There are many different views on gene therapy and other newly-found medical procedures that are available or going to be available to the public in a few short years, but there are some controversial and fascinating debates on the ethics and safety of gene therapy. Some people are for gene therapy and think it will be the “most important medical breakthrough for the human race”, while others think it is “cheating God” and could be very dangerous if not done correctly. There are many reasons to think both of these things, however no view or opinion is completely correct or completely wrong.
Some reasons people support gene therapy is because they think it could be like a miracle. It could help cure diseases and disorders that have been stumping even the best doctors for decades, and could even give people the last and only chance they have at living. For example, people with cancer could have the cancerous genes replaced with healthy ones in order to cure the cancer, and perhaps be saved from dying an untimely death by cancer. Some people have other lethal diseases or disorders that could kill them, as well, that are linked only to one or some of the chromosomes, which could therefore be cured by gene therapy intervention. Other diseases and disorders, which aren’t necessary lethal but inhibit people from living normal daily lives could also be cured, such as diabetes, reactions to allergens, and much more.
Another reason why people support gene therapy is because it could make children superior. This is a really controversial reason, however, because some people are worried about eugenic extremists and trying to create the “perfect race”. However, parents could perhaps choose which traits they’d like their children to have, as well as get rid of the chance their children would have of inheriting genetic diseases or disorders. This could help prevent birth defects and SIDS, as well as many unfortunate traits children may be born with. With the ability to ensure the traits of future generations or fix any problems children have before they are born, less people may be drawn toward abortions and other controversial subjects, which is a major plus to people who are against abortions.
Gene therapy could also stop people from suffering. For example, as old age sets in people usually get arthritis and other impairments that make it harder to live day to day. Gene therapy could either prevent or get rid of the symptoms and problem altogether, resulting in more pleasurable years and maybe even increase the longevity of life. It could also help to stop cancer and other diseases and disorders, which are usually very hard on sufferers’ bodies, getting rid of the suffering that some people have to go through unfairly. Many people who are for gene therapy believe that it’s a huge step for mankind and will be very beneficial to the human race, however some are also against it.
People who are against gene therapy believe that it is very dangerous and people aren’t well enough educated to give informed consent to use or be tested by it. Many people who are against gene therapy are very religious because they believe that in changing the DNA of people you’re sort of “cheating God”. There are other reasons why it’s so controversial, especially because of eugenics. If people wanted to create the “perfect race”, similar to the Holocaust, gene therapy and gene engineering would make it much easier to do so. This concerns many people who are scared of eugenic extremists.
Another reason that people are against gene therapy is the concern that people’s bodies will reject the DNA. This may be true, because it’s similar to a foreign object that you’re putting into the gene, but there isn’t much evidence supporting that. However, the vectors that are used to install these genes are pretty concerning. Some subjects have died or become greatly injured because of the viruses used as vectors becoming way too strong for their body to counter. Two subjects are also known to have developed leukemia because of the DNA transfer (last citation), and some believe that if the subjects of testing had been better informed they could have prevented the deaths and development of other disorders and diseases which weren’t previously planned.
There are many different legitimate reasons to be for or against gene therapy, but there is also a group of people who are for somatic-cell gene therapy but against germ-cell therapy. Somatic cells are every cell in a being, except for sex cells, which are known as germ cells. In somatic-cell gene therapy, genes are altered, but it only affects one being. In germ-cell therapy, however, the sex cells are altered, meaning changed DNA for all generations to come after the first individual’s germ cells are changed. The reason some people support somatic-cell therapy is because it only affects one person and it’s that person’s choice to have their DNA altered, but in germ-cell therapy the upcoming generations with altered DNA didn’t have a choice. It’s also a concern for eugenics, because if all the germ cells of the human race were altered to a specific way, we could come up with “super people” or even the “perfect human race”. This may seem unattainable, but with gene therapy it is a concern.
The subject of gene therapy is very controversial for many reasons, but whether you’re for or against it, it’s definitely a new type of medicine that could either promote promise or cancel all chances of hope for the human race and the evolution and perfection of it.
Sources:
Wilson, James M. “Human Gene Therapy – Adverse Events in Gene Transfer Trials and an Agenda for the New Year.” Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers. 01 Jan. 2008. 20 May 2008 .
Hogarth, Eric. “Aspects of Gene Therapy (Pros & Cons).” North Dakota State University. 1996. NDSU. 20 May 2008 .
Bergeson, Emilie R. “The Ethics of Gene Therapy.” 1997. North Dakota State University. 19 May 2008.
N, Ananth. “Gene Therapy – Potential, Pros/Cons, and Ethics.” OJHAS. 06 July 2002. 20 May 2008 .
Cohn, Vicki. “Debate Over Safety of Gene Therapy Trials Focuses on Issue of Informed Consent.” Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers. 22 Jan. 2008. 20 May 2008 .
Wharam, Chris. “Human Gene Therapy.” North Dakota State University. 1999. NDSU. 20 May 2008 .
