Humans are transfixed with the prospect of advancement; ever since Galileo's discovery of scientific proof, the world has moved at a feverish pitch down the path of progression. While most of man's inventions and discoveries have been beneficial for perpetuating the human species, contemporary society is now teetering on a dangerous precipice of possessing too much knowledge, a line that if crossed can actually threaten global survival.
Immense controversy over clon-ing has beckoned the need for greater ethical measures when messing with genetics; that living beings can be brought into existence with DNA engineering is a concept that catapults humanity far beyond the scope of acceptable behavior.
Just Because We Can...
Joseph C. Pitt's book Galileo, Human Knowledge, and the Book of Nature: Method Replaces Metaphysics illustrates how knowledge is power; to abuse that power is to overrule man's intrinsic relationship with the universe. Galileo's discovery instigated a chain of events that even the great philosopher could never conceive; as today's scientific community hovers over the edge of molecular manipulation for alleged global benefit, the entire world is looking on with a combination of fascination and horror. "In Galileo, knowledge lost its speculative character. The world became predictable, and therefore manipulable."
The option for genetic engineering takes this scenario a step further with couples using in vitro fertilization (IVF). Beyond the benefit of prenatal screening for genetic diseases such as Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 21 and 13, Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington Disease and a whole host of other problems, parents are also invited to choose other elective characteristics. When this choice is based solely upon selective breeding, the otherwise blurred line of genetic tampering suddenly comes into sharp focus.
Invisible Monster Under the Bed
How is anyone to know the far-reaching consequences of such monumental meddling? Will there eventually be a definitive way to foretell what undesirable mutations may occur before they actually happen? Scientist VJ Ehlers, who understands the vital role science plays in human evolution, also recognizes that "while the possibilities of scientific experimentation may seem limitless, there are times when society -- through the governmental process -- can and should place limits on scientific experimentation."
David Bender, whose book Biomedical Ethics provides further insight into the danger of unchecked knowledge, points out that while an initial discovery may drive species progression, the more important disclosure is what concealed consequences are inherent to such genetic trespassing. Andrew Revkin asks the question all of us want to know: "There are two durable camps out there, those who warn that humanity has overshot and is destined to crash, like Wile E. Coyote over the cliff, and those who insist that the human traits of innovation and adaptation will get us through. Who's right?"
Just Because We Can...
Joseph C. Pitt's book Galileo, Human Knowledge, and the Book of Nature: Method Replaces Metaphysics illustrates how knowledge is power; to abuse that power is to overrule man's intrinsic relationship with the universe. Galileo's discovery instigated a chain of events that even the great philosopher could never conceive; as today's scientific community hovers over the edge of molecular manipulation for alleged global benefit, the entire world is looking on with a combination of fascination and horror. "In Galileo, knowledge lost its speculative character. The world became predictable, and therefore manipulable."
The option for genetic engineering takes this scenario a step further with couples using in vitro fertilization (IVF). Beyond the benefit of prenatal screening for genetic diseases such as Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 21 and 13, Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington Disease and a whole host of other problems, parents are also invited to choose other elective characteristics. When this choice is based solely upon selective breeding, the otherwise blurred line of genetic tampering suddenly comes into sharp focus. Invisible Monster Under the Bed
How is anyone to know the far-reaching consequences of such monumental meddling? Will there eventually be a definitive way to foretell what undesirable mutations may occur before they actually happen? Scientist VJ Ehlers, who understands the vital role science plays in human evolution, also recognizes that "while the possibilities of scientific experimentation may seem limitless, there are times when society -- through the governmental process -- can and should place limits on scientific experimentation."
David Bender, whose book Biomedical Ethics provides further insight into the danger of unchecked knowledge, points out that while an initial discovery may drive species progression, the more important disclosure is what concealed consequences are inherent to such genetic trespassing. Andrew Revkin asks the question all of us want to know: "There are two durable camps out there, those who warn that humanity has overshot and is destined to crash, like Wile E. Coyote over the cliff, and those who insist that the human traits of innovation and adaptation will get us through. Who's right?"
No comments:
Post a Comment