Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Genetic enhancement
humankind healing and redesigning itself
We embrace technologies that tame and harness nature because we
think they improve our lives, and we will accept or reject human ge-
netic manipulation on the same grounds.
—Gregory stock,
Redesigning Humans: Our Inevitable Genetic Future
michelangelo did a wonderful thing when he sculpted the
David
(fig. 6.1).
This single creation embodies the confidence, courage, and creative poten-
tial of renaissance florence and of humankind today. michelangelo's chis-
els are now
genes,
and humans are simultaneously the artist and the block
of stone. in the decades ahead, we will override
natural selection
and sculpt
our genomes. According to what? our own best judgment? What gives us
pleasure? What sells best?
in this chapter we explore how humankind can direct its future evo-
lution and what choices, promises, and perils lie ahead. These questions
guide our explorations:
1. What is
genetic engineering?
2. What are the different types of human genetic engineering?
3. What human genetic engineering is already performed?
4. how might humans genetically alter themselves in the future?
5. What does the public think about genetically engineering humans?
6. is human genetic engineering safe?
7. At what point does gene therapy become genetic enhancement?
8. is it morally wrong to tamper with the human genome?
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