http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/paul_root_wolpe_it_s_time_to_question_bio_engineering.html
Bio of speaker
http://www.ted.com/speakers/paul_root_wolpe.html
TED Talk by James Watson, who co-discovered structure of DNA
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/james_watson_on_how_he_discovered_dna.html
Basic primers on genetics; we'll watch in class on 14 March.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/geneticvariation/page1 (individual slides; go at your own pace)
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_bolinsky_animates_a_cell.html
(especially the last 3 minutes of animation within a cell)
http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/genetic_engineering/index.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_bolinsky_animates_a_cell.html
(especially the last 3 minutes of animation within a cell)
http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/genetic_engineering/index.html
When we talked about genetics I thought of the movie The Island, where donors pay millions of money to make a clone of themselves. This clone was made as an insurance policy, so if the donor needs a new kidney the clone will give that to them. I know this isnt what we are exactly talking about in class but it would be interesting how far we will go to manipulate genetics. I think that we should not mess with the natural process of reproduction.
ReplyDeleteAs a biology major, I find this topic the hardest. From a self-interested point of view, I think that being able to manipulate genes is AMAZING and there is so much good that can come out of being able to splice out genetic defects. But then there comes the possiblity of splicing in genetic augmentations, creating super-humans,cloning to produce organs, or conceiving embryos specifically for the reason of research in which the embryo will be destroyed. Morally I am conflicted because I don't want to limit the good science can do for society, but I know that there is a fine line between splicing out birth defects and genetically engineered children.I think that best policy might be to inspect this line very very closely and put up alot of protection that prohibits us from crossing it, so that we don't fall prey to "slippery-slope" scenarios and moral relativism as a result of technological imperative.
ReplyDeleteI agree copmletely with Ashley- the possibilities that can come out of this in terms of helping people are amazing, but there is potential to destroy a lot of different aspects of human life, such as genetic variability and our natural diversity. These tactics could be used for malicious purposes and in my opinion, it is better to stay away from it than to flirt with danger. The closer we get to creating genetically engineered children (which is disgusting to me, thinking of children as modified products out of a factory), the more tempted we may be to "trying new things" involving genetic enhancement, which could ultimately be devastating to humans as a race.
ReplyDeleteI think there could be a lot of benefits that could come from research on genetics. However, I agree that some would use it for the wrong reasons. I like the idea of completely erradicating specific diseases or disorders from the world, but some would take it too far as to genetically engineering their children. Everyone has dreams of what they want their child to look like or act like and research on genetics could one day allow for that to happen.
ReplyDeleteManipulating human genetics can do great things for our species. However it also can lead to our downfall. By manipulating our genome we can cause problems that weren't there before. By trying to 'fix' one problem we can create a whole slew of more problems. Some of our genetic variations and mutations are present in our genome by natural selection. We have them for a reason, don't mess with them.
ReplyDeleteGenetic research is beneficial in many ways and technology advances can possibly lead to added benefits. However, just like everything else some people tend to take things out of proportion. Gene research is currently helping cure/prevent certain diseases and can possibly eradicate diseases completely in the future and that is a great advancement, but using it to engineer children is just too extreme. Eventually, children will be manufactured like other products we use in life. What happened to just being happy and satisfied with having a beautiful healthy baby??
ReplyDeleteIf used in the right way and for the right reasons, I think genetic testing could help those who suffer from diseases but I do not think genetic enhancement or any other measures (except for matter of life and death illnesses) should be used for any other reason. Saving lives is a good reason to use genetic testing but engineering unborn children to the parents liking is way too far fetched for my liking.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anything with gene testing as long as it is done for the right reasons. The minute people begin to try to enhance genes for reasons other then saving lives that is when it becomes wrong to do. Nobody should be able to play god.
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