The moral and ethical implications of Gene Technology.

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Ranjeeta Khalsa 12A

The moral and ethical implications of Gene Technology (1000 words)

  • Economic view (Financial)   Advantages & Disadvantages
  • Social view
  • Environmental view

Genetic research has advanced in a dramatic fashion in the last decade or so, to the point where it has become possible to attempt genetic modification, in a few cases of human genes where a defect manifests itself into certain serious diseases. This possibility known as gene therapy is only in its infancy. At present no-one knows how effective it will prove to be, and even on a few conditions on which it has been tried – whether it will only be of relatively limited application, or whether it will be open to a wider number of possibilities. It suffers both over- optimistic claims and exaggerated dangers from others. It is not possible to assert exactly where the possibilities opened up by todays technology will lead in terms of future developments, but various ethical and moral concerns are implicit in the technology. These are important to draw to attention before gene technology enhances further.

GMO’s are living organisms (plants, animals or bacteria) that have been genetically “engineered” by the insertion of a foreign gene. The foreign gene, which can come from any one of a number of different sources, is inserted to increase the value of the recipient organism. Gene technology has the potential to contribute to environmental sustainability and natural management. Potential environmental benefits can be released from genetically modified plants, animals and microorganisms currently being developed for non- environmental purposes, but also from GMO’s specifically developed to protect biodiversity, enhance environmental protection or otherwise solve environmental problems.

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However the environment comprises many natural and modified ecosystems and GMO’s may have impacts on them. Potential adverse impacts could affect gene pools ecosystems and regions. The environmental applications of gene technology include the possible control of weeds and pest animals, the deployment of GMO’s reducing the use of toxic chemicals and the use of GM bacteria to decontaminate toxic waste sites. The complexity of natural environments and ecosystem processes, and the unknown evolutionary fate of inserted genes, all contribute to difficulties of predicting environmental impacts. We should therefore proceed with caution as once gene technology enhances and is released ...

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