Genetic Engineering Ethical Implications of Cloning and What might be in store for our Future

Quote from William Gatlin “I not only think that we will tamper with Mother Nature, I think Mother wants us to.”

The Process of Cloning 1.Place Cells in a petry dish (grow them in optimal conditions). 2.Electroshock an unfertilized egg with a cell nucleus and fuse them together. 3.Implant embryo into human mother where it can be incubated. Artificial womb or a Human womb. Surrogate Mothers….Would You be one for your best friend/sibling?

President Bush’s Decision Why is it important to do Federal Research No competition when groups are federally funded Information is open and information is shared. Decision didn’t stop individual people from experimenting Bush stopped Federal funding from being issued for future stem cell’s from baby embryos

President Obama signed an executive order ending Bush-era restrictions on using federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research. The President explained that: Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.... In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research – and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly.

Why Fetal Stem cells Adult stem cells could be beneficial…..this is the debate. Fluid from Amniotic Sac? (2007) Adult stem cells are less productive than fetal stem cells…….They divide more readily……Fetal stem cells develop organs better.

Ethics of Cloning Who do we decide to clone What does this person look like? What intelligence level? What skills are important? Is height important….What eye color? What is a “Perfect Being?” Certain people can drink the water in Vietnam, but when we drink a glass, we could get sick. People evolve for the situation!

Ethics If we decide to get rid of diseases……Which ones will be cured? If you get rid of one disease, another is likely to take its place. The world might be balanced in some unforeseeable way?

Who is eligible for Genetic Engineering? Will we be curing millions of people, or people with millions? You decide Organ transplants are a major reason for major support. Will there be a warehouse of human parts? Will there be an extra-you in case you need better eyes or legs. What happens to that other person? Do they have a soul or even Human Rights?

Who is eligible for G.E. Old Age……….Is it a disease? What elements make up a perfect human? Perfect Pitch This might end up with no human that is more talented than another.

Will clones be Human? Threat of cloned armies, or humans used for experimentation only. Will they have a soul? Cryogenics People have been frozen in hopes for scientific breakthroughs in the future. Certain individuals with money want to be brought back when there is a cure for cancer.

What do you think? ???????????????????????????????????????

Gattaca Futuristic film about the ethics of genetic engineering and living with process and society.

Student Lecture Assignment Students will be divided into groups of 4-6 The Groups will each read a separate article regarding bioethics and genetic engineering. You will design a lecture and teach it to the class. Your lecture must be related to summarizing your article and teaching it in some creative way to us. Ways to be creative (paper/markers/overhead projector/whiteboard as options/discussion questions)

Student Lecture Every student in the group must be active in providing information to the class. It would be wise to divide the articles into separate sections for each group member. Be creative and know the material.