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Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering. Kinds of genetic manipulation. Breeding Pre-implantation selection of embryos Direct gene manipulation recombinant DNA technology genetic modification/manipulation (GM) gene splicing . Somatic vs. Germline Engineering. Somatic genetic engineering Gene therapy

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Genetic Engineering

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  1. Genetic Engineering

  2. Kinds of genetic manipulation • Breeding • Pre-implantation selection of embryos • Direct gene manipulation • recombinant DNA technology • genetic modification/manipulation (GM) • gene splicing

  3. Somatic vs. Germline Engineering • Somatic genetic engineering • Gene therapy • Affects adult cells • Not inheritable • Germline genetic engineering • Changing genes in eggs, sperm or early embryos • Affects unborn baby • Inheritable

  4. Negative vs. Positive Engineering • Negative engineering (cures and treatment) • Cystic fibrosis • Diabetes • Autism • Spinabifida • Etc. • Positive engineering (enhancement) • Intelligence • Health • Strength • Appearance • Longevity

  5. Non-human Genetic Engineering Benefits: Medical: engineering beneficial bacteria/viruses engineering better animal test subjects better vaccines Agricultural: plants/animals with better disease resistance plants/animals that grow bigger, faster or more efficiently Other: animals that are faster, fish that are prettier, roses that smell sweeter, etc.

  6. Non-human genetic engineering (cont.) Concerns: Messing with nature Permanently changing genomes Loss of diversity Fear of unexpected consequences

  7. Human genetic engineering Benefits • Selecting against genetic diseases and disorders • Making people healthier, stronger, smarter, more attractive, etc. • Giving parents choices

  8. Human genetic engineering Concerns: Same as for non-human genetic engineering plus: Altering the history of the human race Reducing human diversity Playing God Choosing among possible people Treating people as means, not ends Treating children as commodities Slippery slope Division of society into “haves” and “have nots” • The “naturals” and the “GenRich”

  9. Cloning • Creating an exact genetic replica • Natural cloning • Asexual reproduction • Identical twins • Identical genes identical organism

  10. Artificial cloning • 1952: first cloned vertebrate -- frog • 1986: first cloned mammal – mouse (from embryonic cells) • 1996: first cloned mammal from an adult cell -- Dolly the Sheep • Since 1996: cow, cat, dog, horse, water buffalo, camel

  11. Human reproductive cloning Creating a baby that is genetically identical to an adult human • Benefits: • Treatment for infertility • Creating a child for the medical benefit of another, e.g. a bone marrow donor for a sick sibling • Parental choice?

  12. Human reproductive cloning Objections: 1) Safety concerns 2) Human individuality and autonomy 3) Complex family relationships 4) Undermining human diversity 5) Human dignity (using a person as a means)

  13. Readings Required: G. Hardin, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” Science 162 (1968), pp. 1243-1248, available at: http://dieoff.org/page95.htm Guha, Ramachandra, “Radical American Environmentalism and Wilderness Preservation: A Third World Critique” in Environmental Ethics, Vol. 11, No.1 (Spring 1989), pp. 71-83, available at: http://research.rem.sfu.ca/downloads/REM-656/Guha_1989.pdf Optional: Goodpaster, Kenneth, “On Being Morally Considerable”, in Environmental Philosophy, pp. 49-65, available on reserve at the Philosophy Office

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