reading journal

In Defense of Nature, Human and Non-Human
By Francis Fukuyama

Summary: The main debate about biotechnology surrounds the current issue of abortion rights. The author argues that the debate should be more focused on genetic engineering of humans. The issue of cloning is behind the veil of the abortion battle. Many believe that manipulation of the human genome before we fully understand it will result in serious and irreparable consequences. There are examples of occurrences where manipulation of nature resulted in negative consequences. No new hydroelectric dams are being made around the world because of how much worse they have made the surrounding communities. There is eagerness in the biotechnology field about the possibility of correcting human ailments and improving the longevity of life. However the human body operates like an ecosystem with delicate balances and counter balances. Editing human genetics could result in even greater problems than ones that we set out to correct. The way through this problem is though understanding and dialog. The author is not against genetic modification, but the warnings are everywhere that if we don’t take care to understand and do this carefully then problems will arise.

Response: I am biochemistry major and I loved this article. The article brings out some very prevalent and emerging issues about the ethical responsibility that comes with the ability and knowledge to edit our own genome. Never before has a species been so aware and understanding of the aspects of its own existence. There are legal patent aspects in genetic research about the ownership of certain genomes. Property in the past has never been able to be passed so easily from one organism to the next. Is if right that a person can imply ownership with of something like life? These are the kinds of questions being asked as we purge the frontier of biotechnologies. If we chose to act on modification of genes before we know what we are doing, we won’t know how to go back and modify it again should results be bad. Life is complex enough that once you edit for instance an embryo at birth, you will not be able to correct results when the person develops. With this we have to get it right the first time and this warrants restraint on our part.