Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering in Humans

Genetic engineering is one of the most significant technological revolutions in the lives of human beings in the twenty-first century. It is the biotechnological advancement that can help to prevent the transfer of diseases and enhance the skills and even the longevity of individuals. However, it also has profound ethical connotations. The ethical issues that can be raised with human genetic engineering are safety, equity, autonomy, and impact. This paper evaluates the following ethical issues and finds that while genetic engineering is a promising technology, it should be controlled to ensure that it brings about the intended benefits to society. This is because there are numerous ethical dilemmas associated with genetic engineering in humans, and this requires much ethical regulation to ensure that the advantages of the technology outweigh the disadvantages.

Safety and Unintended Consequences

The first and most apparent ethical concern that arises when applying genetic engineering to human beings is the question of safety. The tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9, are precise, but they are also accurate; therefore, mistakes can occur. The side effects, which point to the fact that other regions of the genome are involved, are hazardous in the sense that they may lead to new genetic diseases or even worsen the already existing ones (Bostrom, 2020). At the same time, it is necessary to understand that the outcomes of the changes in genes are unpredictable, and that is why one can face adverse outcomes in the future for himself or herself and for generations to come. Thus, testing and adherence to legislation are essential to ensure that the gene-editing processes are safe before they are applied.

Equity and Accessibility

This is because the use of the technologies is affected by the use of genetic engineering, which results in a significant difference in the availability of the technologies. The rich people and the developed countries may afford to use the genetic enhancements; hence, there might be a new form of stratification where the genetically enhanced individuals or nations may be superior to the rest (Bostrom, 2020). This has social implications for justice and fairness since people with low incomes and the vulnerable are the most affected. Suppose genetic engineering is to be made available for everyone and not a preserve of the rich. In that case, there have to be measures put in place to regulate the rich, as genetic engineering is a luxury.

Informed Consent

The principle of informed consent is one of the most fundamental principles of medical practice, which means that the patient should be informed of the nature of the treatment to be given to him before the treatment is given. Anyone who intends to undergo genetic changes should ensure that they have a clear understanding of the implications, benefits, and outcomes of the processes (Sandel, 2020). This becomes even more contentious, especially when one is talking about germline modifications, which will affect not only the subject but also his/her progeny. Consent in these cases also has to be given with reference to the rights of future generations, who cannot give their consent to the alteration of their genetic structure. Thus, to consider the rights of the patients and the ethical issues, one has to ensure that the patients are adequately informed of the process of genetic engineering.

Social and Moral Implications

Another social and ethical implication of the application of genetic engineering in humans is also very significant. It raises questions on the ability to alter human genes, as well as questions on the nature of humanity and how much one should interfere with the environment. The two main ethical concerns that the author discusses are what he calls 'interference' with the genetic makeup of the species and 'removal' of variation. Further, there is a likelihood that genetic engineering will be employed in eugenics for the purposes of creating 'better' progeny, which will only lead to other forms of discrimination and groups in society (Sandelm, 2020). Such moral and social implications cannot be resolved by a decision or by one person. However, they have to be resolved through society's decision-making process in order to address the ethical issues of genetic engineering.

Conclusion

There are many and varied ethical considerations in human genetic engineering: the risks involved, equity, questions on the capacity of individuals to make informed choices, and finally, the question of the permissibility of the practice. The benefits of eliminating genetic diseases and enhancing human performance are enormous. However, society and scientists should recognize the risks and ethical issues of gene modification. Therefore, ethical monitoring, good laws, and the involvement of the public are needed to ensure that genetic engineering is safe, fair, and ethical. Thus, as this technology develops, specific ethical concerns should be followed so that this technology can be used in such a manner that it will be advantageous to the whole world.