Ethics & Genetic

Engineering
Genetic engineering is nothing but the
technology by means of which genetic
material is scientifically engineered to
replicate the original genetic material in
living organism be it plants, animals or even
human beings.
Genetic engineering involves creation of
recombinant DNA by cutting up DNA
molecules and splicing together fragments
from similar or dissimilar organisms.

Genetic engineering is the collection of techniques

 THE ETHICS OF GENETIC
ENGINEERING
• 20th was a golden age of computing, the
21st century is the DNA age.
• Verge of being able to transform,
manipulate, and create organisms for any
number of productive purposes.
• E.g. medicine, to agriculture, to
construction and even computing, we are
within reach of an age when manipulating
the genetic codes of various organisms, or
engineering entirely new organisms,
promises to alter the way we relate to the
natural world.
 THE ETHICS OF GENETIC
ENGINEERING cont…
• Genetic engineering has the
potential to improve our health and
well-being dramatically, revolutionize
our manner of living, help us to
conserve limited resources, and
produce new wealth.
 Ethical Concerns
Objections to Genetic Engineering as
Inherently Wrong.
• Some people object to any tinkering
with the genetic codes of humans, or
even of any life form.
• Some religious critics perceive genetic
engineering as “playing God”.
• Other objectors argue from secular
principles, who claims that it violates
the inherent “dignity” of humans.
 Ethical Concerns
• Religious objections assume the
existence of some creator whose will
is defied by genetic engineering, and
secular objections assume that life in
its “natural” state, unaltered by
human intention, is inviolable
because of its inherent dignity.
 Ethical Concerns
– Religious objections to genetic
engineering.

– Secular objections to genetic

engineering.
4. Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome (Self
Mutilation)
 Ethical Concerns
• The biggest ethical issue in genetic
engineering is about the concern over
creating living creatures out of genetic
material. Human cloning or even crossing
animal and human genes to create living
creatures will lead to the emergence of a
different type of creatures.
• Genetic engineering for creation of life forms
is similar to ‘playing God’ and taking control
of creation and destruction of life on earth.
• Genetic engineering to cure diseases and
health conditions is a great benefit, the
possibilities of its misuse are plenty.
THANK
YOU