‘only God Has the Right to Interfere with Our Genes' Do You Agree?

The word gene comes from the word for ‘origin’ in Greek. Genes are sections of DNA that determine the structure of a protein. They are the foundation of all life on earth. They form and decide the characteristics of every living creature and the genes that exist today are there because they have been successfully reproduced in the past. The DNA that determines the person that we grow into is created from half of each of our parents DNA. In the process of evolution certain genes have been eradicated in natural selection because the creatures that sprung from them were weaker than other creatures and did not survive. In most human societies life is seen to be valued equally and people who suffer from genetic disorders are supported and cared for instead of disregarded or left to die as they would be in animal societies.

Genes are basically codes or instructions that inhibit or create in organisms cells. In recent years, scientists have learned how to manipulate parts of DNA by creating enzymes to remove or add certain genes. DNA is vastly complicated and organizations such as the Human Genome Project, which is trying to map all the genes in the human body, have helped people suffering from genetic diseases. Embryos that are produced for IVF treatment but not used can now legally be used for research into genetic diseases. In theory, a person could decide the exact appearance and nature of a child by manipulating genes in an embryo. Throughout history groups of people have been targeted as inferior or superior because they are born in a certain disposition perhaps supposedly seen as favorable in the eyes of God- genetic modification can change these aspects and would be no doubt advocated for by homicidal racist Adolph Hitler.

A religious person may harbor the controversial statement of which my essay concerns but I disagree, because I am an atheist and do not think god exists. I think humans have only their conscience and inbuilt survival instincts to guide them through life and decisions and therefore I think that humans have the right to do anything they please and that a human can only do something wrong in the eye of the beholder or when they act contrary to their own interests.

Non-religious people have issues with genetic manipulation for many reasons:

In some cases they may be agnostic, and although not acknowledging that a god exists, they might believe that humans and human life has an intrinsic value that implies we should live peaceful co-operative lives and not manipulate valuable life in a way we do not fully understand.

Other people might take offence to the idea of genetic engineering in humans because it treats us as a commodity no different from plants. There are economic and social issues as well, for example: If genetically superior people immune to diseases existed they would need no sick days or be able to work more efficiently and henceforth take over jobs. Because of GMs recent advent, the long term effects of it are as yet unknown.

Many non-religious people, including PSRG (physicians and scientists for responsible genetics) are firm believers in the use of genetic manipulation to further mankind, their reasons include:

GM can offer the prospect of cures for currently incurable diseases such as: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Crone’s disease, Huntington’s chorea and many more.

Genetic research has been an integral part of medical science and has reliably helped millions of people.

Christian protestants do not object to embryonic research as long as the embryo is under 14 days old (they believe this because it is mentioned in Jeremiah (a book of the Bible) it is said: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…”- which I think is interpreted as meaning that God ‘ensouls’ a child in the embryonic stage (and is relevant because leftover embryos are commonly used in genetic research) but could also be taken to be a statement affirming God’s omniscience). They remember that Jesus healed the sick in the New Testament and take this into account when mulling upon the subject of genetic research.

Protestants are reserved on the subject of human cloning as they feel that it may conflict with the frequently biblically mentioned ‘Sanctity of life’ argument, some worry that we may overstep the authority endowed in us by God,

Roman Catholics are, by majority, opposed to genetic engineering as they believe that humans should stay as God made them. They believe that life begins at conception (and henceforth claim masturbation to be sinful) and in the sanctity of life. They feel that suffering is a necessary part of being human and a valuable spiritual lesson. Pope John Paul 2nd advocated therapeutic treatments for ‘chromosomal deficiencies’