PLAYING GOD?
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Unethical?
1. The current gene therapy that is being studied focuses on treating individuals by using a vector to transport a the therapeutic gene to somatic cells. This type of gene therapy cannot be passed to offspring. However, Gene therapy could be targeted to sex cells (egg and sperm cells) which would allow the new gene to be passed on to future generations. This is called "germline" gene therapy.
The idea is quite controversial. While it could spare the offspring of a patient inheriting a certain genetic disorder, it might affect the development of a fetus in unknown ways or have long-term side effects that were not expected. Also, people who would be affected by germline gene therapy are not born yet. Thus, they cannot choose whether or not to have the treatment. Nothing is more important than the patient's consent. 2. When discussing gene therapy, a lot of religious and philosophical arguments are brought up. Some believe that the usage of gene therapy disrupts nature or God's creation. People argue that gene therapy involves modifying genes which have been given from birth. Another way of putting it, is that the gene should remain the way God intended to be. Modifying genes may violate the people's religious/philosophical beliefs, for they believe that scientists that try to alter genes are "playing God." What are “good” and “bad” uses of gene therapy? Who can determine what is the "right" gene and what is a "wrong" gene? 3. One of the main ethical concerns regarding gene therapy lies in a simple question; is it safe? Over the past couple decades, researchers have made extensive improvements in working with genes. However there is a risk related to the basic safety of individuals. The fact that gene therapy deals with directly chaning the human genome certainly does bring up a fear of something that could go wrong. What if researchers accidently cause a mutation rather than erase one? What if the virus vectors being used to transplant genes become affect the patient or cause side effects? Technology, although regarded as a significant and an ever-improving necessity in society always has room for error. Until proven as a thoroughly tested and reliable technique, the government will not allow this treatment in clinics. For more info on this topic, click the button: |