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Malli Fowler
UWRT 1102
Connie Douglas
30 March 2017
The idea of genetically engineering an embryo has been hidden in the distance for so
long, except for now. As technology is advancing and medical diseases are rising, the use for this
technology is present in the world. Though this technology is banned in almost every country
and has strict regulations in some, researchers and scientist are asking the world to lift the ban so
more intensive research can be done so we can use the benefits of this technology to cure
diseases in an embryo. Doctors around the world have spoken up about the destructive
technology and have made an overall decision that the technology is too risky for humans. While
some doctors say the technology could cure a disease, they wouldn't want to risk damaging the
embryo further. The victims of these genetic diseases want help, but many will not resort to
genetic engineering because it go against their religious beliefs. Although, some religions look at
Sheikh Tijani Musa, Head of Islamic education in Jamaica believes that genetic
engineering on humans is acceptable in their religion because the technology does not interfere
with the concept of marriage. "In Islam, the principle is that the female and male have to be
married before they do what they want to do, and it has to be through the husband's sperm, not
from anything else. If the technology wants to help them, Islam will not say anything to that.
Islam allows us to use our brain or knowledge, as long as it does not contradict the principle of
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Islam (which is that) the male and female are to firstly be under the married act. It has to be after
the marriage, and the egg from the wife (Musa). Sheikh Tijani Musa speaks on behalf of his
religion by stating using this technology does not contradict any principles of Islam. He also
states that "God is the only one who can make the child - rich or poor, long life, short life, good
or bad. As long as they don't put any other sperm or anything to come to the mother, Islam will
not have a problem with that." (Musa). On the contrary, Reverend Father Kenneth Richards,
rector at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston and Ainsley
Henriques, director and honorary secretary of the United Congregation of Israelites says that
their religion has different views on the situation. Father Richard expresses that the whole
interference of the reproductive process with respect to trying to select the end product is
immoral and not respected under his faith. He also states that They are trying to assume the
responsibility of the Creator, and so the church would disapprove of that kind of intervention
(Richards). Ainsley Henriques expresses that in terms of modifying a human being to be, won't
be supported under the Jewish faith. He also states that People who used the technology were
interfering in the 'natural order' of the reproductive process. Basically, what we are doing is
interfering with the natural selection that would normally take place when two people come
together for the purpose of procreation (Henriques). Each religion has a different view on
The medical world views genetic engineering on embryos based on safety and
precautions. Dr. Francis Fukuyama of Johns Hopkins University and Oxford professor Julian
Savulescu agree that the technology is too risky for experimental use and not safe for humans.
This technology is not FDA approved and can lead to unpredictable results. This technology is
too far off for secure medical use, the effects could be destructive to the embryo (Fukuyama).
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Doctors around the world agree that genetic engineering on embryos is not safe. This
technology can be useful in specific medical situations but should not be used for recreational
use (Savulescu). Professor Julian Savulescu argues that in certain situation, genetic engineering
might be the only possibly option for children with genetic diseases but this technology should
Scientists view on genetic engineering on humans is focused around the research needed
for advancements. George Church, a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School has a
strong view on the lack of researcher due to the FDAs regulations. The FDA bans all medical
technology from clinical use until proven safe and effective relative to its alternatives. Tests must
show promise in human cells, animals, and small phase 1 clinicals before the FDA will
ultimately approve it for larger trials and general use and society should not discourage the the
usual path for approval by adding an extra ban on top of the normal restrictions. (Church).
Edward Lanphier who works for the DNA editing company Sangamo Therapeutics says that the
technology needs to be researched so we can use the benefits. Technology is meant to grow and
advance, the FDA needs to lift the ban off the regulations (Lanphier). The scientific view on
genetic engineering on embryos is solely based off what scientific discoveries could be made if
There are many different views on designer babies that go beyond religious, medical, and
scientific. Society factors in ethical issues and political issues on this technology as well. The
religious view can vary depending on religion and a persons personal faith. Medical views can
change depending on the doctor and the circumstance. The scientific view depends on the
development of research which at the moment is on hold due to the regulations. I think society
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needs to think about how genetic engineering on humans could benefit the medical world, but in
order to do that, we need the regulations lifted so scientist can start researching.
Works Cited
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Henriques, Ainsley. "Religious Community Divided over 'designer Babies' - News." Jamaica
Lanphier, Edward. "Edward Lanphier | The Buck Institute for Research on Aging." Edward
Lanphier | The Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Buck Institute, n.d. Web. 29
Mar. 2017.
Musa, Sheikh Tijani. "Religious Community Divided over 'designer Babies' - News." Jamaica
Outlaw, Greg. "What Is a Christian?" AllAboutGOD.com. All About GOD Ministries, 1 Mar.
Richards, Kenneth Reverend. "Religious Community Divided over 'designer Babies' - News."
Who's Afraid of Designer Babies? The Ethics of Genetic Screening. Films Media Group, 2004,
fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=149262&xtid=36105. Accessed 27
Feb. 2017.