The Best Way to Handle Genetic Engineering and Cloning - Part II

J. Alden Page April 12, 2008 Science, Society 11 Comments

 Below I’ve described possible solutions to the problems with genetic engineering and cloning that were discussed in Part I.

Solutions to problems with genetic engineering:

1.Risk of eliminating diversity.

Random mutations could be induced for all, or a certain percentage of the population. This could be a safety net against people with a certain gene being wiped out. People with a mutation in this gene could be immune to a provirus, or have a slightly altered phenotype. As most mutations are silent, this wouldn’t lead to any disadvantages for the majority of the population. Although, a small number of people would be left at a disadvantage. On the flipside of the coin, it could lead to new discoveries about what gives individuals an advantage.

2. Increased Lifespan.

Exploration into space might eliminate resource problems. Although until this becomes a practical avenue, extended life would further stress our limited resources. Would extended life slow progression? Just like with anything else that we invent, genetic engineering would probably be progressive. Newer designs would probably be superior to older designs. As such, long lived individuals might not be as overbearing to new generations as they would be otherwise. If resources are not an issue, I do not think this will be a problem.

3.Losing our humanity.

Humans are destined to change. Even without genetic engineering, sexual reproduction naturally leads to genetic drift. Ironically, if we did want to remain unchanged, it would have to be done through genetic engineering and/or cloning. However, this solution is not a good one.

Our survival depends on improving and multiplying. This is true for all living things. Can you think of a life form that doesn’t reproduce? No. That’s because any species that didn’t continuously change and multiply would die off quickly. We should embrace change instead of trying to stop it.

Solutions to problems with cloning:

1.Identity issues.

Currently, cloning an adult involves creating an embryo that is genetically identical to a parent. In this case, they should be viewed as different individuals since the environment plays a large role in shaping who we are. Things would become more complicated if we had the ability to make an adult into identical adults. If both beings have the same genes and experiences, are they the same person? They would be, until they had different experiences. Since two people cannot occupy the same space, the instant the clone is created it would have different experiences from the person it was created from.

Do you punish multiple people for a crime one person committed?

The purpose of punishment should never be revenge. Punishment is a tool that can be used to prevent crimes from happening.  As such, I think punishment should depend on two things. 1. Whether or not the clone needs to be prevented from commiting crimes in the future.  2. The importancce of setting a precedent that criminals not be cloned. The degree to which these factors come into play depend on how the society is built. Because of this it is not practical to say what should be done

There are many other legal issues that would come up with cloning.  However, I have confidence that society will be able to find solutions to these issues.

2.Diversity.

Cloning would only decrease the number of different genes floating around, if it was being used to the exclusion of creating new individuals.  Some people probably would create clones of themselves instead of creating new children.  These people would be at a disadvantage to the rest of the improving community.  Basically, I think this problem would fix itself. Clones would be competing for the same niches, and keeping the same clones over multiple generations would put the clones at a disadvantage. Because of this, I think cloning would be unpopular enough not to be a risk.

I think the problems involved with cloning and genetic engineering can be avoided, but doing so will require careful planning.  The implications of tampering with ourselves are huge.  We need to move cautiously, and try to have as much foresight as possible.

The Best Way to Handle Genetic Engineering and Cloning - Part I

J. Alden Page April 5, 2008 Science, Society 1 Comment

We’ve already cloned and genetically engineered animals. Scientists are just waiting for a greenlight, so that they can apply this science to humans. In some ways it’s even a stretch to say they are waiting. We have already cloned human embryos, which would grow up to be clones if we let them. There have also been numerous claims about humans who have already been cloned, but so far these claims have all been pretty sketchy. In the genetic engineering realm, we are already curing genetic diseases.

Should we be cloning and genetically engineering humans? If so, what should the limitations be?

Before answering this, it’s important to analyze the benefits and problems of each.  These lists are what I consider the three most important important pros and cons.

Pros of Genetic Engineering:

1.Curing genetic disorders. Autism, heart problems, and cystic fibrosis could all be eliminated.
2.Enhancement. Making people smarter, stronger, healthier, and increasing lifespan.
3. Filling societies niches. Creating humans to fulfill specific purposes(geniuses, athletes, politicians, or even content slaves)

Cons of Genetic Engineering:

1.Risk of eliminating diversity. Sexual reproduction results in random changes that increase diversity. Curing genetic disorders and enhancement could severely reduce the frequency of these random changes. Nature continuously proves that diversity is necessary for survival.
2.Increasing lifespan.  This could lead to resource problems, and long life might even slow down societies progression. Younger people are usually more willing to accept new ideas, and move forward with those ideas. If people lived to be 3000, it might be much harder for a 30-year-old to be at the top of their field.
3.Losing our humanity. This is something I think many people are concerned about, but that few address. Humans create, fight and explore. Since we probably aren’t optimized for any of these tasks, specialization could lead to humans becoming somewhat useless.

Pros of Cloning:

1.Life extension. You could clone copies of your organs. You might even be able to clone an entire body, so that you can move into it when your current one starts giving out.
2.Research. Clone a copy of a popular actor, or a copy of someone who is unique for any medical reason.
3.Niche filling. If someone is exceptionally good at something, clone a couple hundred of them. Imagine a basketball team full of Michael Jordans, or a team of Einsteins trying to solve physics problems.

Cons of Cloning:

1.As discussed earlier, life extension could lead to problems with resources and moving forward as a society.
2.Identity issues. Are all five hundred clones the same person? Who gets your parents inheritance? If you kill someone, and then clone yourself … There are many legal situations which could become ridiculous.
3. Diversity. Creating copies of people too often would be detrimental too diversity.

How can the cons be avoided while keeping the pros? I posted a follow up discussion to address this question.