Saturday, April 23, 2011
1 of 5 Independence Process Blog for Project 5
Project 5 will be the last project in this writng course. It is a profile. At first I was very confused as to what a profile was and I was really unsure about what I would write about. I thought it would only be a good paper if a profile was on a person. When I think about a profile I think about a person. However, as the professor began explaining profiles more and more I came to the realization that I could do a place. The first thing that came to my mind was the beach. I am from Narragansett, Rhode Island and my favorite place in the whole world is Narragansett Town Beach. It is where I spend a lot of my time and my whole entire summer. It is a very special place to me so I figured I would be able to write a good profile on it. At first I was held back a bit on writing about the beach because it does seem very typical. However, the fact that it means so much to me made me realize that I would not want to write about anything else.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Project 4 Postwrite
Danielle Silva
Professor M. MacKnight
WRT 104
19 April 2011
Project 4 Postwrite
For project four I was to write a persuasive essay taking a side on an issue in society. I changed the topic of my paper many times to finally find one that I enjoyed and would be able to write a well-written paper on. When I finally made my decision on my topic I decided I would write about genetic engineering and the path it is headed towards. During the course of this project I learned that it is much easier to write a persuasive essay on something you actually have a strong opinion about. When I started to read articles on genetic engineering I realized that I developed a strong side for genetic engineering but also against it. This is explained in my thesis which was, “Although scientific advancements in the future will allow for genetic engineering of embryos, the technology should only be used to prevent life changing diseases.” I also learned that it is better to eliminate the amount of quotations in a paper and use more paraphrasing. This makes the paper stronger and therefore I tried to do so in my paper. I think that my paper had strengths because it was a good topic and each sub topic that I talked about in my paper was interesting. Another strength was that the information from my articles and journals that I added in made the paper even more appealing. However, like all papers, mine also had some weaknesses. I feel as though I sometimes jumped around a bit too much in my writing and the paper didn’t flow as well as I wanted it too. I tried to fix this but I still feel as though it needs some work. Also, I wish I could have found one more topic to write about under genetic engineering to make the paper a bit longer. All in all, I believe that my paper was better than I thought it would be and I am very happy with the outcome. To help in response to my work I would say to help with the flow of my paper and also help to maybe think of another sub topic that could be added as an extra paragraph to my paper.
Monday, April 18, 2011
5 of 5 Independence Process Blog for Project 4
After the writing workshop on Thursday, I needed to get started on fixing my paper to make it the best it could be. The one thing I was worried about was making my paper to be five pages long. The people in my writing workshop group told me I didn’t need to add anything because they liked the way that it was so I was nervous and unsure of what I could add to my paper. However, when I began to read my paper I found places to add sentences to it to make the paper flow better. Eventually, it ended up being exactly five pages long and I was relieved. I am very happy with the outcome of my paper because I think it is very well-written and interesting.
4 of 5 Independence Process Blog for Project 4
On Thursday the class had a writing workshop for project four. I really enjoy these workshops because they really help with the elaboration of my paper. They also allow me to see where I have made mistakes. Besides myself, I had two others group members in my writing workshop. When they read my paper they said they really liked it and thought that it flowed very well. I was nervous before the workshop that my paper did not flow well. I was very happy to hear that it was a well-written paper. Besides fixing a few minor things, I also had to make my paper a little bit longer because it needed to be five pages.
Project 4 final
Danielle Silva
Professor M. MacKnight
WRT 104
13 April 2011
Genetic Engineering
In 1976, the first genetically engineered mice were created. They were used to test the preciseness of genetic engineering to eventually further test on humans. Scientists wanted to test to see if they could manipulate the offspring of mice to change their characteristics to the benefit of the mice. In doing so, this would make the mice more adapted to living a better and more efficient life. Even crops are being genetically engineered to make sure that the best plants are being produced for the sellers and the consumers. Ever since then, scientists have been diligently working towards creating designer babies and preventing disease and cancer towards infected humans. However, other humans want to take this case and create designer babies to form the “perfect child”. In doing so, eventually parents will be able to choose the child’s hair color, eye color, skin tone, and body image. Although scientific advancements in the future will allow for genetic engineering of embryos, the technology should only be used to prevent life changing diseases.
