incurable diseases. The other reasons in favour are because it is available in other countries and only people rich enough can afford the treatments and it is a part of medical research, which is closely monitored by the law.
The Non-religious Arguments against Genetic Engineering state that it does not give enough information about the consequences and has effects that would be permanent, if anything went wrong. The argument agrees that scientists have too much power over things such as ‘interfering with our genes’. The idea of Genetic Engineering gives the impression that humans are treated no different to plants.
My opinion on Genetic Engineering is that it should only be allowed in some circumstances. I can understand why people would like to use genetic engineering but I also think it is unnecessary in the case of something minor or something very extreme. An example of extremism is cloning; I think that it is ridiculous to clone someone, as everyone should be different and not interfered with. An example of a minor case; changing the way someone looks, definitely not needed. I believe that scientists have gained the power to do what used to seem like the impossible.
Some of the Christian responses to Genetic Engineering are positive and others are negative. The strong Christians say that it is a good thing and the church should support it but only if it is done for the use of curing diseases and not to produce clones or ‘perfect’ humans. They say that Jesus was a healer and he taught Christians to do all they possibly can to cure such diseases as heart disease. Their reasons include the fact that God wants humans to improve ‘human’ life and that creating cells using science is working with God, not as God, which is acceptable. Using Embryo’s is not preferred unless they are 14days old because then a live isn’t being destroyed. Also, the non-religious arguments in Favour are accepted. Some Muslims agree with the Christian responses apart from Jesus is replaced with the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith.
The Roman Catholics’ view is half and half. They think that genetic Engineering is permissible, as long as Embryos aren’t used. They agree with the Strong Christians on some of the reasons but not all. They say, unlike the Christians, that killing an Embryo is like killing a life.
Other Christians are negative and say that God has created life and no one has the right to interfere with what God wants and try to make the earth and its being perfect. Some Muslims share this view.
To conclude, I would say that I do and don’t agree with the statement ‘ Only God has the right to interfere with our genes’. I have looked at the Muslim and Christian responses and they tend to agree with my views.
Gemma Whitehead 10He