Gordaen’s Blog

We are hitting a point where we have to make some challenging philosophical decisions. Previously, someone broke an arm and we would do our best to mend it with bandages and stints. Then we learned to tell people to drink more milk so their bones would not fracture as easily. Now, we are identifying genes that affect our ability to be healthy, to make use of calcium, to create white blood cells, and so much more. Should we modify these genes?

You can certainly make arguments for either view. In that regard, it’s similar to views on stem cell research. I can only guess that people who are entirely against the medical use of stem cells are against it because they think all stem cells are created by aborting fetuses. These kind of situations make it so obvious that ignorance often leads to prolonged suffering. In this case though, not modifying the genes could cause the death of the fetus or baby. It makes sense to modify genes to prevent significant diseases and other health issues, but what about “choice” genes? Should you be able to choose your child’s eye color? Should you be able to pick to have a more athletic body or a more intellectual mind?

Religious people might argue that we should not modify genes because that is “God’s work.” Of course, if we truly separate church from state, genetic modifications would be a personal choice. In that case, we would end up with super-smart, exceedingly fit atheists and genetically inferior, die-hard Christians.

You might take the stance of genetic change being the responsibility of nature via Darwin’s take on things, but we have already interfered with that. We’ve used medical technologies to go from “survival of the fittest” to “survival of the richest.” The near-blind can have corrected vision. The fat can have bypass operations. The meek can buy their meat. The vegetarians can take their nutrition supplements.

In this way, we have affected genes, albeit indirectly, and we have caused a stagnation of genetic advancement. These technological improvements have given hope to the genetically inferior and freedom for us to make choices. As we become able to directly modify genes, we can make these choices in a more concrete way, but, being more concrete, people will actually realize their actions. Generally, when people realize what they are doing, resistance comes in (compare how long people would drink, smoke, etc. while pregnant, endangering the fetus to how resistant people can be to abortion).

It’s hard to imagine saying “no” to fixing the genes that make people stupid, but the things that make us special will change. If everyone can have a perfect body and incredible intellect, how will our societal values change?