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Name: Student Number:

Jorddy Brandon Juárez Sánchez 193055

Course: Professor name:

English C1 Angelica Soto Infante

Week: Activity:

8 Essay regarding the question:

What would you genetically alter about the

human race to improve them as species?

Date: February 27th, 2023

References to the bottom of the document.

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What would you genetically alter about the human race to improve them as
species?

Getting in perspective
The human race is a magnificent machine. It was the development of natural
selection for billions of years. They have probably emerged from the south of Africa
and did spread all over the world since that. However, it is not flawless, and people
suffer from myriads of conditions and illnesses.

Today genetic engineering promises to cure genetic diseases, enhance cognitive

abilities, and modify physical traits. Despite this, the ethical implications of altering
human DNA have spread a recurrent debate about the limits of human ¨Perfection¨.
In this essay, I will argue that the genetic alterations that could improve the human
species will not overcome the ethical dilemmas and risks that revolve around the
topic.

Too good to be true?

Firstly, the potential misuse of genetic engineering poses a significant ethical
dilemma. Altering human DNA could lead to a genetically superior class,
perpetuating social inequality and discrimination. It could also lead to the
commodification of human life, where the wealthy people could pay for genetic
improvements while the poor would be left behind. Furthermore, it could give rise to
an ideology that values certain genetic traits more than others, carrying the situation
to a narrow and prejudiced definition of what it means to be human.

On the other hand, the long-term consequences of genetic engineering are uncertain
(uncanny certainly), and the risks that it involves cannot be vaguely ignored. While
eliminating genetic diseases may seem like something morally correct, it could also
result in unexpected consequences. Genetic diversity is a critical component of
evolution, and altering the human genome could disrupt the delicate balance of
nature. Effectively, genetic alterations could have unpredictable effects on future
generations, driving to mutations and health problems. One example of this type of
uncertainty is the case of the twin babies born in China with DNA modification.
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Adding up, the ethical implications of genetic engineering extend beyond the
individual and into society. The availability of genetic improvements could expand
the gap between the haves and have-nots, creating a social and economic divide
that threatens social cohesion. It could also lead to a devaluation of human life,
triggering a potential situation of division of the social classes.

Is DNA modification completely wrong?

I have previously considered various factors, arguing that genetic engineering may
lead to adverse outcomes. However, some implications suggest the opposite,
thereby creating a debate within the scientific community.

Firstly, the characteristics and definite shapes of the first man and woman are not
clear from the outset since these events did not occur simultaneously, and the
human race evolved differently based on the regions in which they lived.

For instance, the people of the Himalayas, located in Nepal, exhibit remarkable
resistance to high altitudes due to genetic mutations that enable them to hike without
adverse effects. Additionally, the Bajau tribe, located in Indonesia, has an
extraordinary ability to hold their breath underwater. Upon conducting research,
scientists discovered that they possess a distinct genome that enables their blood
spleen to withstand underwater conditions more efficiently.

To wrap things up
In conclusion, genetic alterations aimed at improving the human species may seem
like a scientific fantasy, but the ethical implications and risks involved are too
significant to ignore. Altering human DNA could lead to social inequality, biased
ideologies, and an unclear definition of what it means to be human. Therefore, I
would not genetically modify the human race as the long-term consequences of
genetic modification are not clear, and the implications involved cannot be
disregarded. I believe we must carefully consider the ethical implications of genetic
engineering and ensure that our science and society have evolved enough to avoid
making a horrific mistake.
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References

20 Minutos(2019, April 5). Por qué los miembros de la tribu Bajau aguantan bajo el
agua hasta 13 minutos. www.20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias.
https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/3607291/0/tribu-bajau-malasia-bazo/

BBC News Mundo. (2017, May 29). Por qué los sherpas pueden subir al Everest
sin cansarse (y no es porque están entrenados para hacerlo).
https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-40029019

Miah, A. (n.d.). Ethics Issues Raised by Human Enhancement. OpenMind.

https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/articles/ethics-issues-raised-by-human-
enhancement/

Polit Econ, J. (2020, April). Genetic Endowments and Wealth Inequality. National
Library of Medicine. Retrieved February 25, 2023, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7448697/

Science. (n.d.). AAAS. Retrieved February 25th, 2023, from

https://www.science.org/content/article/chinese-scientist-who-produced-genetically-
altered-babies-sentenced-3-years-jail