“Genetic engineering is the direct human manipulation of an organism’s genetic material in a way that does not occur under natural conditions” (Ren 1). This process alters the genes in the species being made to make it more sustainable towards a better life. As of right now, scientists are not one hundred percent positive how to make the magic of genetic engineering work on humans. However, it is a process they are diligently working on. The process of genetic engineering “…involves using recombinant nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) techniques to form new combinations of heritable genetic material followed by the incorporation of that material either indirectly through a vector system or directly through micro-injection, macro-injection and micro-encapsulation techniques” (Ren 1). Specialists use specific techniques to add injection to eliminate or add genetic material to change features to the benefit of the person or animal being worked on. Also, the method, preimplantation genetic diagnosis or “PDG”, has the primary function for screening unborn children for genetic diseases (Aggen 361). Although the technology is not quite guaranteed at this point in time, the technology will soon be readily available in the future.
When most humans hear of the idea of genetic engineering in their own species, it seems appealing. In certain situations this can be very alluring. However, when looked more deeply into, one can see the harms in this. “As the face of science is being permanently altered by such changes, so is our moral understanding and awareness. When the words “gene therapy” first entered our daily vocabulary, most Americans applauded to its novelty, ingenuity, and potential for medical research. However, as one realizes the deep social and ethical consequences, the concept of “super humans” scare them. The possibility of creating a new breed of humans with “better genes” is not something that the public has prepared for” (Ren 1). There are some positive attributes that will come along with genetic engineering in humans. In doing so, genetic engineering will allow doctors to get rid of genes in humans that cause harmful diseases in which shortens a humans life. “If the full benefits of gene therapy are ever realized, we can replace the dud genes with correctly functioning copies” (Ren 1). Specialists are working on figuring out how human engineering can get rid of some diseases and cancers in humans to save lives. In this way this will make the world and country of the United States a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable place to live. However, if some other ways that humans want to use this new invention, the process may not benefit the world as a whole but will only benefit the individual.
There are some circumstances where genetic engineering in humans may be valuable to an individual along with the family. In these situations it has a positive outcome on the world. An article written by ABC news journalist, Fernaz Javid discussed a young girl who has suffered from an extremely rare disease called Diamond Blackfan anemia, which is when an individual cannot rid of extra red blood cells. The young girl only had a few options to choose from to endure her future. However, none of them were easy to choose. Her brother, unfortunately, was not an exact match and the doctor explained a way for the parents to produce a child with the right match to keep their daughter alive. If this genetic process could indeed be made, the lives of those who suffer can be ended. This example simply goes to show how far science has truly come. However, it could eventually and potentially back fire and make the country and world completely different than it is now if used in the wrong way.
Some people think genetic engineering will help the world in a different sense. The groups of people who choose to believe that eugenics will help the country in this way are almost thinking in the ways of the Nazi system in the 1930’s during the Holocaust. The Nazi’s only wanted humans with blonde hair and blue eyes. Humans would be choosing the types of humans to come into this world based on looks and being genetically superior. Parents are able to choose hair color, eye color, skin color, and eventually whether the child may be athletic, intelligent, and artistic. Also, they will soon enough be able to eliminate the obesity gene. If these genetically engineering devices and procedures work on human beings, society may run into a few problems. Marcy Darnovsky, the associate executive director at the Center for Genetics and Society stated, “If we’re going to produce children who are claimed to be superior because of their particular genes, we risk introducing new sources of discrimination” (Naik 2). Individuals who are blessed with being overly financially supported will have the ability to produce a baby that everyone would desire. On the other hand, inferior humans will be pointed out as those who were unable to convey a “designer baby”. All of the people who are unable to produce genetically engineered babies will be associated as humans dealing with poverty.
With no laws to hold back this ever-advancing technology, the possibilities of creating a parent’s perfect child are endless. This can be a scary thought for those humans who do not have an overload of money to be able to work with this procedure. Transhumanist author, James Hughes stated, “If nobody gets hurt and everybody has access, then genetic modification is perfectly fine, and restricting it is an assault on reproductive freedom” (Keim 1). However, there are some serious issues that come along with what some people think of this as greatness. The average cost of an in-vitro treatment is about $12,000, and adding preimplantation diagnosis onto that cost will increase the total another $3,000 (“How much does PGD Cost?”). This idea will put a damper on those who are unable to afford the cost of producing a “designer baby”. Soon enough, there will be a clear distinction between the rich and the poor. In addition to that, the world will be unable to have a balance of classes. “Secondly, you’re going to have the rich using these technologies, and that’s going to advantage them further. It’s not going to be something the poor get to do. Lastly, you’ve got a problem here, why are doctors in the business at all? ‘I have to serve my patients,’ but is this just a cash business where you’d say, you know, ‘I want a child with short arms. I want a kid with athletic ability.’ Is everything and anything for sale at the fertility clinic?” (“Designer Babies: Ethical?”). By separating social classes, this will eventually separate those who are physically stable from those with “disease”. In this furthers, those who are left with obesity and poverty, will be pointed out as those with disease and those who are unable to afford this process.
