Peer Response to Jess Martell's Post

Jess Martell posted a very controversial topic on her blog page recently. She discussed the topic of germline genetic therapy, a rising issues in the science field today. Germline genetic therapy is the manipulation of genes to alter one’s DNA. Jess supports this by providing links to a supporting site and a site against. Jess believes that genetic therapy should be researched further to help prevent genetic diseases in the future. Her stance is if we have the technology and the ability to help solve diseases we should be doing so. Ethics does not support genetic therapy being it would narrow the genetic diversity in our society. Having the ability to “play god” goes against moral ethics and this is where many people argue that it is unethical. Jess supports both sides well; she sources Washington Post Science Department on why it will be beneficial to continue research on this and then provides a counterargument link to Think Quest, a scientific foundation, which explains the disadvantages to genetic therapy.

I also believe with Jess’s stance on supporting genetic therapy. She provides a valid quote that I stand behind, “Think about confronting a person in the future with a genetic disease that you could have prevented," said Walters, the Georgetown ethicist, "and telling them that even though you knew how to fix it, you stopped because you thought society might abuse this thing." I believe if we have that capability to solve genetic diseases now we should take advantage of it, however under regulations. If society would be able to choose every quality of their offspring I believe that if would conflict with ethics. Jess provides good sources supporting genetic therapy along with ones against it. Overall Jess does a good job at providing both sides of genetic therapy.

To view Jess's Blog

Ethics vs. Medicine on Stem Cell Research

                Stem cell research is a very debatable subject in the United States. It was just a year ago that stem cell research became legal and actual research didn’t start till this past spring. Stem cell research is done by using human tissue cells to conduct tests on. Stem cells are tested on due to their importance during growth and early life, and their importance leads to traits of humans later in life along with reason for diseases.  Laboratory studies of stem cells enable scientists to learn about the cells’ essential properties and what makes them different from specialized cell types. Debate on stem cell research arises in using embryonic cells to study on, which have to be extracted from the embryo before differentiating begins. This process requires the destruction of the embryo and the destruction of a prospective life. Some believe that this process is murder. However, those supporting it believe that the research will lead to the elimination of birth defects and diseases and help create a healthier human population. Ethics would oppose stem cell research due to the fact that it is killing a prospective life and tampering with the natural order of human life. Over time the research could lead to the selection of traits that an embryo would obtain, eliminating the variety in the human race. More benefits of stem cell research are listed in the follow link. Many religious groups are against the use of embryonic cells, and believe doctors who perform research should be charged with murder in court. (Religious Views on Stem Cell Research) I believe that stem cell research will benefit our society, helping reduce birth defects and cancerous cells. The opposition against it, murder and the narrowing of diversity in our society are valid arguments, but I believe that if they are creating the embryo for a scientific purpose it is not directly murdering a human life. We have the technology to solve cancer and birth defects and I believe we should use it for the betterment of the world.

Learn more about the process of stem cell research.