Human genetic engineering
From Freepedia
Human genetic engineering deals with the modification of a human being through the modification of the genetic structure. These changes are usually carried out by taking a trait from one species, whether animal, plant, etc., and transferring them into another species; in this case, a human.
This research is usually performed to study gene expression and various human diseases. Some drastic demonstrations of gene modification have been made with mice and other animals, however: a mouse with an 'ear' on its back, glow in the dark mice, etc. have been created (although mostly as a PR/"see if they could actually do it" type effort). Testing on humans is generally considered off-limits.
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Applications
Curing medical conditions
When treating problems that arise from genetic disorder, one solution is gene therapy. A genetic disorder is a situation where some genes are missing or faulty. When this happens, genes may be expressed in unfavorable ways or not at all, and this generally leads to further complicatons.
The idea of gene therapy is that a non-pathogenic virus or other delivery system can be used to insert a piece of DNA--a good copy of the gene--into cells of the living individual. The modified cells would divide as normal and each division would produce cells that express the desired trait. The result would be that he/she would then have the ability to express the trait that was previously absent at least partially. This form of genetic engineering could help alleviate many problems, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or other diseases that involve genetic defects.
Adapting humans to new specifications
Genetic engineering to drastically change people's genomes could enable people to regrow limbs, the spine, the brain. It could also be used to make people stronger, faster, smarter, or to increase the capacity of the lungs, among other things. If a gene exists in nature, it could be brought over to a human cell.
Positive reasoning
Genetic engineering could bring a number of improvements to our race. The human race would be able to adapt and survive in more environments and situations than currently possible. For example, humans can't breathe the atmosphere on Mars, nor live in the sea; genetically engineered people, theoretically, ould. Populating areas currently impossible without external technology would no longer be close to as difficult.
GE is good for you.
Chimeras
A chimera has at least two different populations of cells, which are genetically distinct and which originated in different zygotes (fertilized eggs). In the case of a human-animal chimera, an extensively chimeric person or creature could pose difficult legal problems concerning their classification.
The Chimera in mythology is a three part creature, with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the legs of a dragon.
The novel The Island of Dr. Moreau could be considered an example of human-animal chimeras in fiction (the actual method used is unclear).
The process
First, the ability that you want to carry over has to be isolated. If, for instance, you want to be able to regrow almost everything, you have to find a creature that can do this, such as the newt. Then, after isolating the genes that make this happen, you either find what changes you make to your body so that it can carry out this process with fewer changes, or you transfer that whole block of genes and isolate it.
Then, with whatever technique is available, it enters the human body and invades the host cells, inserting itself directly into the genes of that cell.
When to make changes
Changes at conception
Genetic engineering is most easily accomplished by making changes just after the egg and sperm have melded but before first division. In this way, the gene will be expressed throughout with few worries that it did not reach the whole body.
Effects to the germline
There is some controversy about whether genetic changes should be allowed to affect the germline. Affecting the germline means that not only do you, or whoever the genetic engineering was done to, have the changes, but all children conceived after the engineering, and so on, as well.
Changes after conception
Changes after conception, whether child or adult, is often a more desired form of genetic engineering. These changes would ideally take effect, and give the desired outcomes with no side effects. However, there is greater difficulty in reaching the correct parts of the body or the whole body as desired. Genetic engineering is bad
Considerations
Interference from laws and politics
Due to tough regulatory laws, research in this field have been stifled to a bare minimum. Experiments with approval were being carried out on people with a variety of diseases, and the experiments tried to insert genes and correct their diseases. However, one person treated died, and furthur research had been cancelled on most if not all projects.
Ethical considerations
- We could choose to have changes made to us, but we might also be making the choice for our children if the changes are carried through to the germline. Do we have that right, and how far should we take our ability?
- If genetic engineering became the way of the future, would people whose parents could not afford to genetically 'modify' them while still in an embryo, have a chance of achieving with high standards compared to the people who were 'modified' to be perfect?
Social considerations
- Would society treat genetic engineered people differently, either to a higher or lower standard? What would happen to society that would not change over.
- Would they be left behind, would they be considered second class humans?
- What if this created a different species of human, would they still be able to interbreed, would they want to?
- What place would genetically engineered humans and regular humans have in society?
- Is it ethical to experiment on embryos that have yet to be born?
Spiritual considerations
- What would your religious beliefs say about engineered people? Would they be something to be feared, or a gift from god?
Examples
Examples in fiction of genetically engineered humans:
Movies
Alien: Resurrection: Ripley is alive in the future, she has been recreated from a gene sample and the queen larva with her. However, the researchers did not expect to find any great mutations in Ripley.
Blade Runner: Humans that were engineered to work in very hostile environments come to earth and have to be hunted down.
Gattaca: A child conceived naturally grows up being treated as a second class citizen. However, he takes on the identity of a genetically engineered conceived person and proves that there are no limit when will leads the way.
Soldier: Todd
Resident Evil: Apocalypse: A virus infects Alice. In Resident Evil 2, her body melds with the virus. This accelerates her development, giving her super strength, speed, reaction time, ability to heal, as well as the ability to recover from death.
The Island of Dr. Moreau: Dr. Moreau has been experimenting on animals and creating human like animals.
Headline text
LIPSTICK PIG
Books
Lost Paradise: Due to accidental involvement with a client, an old man has to take a trip to another world. He enlists as a mercenary to fight for a Japanese colonization group alongside humans and engineered humans. In this sci-fi universe, a new breed of humans were created in Sourth America that are smarter, faster, stronger, and more survivable in general. These people are looked down upon and treated worse than animals, with little or no protection given by most governments.