Besides choosing to make ones “designer baby” without “disease”, one can also choose the gender. With a certain process, the gender of this child can be chosen by the individual’s caretakers. This process, which is more readily available to the public, is less involved than picking out physical features or preventing life-altering illnesses, yet it still corrupts the natural process of life. “A woman is given medicine so that she would produce many eggs. Once the eggs are mature, these eggs are collected. The eggs are then fertilized in the in vitro fertilization lab. On the third day, these embryos are biopsied to determine their sex. The normal embryo with the desired sex is then transferred into the uterus. The other embryos are typically thrown away” (Liao 3). In some individual’s minds, this process seems to be a perfect solution to the process of making their “perfect family”. In the United States, this may not cause many issues; however in other countries around the world, gender choices would be very appealing. Countries in the east, such as China, would prefer to choose the male race over the woman race when producing a child. “In China, where the male to female ratio has increased in recent years from 1.05 to close to 1.20; and a similar situation exists in South Korea where the male to female ratio at birth grew from 1.07 in 1982 to 1.15 in 1991” (“Sex Preselection: an Aid to Couples or a Threat to Humanity?”). If genetic engineering eventually plays out, countries such as China will be over populated with males. At the time, this may seem extremely appealing to those individuals, however as time goes on all families will want to produce males and eventually there will be no female offspring. This will then lead to an under population because females are not being produced and therefore the over populating males will be unable to find spouses to produce children with. Eventually, not only will this lead to a population problem in China but it will lead to a population problem around the world.
In addition to the negative upbringings that may come along with genetic engineering, the process is extremely unnatural. The deliberation alteration of life goes directly against the natural selection of genes. It would be odd for most humans to have a baby with genes that did not match the parents. The point of bearing a child would be to give the genes of each spouse to the child to make it their “own”. “Altering a baby’s genetic traits and manipulating our own nature, in this view, demeans the uniqueness if each individual and thus undermines our humanity. Ethnics contend that genetic engineering devalues the meaning of parenthood, where children become merely consumer goods and properties of their parents” (Ren 3). Genetic engineering in humans by choosing a baby’s features is successful; it will not allow the world to be the unique and cultured place that it is today. Eventually, everyone will be led to having the “perfect” child and soon there may be too much perfectness and not enough order. Everyone will want his or her baby to be intelligent and athletic to further the money growth in the family. “Whether the child succeeds in life is not wholly determined by his or her own efforts, but rather from parental decisions made prior to birth. The child might no longer accept responsibility for the things they do. As a parent, to acknowledge the unique qualities and the giftedness of life Id to accept their children as they are” (Ren 2). By allowing parents to choose how they want their children to be, they are not accepting who they are. Nature has designed the process of making life to exactly the way it should happen. If the world is not lived naturally, it may not be able to make the steps to make the world as efficient and long lasting as it should be.
Genetic engineering has made huge steps in advancing the technology of it in the last two decades. However, science goes beyond the acceptable limits in this situation. At some point, the process of this will go too far. Eventually the process will allow humans to determine the embryos athletic, artistic, and learning ability. To the individual, he or she may think this process will better the world. However, looking at the big picture situation, it will only confuse and complicate. It is going to cause society more problems than it is ready to deal with. However, genetic engineering should be used for fighting disease and keeping the lives of those who are at stake. Although the science could have a large amount of potential, its benefits should only be used in preventing disease and cancer. Scientists should not further studies in allowing humans to genetically create what in his or her eyes, the “perfect” human because of its dangers and how unnatural it is.
Works Cited
Aggen, David H. "Identification and Engineering of Human Variable Regions That Allow
Expression of Stable Single-chain T Cell Receptors." PEDS: Protein Engineering, Design & Selection 24.4 (2011): 361-72. Print.
“Designer Babies: Ethical?” Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment &
World News – CBS News. CBS News, 3 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2011.
"How Much Does PGD Cost?" Frequently Asked Questions. Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Engineering, 13 June 2002. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. <http://www.preimplantationgenetictesting.com/Faq.htm#How%20much%20does%20Pr eimplantation%20Genetic%20Diagnosis%20-%20PGD%20costs>.
Kumar, Manish. "Developments in Biobutanol Production: New Insights." Science Direct 88.6
(2011): 1999-2012. Print.
