What are the ethics problems with genetic engineering?

Answer 1

Obviously ethics comes from what one believes is right and wrong and so religious beliefs are always at the forefront of this question. I personally am not very religious but am infinitely spiritual. From a strictly religious viewpoint, which may not reflect my own, the Higher Power created all living things, for better or for worse, and each has its own purpose. Genetic engineering takes the guess work out of "what if". The answer is known in advance and the end result (hopefully) is that answer. Most religious objections come from one belief: that it is the Higher Power's domain to create (and destroy).
Having said that, let's go further. Gregor Mendel was one of the first, and definitely the most recognized, pioneers in genetic engineering. He worked on altering pea plants. Some would say no harm, no foul, but we don't have any records as to what "mistakes" were the result of this work. Surely there are no monster plants that destroy everything in their path that have evolved from there, but then we're talking about small plants.
From a practical standpoint though, as a former engineering student with much field experience, I know that what goes on paper as a wonderful idea, does not always come out the same in the field as a wonderful invention. There are always inherent flaws that cannot be predicted, as well as, human error which produces unexpected results. When an engineering project goes bad, we go back to the drawing board, fix the problem, and either dismantle or alter the resultant product to meet our primary expectations and goals.
Now, however, we have taken genetic engineering from pea plants to livestock (and maybe even humans). Higher order organisms, fall under laws. Animal rights groups use these laws to protect their target group from unlawful treatment and use. Civil and criminal laws protect humans as far as they can. Laws, unlike ethics and morals, are curative, not preventative. Ethics and morals keep us from doing things that we know are wrong (or at least they should) while laws can only remedy or cure what has already happened. Laws are written down and enforced after the fact, but are only things that have been deemed by lawmakers to be wrong. Ethics and morals are mental warnings that should keep one from doing the wrong thing beforehand. This is why sometimes we find the case of something not being illegal, but it is definitely immoral and unethical.
All this leads to one thought, which is a big problem with genetic engineering. If this field were unregulated, what would we do with the unexpected results of human and animal projects. Would we lock them in a room or cage somewhere until their expiration, would we exterminate them thoughtlessly because they weren't the desired result, or would we simply set them free to run amock around the world with no thought at all as to the results of that action? And the question of their freedom itself is another thought: Who has the right to control or contain another human? Especially if this human were "created" but wasn't what was expected; they would still be a human, but totally under the supervision and control of the ones who "invented" them. But even if they were the expected result, they would still be in the same position.
And finally, the question of good versus evil. Since an invention becomes free game, more or less, of anyone who uses it, how would we use and/or regulate the "perfected" science of genetic engineering as it would apply to humans and animals? Eventually, the evil would infiltrate this field too, and who knows what the effects would be: Armys of unstoppable Atilla the Hun's and Adolph Hitler's? Masses of mutated animals (and even humans) that were so dangerous that the world would be on constant quarantine? Offspring that were nothing like their parents because certain qualities and characteristics had been deemed undesirable (whether by fact or by preference) of those in control, and with or without parental consent?
Or it could be all wine and roses: The total extinction of genetic diseases and maladies, birth defects, no more survival of the fittest (no more weakest link), etc.
But who is to say that it could or would happen either way or both?
Before you laugh at the good vs. evil aspect, consider this: Something as simple as a rubber band which was invented to help hold things together, has evolved into useful things like medical tourniquets and bungy cords, but also weapons like slingshots, due to the primary invention being furthered for other causes, totally out of the hands of the original inventor. The Atom bomb was Einstein's greatest regret because his technology for nuclear fusion and fission, was furthered to create the most destructive device ever seen before or since, despite his objections that it would serve no purpose other than what it is, all without his consent or control.
If this isn't enough food for thought on the ethics problems of genetic engineering, there is no help available.

Answer 2

There are no known ethical problems with genetic engineering at the moment. Some people like The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, have argued that biotechnology companies want to play God by genetic engineering organisms. This, to me, is not true. Genetic engineering is not a yesterday technology. It has been used to develop common drugs being used to treat malaria, Tuber Culosis, HIV/AIDS e.t.c.
You can gain more insight of potential benefits of genetic engineering by visiting these sites.
http://www.gmoafrica.org
http://www.monsanto.com/biotech-gmo/
http://www.fbaeblog.org/
http://www.gmofoodforthought.com/

Answer 3

Genetic engineering involves the manipulation of genes in an organism's genome. The purpose of doing this is currently to improve crop yields and confer resistance to pathogens.

However, it could also be used for human cloning and other highly controversial uses.

Organisms have adapted themselves to their environments through the process of evolution over long periods of time. Adaptation is a process involving the swapping of genes through reproduction, effects due to errors in the reproductive process and environment, among other things. Genetic processes are VERY complex and we are only at the beginning of understanding them.

If we manipulate genes and accidently remove information such as latent resistance to some disease, we might destroy what evolution as produced.

If we manipulate genes and, due to lack of knowledge, produce humans with gross deformaties, what do we do with them? A moral question.

If we manipulate genes in order to produce an "ideal" human, what happens to "less than ideal" humans? Another moral question.

If we create an "ideal corn" and use it everywhere, and a disease comes along and wipes out this single crop all over the globe, what happens?

Answer 4

NAZISM is a form of genetic engineering.

Answer 5

Do your coursework yourself.