(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Eliminating Blindness Through Germ-line Eugenics

            With the new technological advances newer ethical dilemmas inevitably occur. Germ-line therapy is a new technology that is giving scientist the ability to alter the genetic code of germ cells (sperm, and eggs). This could give scientists complete control over the genetic makeup of an individual. The ethical dilemmas occur with how much control they will take. Scientists could try to alter or replace only genes that are detrimental to the future child's health, or they could go as far as to control genes that affect hair and eye color in the child. Many people agree that eliminating terminal diseases could be beneficial, but others argue that controlling aspects of a person's genetics could lead to a form of negative eugenics that would alter social structure forever. Harold Lucas argues that they have the opportunity to eliminate blindness by using germ-line therapy, and that they should do so because "many blind people have a hard time in our society". (1) There is a significant difference between having a terminal genetic disease and a disorder like blindness. Germ-line therapy could create moral justice by giving children who would otherwise be blind an open future, but it is unclear if blindness is really detrimental enough to individuals to be removed from the gene pool. At the current time germ-line therapy used to eradicate blindness is not morally acceptable because the risks involved with procedures are high, there is a potential for moral injustices toward blind people, a slippery slope into eugenics would become almost unavoidable, and there are many acceptable methods to create sighted children already available. .
             One of the most obvious benefits of eliminating blindness would be giving children with blindness-causing genes an open future. They would not have to worry about being disadvantaged with blindness. A child who is born blind will never have the option to have sight some day.


Essays Related to Eliminating Blindness Through Germ-line Eugenics

1. Eugenics

Today, eugenics is becoming more hi-tech. Francis Galton coined the term eugenics in 1883. ... The law encompassed the "feebleminded, insane, criminalistic, epileptic, inebriate, diseased, blind, deaf; deformed; and dependent" - including "orphans, ne"er-do-wells, tramps, the homeless and paupers." ... Though forced sterilization continued through mid 1970, the American mindset was changing from controlling others to controlling their own families. ... In this novel, Huxley writes about a civilization that has evolved into a perfect world through the use of eugenics. ...

  • Word Count: 1897
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Eugenics in the United States

Sir Galton attempted to figure out how it was that "genius" seemed to be running through his family; he attempted to prove that it was genetic. ... The definition in Webster's New World Dictionary says "eugenics: (n) the movement devoted to improving the human species through the control of hereditary factors in mating." ... An example of individual eugenics would be the particular couple who chooses to go through the abortion. ... But President Franklin Delano Roosevelt put a stop to this through his policies (Soft on Facism). ... And, in the United States, there has been a conscious...

  • Word Count: 1911
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Human Germline Enhancement

In other words, human germline enhancement. ... I [pause] am talking about human germline enhancement and why I am against it. ... It is through natural selection or Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest that made us what we are today. ... Then through our natural genetic diversity some people will still have that particular trait and be able to survive. ... Human germline enhancement is certainly not the way to improve humans. ...

  • Word Count: 729
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Gene Modification

Some people look forward to the time when genetic diseases might be treated by gene therapy, and by "fixing" the gene in germ cells, the deleterious gene could be eliminated from the subsequent generations, as well. ... Germline gene therapy would seek to eliminate the "bad" genes from the population. ... The arguement pro germline gene modification The argument for germline gene modification comes from Nelson A. ... Type 2 genetic intervention involves the correction or prevention of genetic deficiencies through the transfer of properly functioning genes into reproductive cells. ... T...

  • Word Count: 1720
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. Genetic Engineering: Issue or Solution?

Scientists are yet to discover how to fix specific DNA strands to eliminate genetic diseases, such as Cystic Fibrosis and Huntington's disease (Pearce). ... Eliminating illness and future diseases in an unborn is critical to ensure that the baby grows up healthy. In the article Scientific American explains how scientists should be allowed to research with basic human germline. ... This idea of designer babies is one of the most controversial counter-arguments as this may lead to eugenics. In an article Wayne Perry explains how eugenics were an idea that uses selective breeding to help imp...

  • Word Count: 1111
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography

6. Eugenics

Sir Francis Galton, cousin of Charles Darwin coined the word Eugenics, in 1883. ... Thus, he became the "father" of the field of Eugenics. ... Eugenics had roots that preceded recorded history: the idea of selective breeding. ... Elements of the American eugenics movement were models for the Nazis, whose adaptation of eugenics culminated in the Holocaust. ... During the first two decades of the 20th century, 600,000-1,250,000 immigrants per year entered the country through Ellis Island (except during World War I). ...

  • Word Count: 1062
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Social Darwinism and Eugenics

Social Darwinism and Eugenics of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are often seen as theories based on scientific knowledge. ... While eugenics was often loosely based on scientific theory, social Darwinism was not at all. ... " Although Eugenics may have been loosely based on scientific theory it in itself was not a scientific theory. Eugenics seems to have been a group of people using at times shaky genetics to spread fear and oppression of the lower classes. ... Spencer did make an impact in the United States though, as evident through the writings of the Social Scienc...

  • Word Count: 3313
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Eugenics, America and the Nazis

Eugenics reflects social and political ideas rather than scientific ones. ... During the eugenics movement, "Eugenics was, quite literally, an effort to breed better human beings – by encouraging the reproduction of people with "good" genes and discouraging those with "bad" genes" (Eugenics Movement Archive). ... It has always been in the farmers' best interest to produce better livestock through a selective breeding process designed to weed out any unwanted traits from the animals under their care over time. ... Eugenics movements were not only taking place in such extrem...

  • Word Count: 1208
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Ethics in Science

The only real way to find out how these techniques of gene therapy will work is through extensive testing and experimentation. ... All of the current trials and methods have been that of somatic gene therapy, but there lies another method in which genes are "repaired" prior to the birth of the person through germline gene therapy. ... This procedure proves helpful in eliminating a disease for generations to come, but is this a good thing? ... The eradication of a disease with germline would eventually result in a disease free world. ... The elimination of diseases could also result in the ...

  • Word Count: 1320
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question