by Mr. Hans

Created on: September 23, 2007

With the recent breakthroughs and advances in DNA research and unprecedented progress being made such as in the completion of the Human Genome Project, the possibilities of genetically modifying humans becoming startlingly real, and we find ourselves in a situation of conflict between ethnic values and scientific progress. What are the moral implications of genetic engineering such as cloning and the possible associated negative impacts? Yet, looking beyond this, can we ignore the seemingly infinite possibilities it opens up, and the countless, innumerable amount of lives it can potentially save or improve? Genetic engineering, cloning, and the associated sciences are no longer a part of science-fiction or fantasy: the possibilities are already here, what's left is how we shall deal with it.

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule carrying genetic information in all living systems, and thus can be considered the building blocks of life itself. Mastering it translates to the exciting, yet frightening, possibility of changing almost everything in the human body up to a molecular level. It is perhaps, the classic example of Man playing God himself.

With the continued progress and research into the genetic field, we may soon face the prospect of "designer babies". It is inevitable that when the technology becomes available to us, millions will cry out for the use of genetic engineering to either cure babies from genetic diseases or perhaps prevent certain hereditary illnesses such as autism and cancers from being passed on. Yet, when we start genetically modifying our offspring for the initial noble purposes, where do we draw the line? Other trends will soon naturally follow, such as perhaps genetically modifying babies to be taller, slimmer, with colored eyes, or simply whatever society dictates how a person should ideally look. Suddenly the idea of having entire populations looking identical, with everyone's appearances depending on the current fashion, trend, or even fad of that period, becomes too close for comfort. One should also note that such behavior emulates the Nazi's quest of eugenics more than anything else.

Or perhaps consider the prospect of black market "human farms", where genetically modified cloned humans are bred and raised to create the perfect organs produced to satisfy demand in the already thriving human organs market. "Celebrity brothels" are another ominous possibility, where the DNA of well-known models or famous personalities can

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