Genetic Engineering Flashcards
What is somatic cell gene therapy and what is it used for?
Definition – modifying the genes of a particular person without affecting the next generation
Retro viruses have been used to insert functioning genes into defective bone-marrow
Diabetes suffers can be given gene therapy to control production of insulin
Potentially, a self-destruct gene could be added to cancer cells to provide a cure
What are the concerns with somatic cell gene therapy?
Very few really, except where people have misunderstood what is happening
Some people complain about this being ‘unnatural’ and doctors ‘playing God’ – just as they did when blood transfusions and organ transplants were first introduced
While it is still new, there will of course be unknown risks to some individuals and false hope to others, but the long-term consequences should easily outweigh these
What is germ-line therapy and what are its uses?
Definition – making changes to the reproductive cells that will affect future generations
Could be used to eradicate any inherited disease
For example, Down’s Syndrome. Haemophilia, Huntingdon’s etc. etc.
What did Bernard Hoose say about germ-line therapy?
Bernard Hoose said that we should first: 1. Study somatic cell therapies for years to see the indirect effects of genetic changes; 2. Study the effects of germ-line changes in animals; 3. Secure widespread public approval, as this will affect future generations as yet unborn
What are the concerns of germ-line therapy?
Germ-line changes will affect large numbers of future generations, so any mistakes could have disastrous effects
You could make people susceptible to viruses that have only affected animals in the past
The risks are unknown, potentially huge and possibly irreversible
There is also the problem of discrimination of minority groups because of reduced numbers and seeing a disability as a defect – see Eugenics below
Reduces the variety in the human gene pool
What is enhancement genetic engineering and what is it used for?
Definition – using gene therapy to improve a person rather than rectifying defects
It’s hard to say when a genetic trait is a defect – is correcting bad eyesight an ‘enhancement’?
Could be used to make ‘designer babies’ as in the film ‘Gattaca’
What are the concerns of enhancement genetic engineering?
This is unnecessary, therefore not worth any risk
You might argue that germ-line gene therapy restores our natural design – no such defence is possible for enhancements (although you could argue that evolution is natural)
Driven by companies trying to make money, not improve humanity
Humans are a poor judge of what constitutes ‘improvement’ (we would be design more Peter Andres and Jordans rather than Mother Teresas and Martin Luther Kings)
Could lead to more diversity in human gene pool (but probably wouldn’t)
These techniques would be available to the rich, widening the gap between rich and poor
Reduces the worth of humans and replaces God as creator
What is Eugenic genetic engineering?
Definition – using germ-line therapy to create a better ‘race’ of people
Some people already think we are performing eugenics with screening for Down’s Syndrome
Eugenics has been the policy of corrupt dictatorships, but we should be wary of subtler attempts
What are the concerns of eugenic genetic engineering?
Encourages discrimination of anyone not seen as ‘perfect’
Values humans for the wrong reasons (no ‘innate’ value)
Focuses on strength and intelligence
Usually misused for social, racial or political ends
Attacks basic freedoms and rights
What are the possible advantages of eugenic genetic engineering?
However, if being psychotic or abusive is genetic, why not protect society by using eugenics?
Further, why make society pay for people with disabilities if their problems can be eradicated?
How is genetic engineering used in animals?
Has been happening for years through selective breeding. Technology merely complicates things by allowing more transgenic breeding and a wider range of potential uses:
‘Pharming’ – used to produce drugs or vaccines:
Xenotransplants - Pigs bred to grow human organs
Agriculture – leaner meat, better yield, greater resistance to disease
What are the concerns of genetic engineering in animals?
Involves embryos
Very inefficient – of 7,000 eggs injected to produce transgenic pigs, only 0.6% were successful
Unnatural – attacks God’s role as creator
Consequences are unknown and potentially very harmful
Could affect entire ecosystems by upsetting the balance
Could introduce e.g. pig viruses into humans (AIDS may have come from monkeys)
Mistakes result in great suffering for animals
Companies are now patenting cross-breeds and making money from them
Transgenic animals may be made for the wrong reasons – e.g. glow-in-the-dark rabbits
Any developments will favour rich countries and further disadvantage developing countries
How is genetic engineering used with GM crops?
As with animals, could be used to increase yields, increase resistance to disease and pests and make some plants immune to certain artificial pesticides and herbicides
What are the advantages with GM crops?
Could improve environment, but is driven by profit not concern for the environment
Could provide an answer to world hunger (Kenyan researchers developed a GM sweet potato with an 80% improvement in yield)
What are the concerns with GM crops?
Effects unknown – environmental, health etc.
Removes choice, as GM seeds travel over to non-GM crops or even weeds (making them stronger!)
it costs millions to develop these crops, so rich countries will do it first
Traditional farming re-uses seeds, but biotech companies charge on a yearly basis
Developing countries are going it alone, but their safety tests aren’t as thorough
What are the potential benefits of embryo cloning?
understand and prevent miscarriages more effective contraceptives prevent growth of cancer test for inherited diseases increases success rate for IVF potential sibling donors frozen twins rather than two pregnancies
