How far would you go in order to save a loved one from dying from, what is now, a treatable disease? In today's world, our scientific discoveries have taken us far enough to be able to prevent inherited diseases that people are born with as a result of their gene makeup. Genetic engineering is the application of knowledge gained from genetic investigations to the solution of such problems as infertility, diseases, food production and improvement of a species. Genetic engineering is inherently controversial because it involves the scientific manipulation of life on a very basic level. The general public, and some scientists, as a result of the religious and moral issue at hand, have expressed their concerns and have been requesting further guidelines for genetic enhancement so that everyone will be under the same stand point. Genetic enhancement should be legal in all states in order to ensure enhancement of genes to aid in the prevention of diseases. This statement clearly leaves out many controversial issues such as cloning and "designer" babies, but as technology grows, maybe so will society and their views. At this time it is important to separate enhancement from designing because one has the chance to save lives and prevent diseases. .
Who is playing God in today's society? Many feel that it isn't the same person that the Christian religion worships, but scientists who change quality and quantity of life. In looking at this issue it is imperative that people, as Dr. Gelder of Stanford says, "look at what pills and powders they ingest before deciding that scientists play a too eminent role in today's world" (Gelder 1). In retrospect, a doctor's sole goal in any sort of practice should be to uphold the Hippocratic Oath that he or she swore to follow before reaching for his or her diploma. In it the oath states that the goal of practitioners is to "use the application of knowledge in order to serve patients with the highest form of treatment available.
