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  • Essay / The Problem of Genetic Enhancement - 1975

    In 1913, Teddy Roosevelt, who is considered one of the greatest American presidents to ever hold office, wrote to the Department of Genetics: “Society does not must not allow degenerates to reproduce. their species [...]. The problem can only be solved if we take fully into account the immense influence of heredity…” (Dykes, 2008, p. 1). What Teddy Roosevelt was referring to was the idea of ​​increasing the human population. Today, genetic enhancement is specifically associated with technology, but throughout history, genetic enhancement has been a very popular but controversial topic. This dates back to ancient times, when men chose wives who they believed would produce the best offspring. Genetic enhancement then became extremely popular in the 19th century, when Charles Darwin introduced the idea of ​​natural selection and eugenics to society. And today it is taking new steps, where technology is introduced with genetic improvement. With this new technology, scientists and ethicists are struggling to find an answer as to whether or not this new and growing genetic enhancement technology should be allowed. We, the society, must analyze the situation very carefully and ask ourselves whether genetic enhancement should be allowed in society or not? Genetic enhancement is very similar to genetic engineering. But many ethicists believe that genetic engineering is necessary, while genetic enhancement is not. GE is the process by which parents choose certain traits for their offspring (children). It starts with parents telling the doctor what traits they would like to see applied to their child, eye color, height, intelligence, etc. Then the doctor would take over the embryo from the woman's parties and insert the details..... . middle of paper ...... company. The company would open a Pandora's box using genetic enhancement. Francis Fukuyama (2004), professor of international political economy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, urges society to consider humility when it comes to genetic improvement: "If we don't develop it (humility) soon , we could unintentionally invite transhumanists. (GE) to disfigure humanity with their genetic bulldozers and psychotropic shopping malls (p. 2). How we respond to upcoming events and policies regarding genetic enhancement in the future will forever change our lives. If we do not act accordingly, society as we know it could be devalued as Francis Fukuyama suggested. Genetic improvement will result in no biodiversity and will end our long and prosperous phases of evolution. Would you like to leave this turmoil to future generations?