Timothy Mulkey INSTRUCTOR MANAGER Critical Thinking Question Unit 10
There has been a lot of information in newspapers and magazines and on television concerning possible problems with genetic engineering.
What do you feel is the greatest concern or issue that must be addressed before greater use of genetic engineering is introduced? Why? Explain.
NOTE: Limit the discussion to scientific, economic, sociological, or other issues which are based on and supported by facts.
Unless you have read completely understand the approximately 1 million pages of regulations from the FDA, USDA, EPA, NAS, NRC and other groups that regulate safety issues associated with genetic engineering, I would suggest that you NOT attempt to discuss safety of genetic engineering.
There are many issue such as gene therapy, who pays for genetic engineering research, who pays for treatments developed by genetic engineering, who decides what treatments deserve the financial investments, what is a "defect" or only a "cosmetic" difference which could/should be altered through genetic engineering that can be discussed. This is a Critical Thinking question and should reflect your ability to think about and consider the variety of issues which must be addressed as the field of genetic engineering progresses during the next several decades.
Discussion of "moral", "ethical", or "religious beliefs" are NOT acceptable; such issues are based on personal beliefs of individuals and cannot be supported by facts. This is a science course, not a theology course. Not everyone has the same "moral", "ethical", or "religious beliefs" as you and such discussions are NOT acceptable in a SCIENCE course.
Cloning is NOT genetic engineering. A clone is an organism that is produced which is genetically identical to the original organism. NO gene is altered during cloning so it is NOT genetic engineering.