Naik, Gautam. “A Baby. Please. Blond, Freckles-Hold the Cholic.” The Wall Street Journal
Health. The Wall Street Journal, 12 Feb. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2011.
Ren, Yin. “Designer Babies: The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering.” MURJ, Spring 2005.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
3 of 5 Independence Process Blog for Project 4
When I went to go write my rough draft of my persuasive paper, I realized I did not really like the topic that I had chosen. I then came across an article on the advancements scientists are trying to make using genetic engineering. I found this very interesting and started to research more. I then decided I would definitely rather write my paper on this topic. My new thesis states “Although scientific advancements in the future will allow for genetic engineering of embryos, the technology should only be used to prevent life changing diseases.” Writing this project was a bit hard because my topic states that some of the processes of genetic engineering are good, but they are also bad. Also, I could not quite make mine five pages but I am hoping with the help of the writing workshop I will be able to do so. I am very pleased with my topic however, and I believe that my topic is a very interesting one.
Project 4 First Draft
Danielle Silva
Professor M. MacKnight
WRT 104
13 April 2011
Genetic Engineering
In 1976, the first genetically engineered mice were created. They were used test the preciseness of genetic engineering to eventually further test on humans. Scientists wanted to test to see if they could manipulate the offspring of mice to change their characteristics to the benefit of the mice. In doing so, this would make the mice more adapted to living a better and more efficient life. Even crops are being genetically engineered to make sure that the best plants are being produced for the sellers and the consumers. Ever since then, scientists have been diligently working towards creating designer babies and preventing disease. Parents are creating designer babies to form the “perfect child”. In doing so, eventually parents will be able to choose the child’s hair color, eye color, skin tone, and body image. Although scientific advancements in the future will allow for genetic engineering of embryos, the technology should only be used to prevent life changing diseases.
“Genetic engineering is the direct human manipulation of an organism’s genetic material in a way that does not occur under natural conditions” (Ren). This process alters the genes in the species being made to make it more sustainable towards a better life. As of right now, scientists are not one hundred percent positive how to make the magic of genetic engineering work on humans. It is a process they are diligently working on. The process of genetic engineering “…involves using recombinant nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) techniques to form new combinations of heritable genetic material followed by the incorporation of that material either indirectly through a vector system or directly through micro-injection, macro-injection and micro-encapsulation techniques” (Ren).
When most humans hear of the idea of genetic engineering in their own species, it seems appealing. However, when looked more deeply into, one can see the harms in this. “As the face of science is being permanently altered by such changes, so is our moral understanding and awareness. When the words “gene therapy” first entered our daily vocabulary, most Americans applauded to its novelty, ingenuity, and potential for medical research. However, as one realizes the deep social and ethical consequences, the concept of “super humans” scare them. The possibility of creating a new breed of humans with “better genes” is not something that the public has prepared for” (Ren 1). There are some positive attributes that will come along with genetic engineering in humans. In doing so, genetic engineering will allow doctors to get rid of genes in humans that cause harmful diseases in which shortens a humans life. “If the full benefits of gene therapy are ever realized, we can replace the dud genes with correctly functioning copies” (Ren 1). In a way this will make the world and country of the United States a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable place to live.
There are some circumstances where genetic engineering in humans may be beneficial to an individual along with the family. An article written by ABC news journalist, Fernaz Javid discussed a young girl who has suffered from an extremely rare disease called Diamond Blackfan anemia, which is when an individual cannot rid of extra red blood cells. The young girl only had a few options to choose from to endure her future. However, none of them were easy to choose. Her brother, unfortunately, was not an exact match and the doctor explained a way for the parents to produce a child with the right match to keep their daughter alive. If this genetic process could indeed be made, the lives of those who suffer can be ended. This example simply goes to show how far science has truly come. However, it could eventually and potentially back fire and make the country and world completely different than it is now.
The groups of people who choose to believe that eugenics will help the country are almost thinking in the ways of the Nazi system in the 1930’s during the Holocaust. They are choosing the types of humans to come into this world based on looks and being genetically superior. Also, the method, preimplantation genetic diagnosis or “PDG”, has the primary function for screening unborn children for genetic diseases. Although the technology is not quite guaranteed at this point in time, the technology will soon be readily available in the future.
Eventually, if these genetically engineering devices and procedures work on human beings, society may run into a few problems. Marcy Darnovsky, the associate executive director at the Center for Genetics and Society stated, “If we’re going to produce children who are claimed to be superior because of their particular genes, we risk introducing new sources of discrimination” (Naik 2). Individuals who are blessed with being overly financially supported will have the ability to produce a baby that everyone would desire. On the other hand, inferior humans will be pointed out as those who were unable to convey a “designer baby”.
