Bioethics

The intersection of philosophy and science, bioethics goes beyond the question of "what can we do" to ask "should we do it?" The human race has become very advanced scientifically, and by all estimates we will continue to advance exponentially. However, at some point during this process we must consider what the wider implications on culture and society.

Genetic Engineering

"The deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material"

In recent years, genetic engineering has come to the forefront of scientific news with CRISPR gene editing technology breakthroughs in agriculture and disease mitigation such as malaria, HIV, and cancer.

With such large-scale breakthroughs in biology has come a myriad of ethical queries. The concept of "designer babies" has been a subject of large debate, particularly after the Chinese doctor He Jainkui was given a three-year sentence for genetically altering the twins Lulu and Nana, the first ever genome-edited babies.

Jainkui claimed to be editing the children to protect them from HIV, however, since only their father was HIV positive, the children had no risk of developing HIV from birth in the first place. His actions were subsequently condemned for being too risky without need. Furthermore, this case has sparked plenty of debate on what guidelines and laws should be put in place surrounding genome editing. Should humans be adopting the position of "God" and deciding who will develop disease? Moreover, as genetic engineering advances, which genetic traits should be left to chance? Should parents be allowed to pick the height of their child, their hair color, or their athletic ability?

Bioethics in Film: Gattaca

This scene from the 1997 film Gattaca is a perfect amalgamation of bioethical analysis in genetic engineering. The main character Vincent was born "naturally" as in without the preventative intervention of genetic engineering. Subsequently, cultural pressures encourage his parents to partake in this new science which has become a societal norm. They are told that because Vincent's embryo was unedited he will develop heart disease and die before reaching middle-age. With this information—and guilt— in mind, they decide to genetically engineer their second child.

Eugenics and human rights

At first, they are only interested in ensuring he lives a long healthy life, however, they are persuaded to consent to a myriad of other "edits" making him much more genetically superior to his older brother.

These kinds of non-health-related, "unnecessary" genetic edits are often associated with "racehorse theory" or eugenics. An ideology made famous by Adolf Hitler who wanted a "pure" race of "genetic superiority."

Gattaca does a great job of conveying both the possibilities of genetic engineering scientifically and culturally. Genetic engineering not only becomes a norm but parents are portrayed as at fault or careless if they leave things up to chance. Furthermore, those born without any genetic engineering find it difficult to find jobs in this dystopia because those with genetic engineering are considered more capable and adept. This issue drives the plot as the main character Victor decides to take on the identity of a genetically engineered person so that he can work in his dream profession.

Historical Case Study: Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was born in Virginia in 1920, she had five children, and she tragically developed cervical cancer at a young age. She sought diagnosis and treatment at John Hopkins hospital where her cells were harvested and used for research without her consent or knowledge. Those cells just so happened to be miracle cells subsequently dubbed "immortal" as they continued to divide infinitely.

Researchers were able to use these cells to make fortunes but did so without even informing Lacks's bereaved family let alone asking for permission to harvest and test her cells in the first place. While Lacks's cells provided plentiful medical breakthroughs in polio, HIV, measles, ebola, and molecular biology as a whole, it was done unethically without attention to respect or privacy.

Fortunately, this case and others like it have ushered in new laws to be made about the use of people's tissue and genetic sequencing for comercial use. In 2013 a researches made Henrietta Lacks's dna sequence public record prompting legal proceedings between the family and the NIH.

Bioethics in Literature: Frankenstein

In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the scientist Victor Frankenstein bioengineers a creature— Frankenstein's ghost—using corpses and electric shocks. After doing so, Victor regrets his work and abandons it. The creature does not understand his existence or the world that he has been abandoned in and comes to hate and resent his maker. This leads us to a myriad of ethical questions based on what responsibility the creature has to the created.

Parallels between the ethical questions of Victor and his ghost and parents' responsibility to their children as well as of course geneticists' responsibility to their work.

Key Thinkers

Nicholas Agar: is a philosopher and proponent of "liberal eugenics"
Lee M. Silver: is a molecular biologist who advocates for "free market eugenics"

Both follow the same reasoning that genetic engineering and designer babies are ethical on the basis that such "enhancements" are just as unjust as class differences. They claim, that better schools, opportunities, and medical care are environmental enhancements that are comparable to the advantages that would be provided by genetic enhancements. Therefore, the most significant bioethical issue is the chance that such genetic engineering would become an option only available to the rich.

"Since the consequences would be inheritable we could potentially end up with what Silver calls ‘the naturals’ and ‘the GenRich’, or genetically enhanced. The major worry here is that the ‘genetic gulf ’ between these two classes will become so wide that humans will become separate species"

Nevertheless, if this danger is addressed—which both believe can be done ahead of the potential fallout—the pros of genetic engineering outweigh the cons.

Michael Sandel: a philosopher who opposes Silver and Agar's argument. Further the fact that genetic engineering being comparable to class advantages is not a warrant for genetic engineering becoming a norm; genetic engineering itself is the problem, not its various advantages.

Although he admits that the alleviation of disease is an admirable cause, he advocates that humans should not be continually striving for more methods to control but should embrace the natural difficulties that arise from being human. "It is life’s problems and unexpected turns, he says, that make us compassionate and caring of each other. Our vulnerabilities are often what make us loveable and what pull us into relationships"

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