Along with producing the perfect child in terms of looks, the screening for obesity could also be available in the future. With no laws to hold back this ever-advancing technology, the possibilities of creating a parent’s perfect child are endless. Transhumanist author, James Hughes stated, “If nobody gets hurt and everybody has access, then genetic modification is perfectly fine, and restricting it is an assault on reproductive freedom” (Keim 1). However, there are some serious issues that come along with what some people think of this as greatness. The average cost of an in-vitro treatment is about $12,000, and adding preimplantation diagnosis onto that cost will increase the total another $3,000 (“How much does PGD Cost?”). This idea will put a damper on those who are unable to afford the cost of producing a “designer baby”. Soon enough, there will be a clear distinction between the rich and the poor. In addition to that, the world will be unable to have a balance of classes. “Secondly, you’re going to have the rich using these technologies, and that’s going to advantage them further. It’s not going to be something the poor get to do. Lastly, you’ve got a problem here, why are doctors in the business at all? ‘I have to serve my patients,’ but is this just a cash business where you’d say, you know, ‘I want a child with short arms. I want a kid with athletic ability.’ Is everything and anything for sale at the fertility clinic?” (“Designer Babies: Ethical?”). By separating social classes, this will eventually separate those who are physically stable from those with “disease”. In this furthers, those who are left with obesity, will be pointed out as those with disease and those who are unable to afford this process.
Besides choosing to make ones “designer baby” without “disease” or obesity, one can also choose the gender. With a certain process, the gender of this child can be chosen by the individual’s caretakers. This process, which is more readily available to the public, is less involved than picking out physical features or preventing life-altering illnesses, yet it still corrupts the natural process of life. “A woman is given medicine so that she would produce many eggs. Once the eggs are mature, these eggs are collected. The eggs are then fertilized in the in vitro fertilization lab. On the third day, these embryos are biopsied to determine their sex. The normal embryo with the desired sex is then transferred into the uterus. The other embryos are typically thrown away” (Liao 3). In some individual’s minds, this process seems to be a perfect solution to the process of making their “perfect family”. In the United States, this may not cause many issues; however in other countries around the world, gender choices would be very appealing. Countries in the east, such as China, would prefer to choose the male race over the woman race when producing a child. “In China, where the male to female ratio has increased in recent years from 1.05 to close to 1.20; and a similar situation exists in South Korea where the male to female ratio at birth grew from 1.07 in 1982 to 1.15 in 1991” (“Sex Preselection: an Aid to Couples or a Threat to Humanity?”). If genetic engineering eventually plays out, countries such as China will be over populated with males. At the time, this may seem extremely appealing to those individuals, however as time goes on all families will want to produce males and eventually there will be no female offspring. This will then lead to an under population because females are not being produced and therefore the over populating males will be unable to find spouses to produce children with. Eventually, not only will this lead to a population problem in China but it will lead to a population problem around the world.
In addition to the negative upbringings that may come along with genetic engineering, the process is extremely unnatural. The deliberation alteration of life goes directly against the natural selection of genes. “Altering a baby’s genetic traits and manipulating our own nature, in this view, demeans the uniqueness if each individual and thus undermines our humanity. Ethnics contend that genetic engineering devalues the meaning of parenthood, where children become merely consumer goods and properties of their parents” (Red 3). Genetic engineering will not allow the world to be the unique and cultured place that it is today. Eventually, everyone will be led to having the “perfect” child and soon there may be too much perfectness and not enough order. “Whether the child succeeds in life is not wholly determined by his or her own efforts, but rather from parental decisions made prior to birth. The child might no longer accept responsibility for the things they do. As a parent, to acknowledge the unique qualities and the giftedness of life Id to accept their children as they are” (Ren). By allowing parents to choose how they want their children to be, they are not accepting who they are. Nature has designed the process of making life to exactly the way it should happen. If the world is not lived naturally, it may not be able to make the steps to make the world as efficient and long lasting as it should be.
Genetic engineering has made huge steps in advancing the technology of it in the last two decades. However, science goes beyond the acceptable limits in this situation. At some point, the process of this will go too far. Eventually the process will allow humans to determine the embryos athletic, artistic, and learning ability. The science of genetic engineering should solely be used to screen for diseases, and this is not the case at all. It is going to cause society more problems than it is ready to deal with. Although the science could potentially have its benefits in preventing disease and cancer, that is all it should be used for. Scientists should not further studies in allowing humans to genetically create what in his or her eyes, the “perfect” human.
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