Comments on: Genetic Enhancement Not A Human Right

By: goatse

goatse — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:27:00 +0000

There is no “Human Rights” what a bunch of crap. You are lucky if you get any rights at all.

By: Taylor K

Taylor K — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:34:37 +0000

Stefy Narvaez, i agree that genetic enhancement is a delicate topic, and that we need to analise as many outcomes and consequences as possible before we make any firm decision, however, i disagree with the idea that genetic manipulation would limit diversity. If only the “haves” can afford genetic manipulation, then the ‘have nots’ will be the same as the ‘haves’ of today, without genetic enhancement, and the ‘haves’ will be something completely different. Not something as dramatic as two divergent species, but considerably different.

On a different note, i also disagree that we should refrain from genetic enhancement unless it is available to the rich and the poor. Life will never be fair, we can make it as fair as possible, with universal health care and welfare and the like, i endorse that, but i think its stretching it to have ‘universal genetic enhancement’ ; this is unrealistic, (as mentioned before, we dont even have universal plumbing yet), and i think its wrong to deny people who have the means to improve themselves the right (or privilege) to do so, simply because other people cant.

By: Proxy

Proxy — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:42:55 +0000

I think theres a flaw in this article respectfully the ethical debate presented is nothing knew and there are some good points regarding where we draw the line, the problem however is more evasive than one topic can cover. It is my understanding that whether the FDA or health system passes genetic enhancement as a human right or not, we are looking at a global market that produces a re engineered product in a lab and does a great job making money off of it. All research and study this far into genetics as a whole seems prompt attention, whether that attention applies or not really doesn’t matter. The simple fact is when something like this has been going on for who knows how long there is really nothing political or ethical that can prevent something like this from eventually becoming a reality, personally I hope it does become a reality. It offers more solutions than problems as some might argue but that in itself is whole other debate!!

By: Lord Tyriel

Lord Tyriel — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:18:06 +0000

it is a right. Its our lives that were enhancing not anyone elses. listen if i was to make myself More stronger or make myself be able to grow faster such as my brain cells, Strength, being faster then others, etc its not your choice it is mine. If we make it public then everyone won’t have diceases either, and at the rate were going diseases are at a high. So why not? Hell maybe some people will hate you for being better then them, but its the norm. If your better then someone then they will always try to be better the you, it is human nature. but this is my reason, i hope you take it to heart.

By: 16id-My Health Mart is an online | Gene Talk #11: Cello, Et Cetera

16id-My Health Mart is an online | Gene Talk #11: Cello, Et Cetera — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:14:41 +0000

[...] genetic enhancement were freely available and many disease genes identified and understood, how many people would [...]

By: DNAmelia

DNAmelia — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:15:17 +0000

I aprectiate everyone’s oppinion on the subject but really the fact is you cannot tell people that it is not their right to change themselves. You are your own person and whatever path you choose, it is your decision and it will lead you somewhere new, maybe challenges, perhaps success, who really knows? Illness is becomming such a huge issue in our modern day world and i believe that people have every right to change or alter their DNA or genes or take any other risks to be able to save themselves or prevent disease in their body and for the generations to come. As far as cosmetic surgeries go to change your physical appearance, I say go for it! If surgery is the solution to self esteem or confidence issues that are a result of how you see yourself and how you feel about yourself, then i believe that humans have every right to it. It is their choice, it is their life. Let them lead it.

By: Genetics and Health » Genetics and Health in 2006

Genetics and Health » Genetics and Health in 2006 — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:10:24 +0000

[...] September 2006 – Genetic Enhancement Not A Human Right (Nothing’s fair in genetics and health.) [...]

By: Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD

Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:48:10 +0000

Jessica: Thanks for your comment! I do agree that everyone is special and unique. Most likely, gene therapy won’t change that because humans are so complex but it does mean that we’ll have a lot more high performing people in this world. Could get pretty annoying!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 01:48:35 +0000

I think Genetic Enhancement is completely wrong. It isn’t fair that some rich person could take this advantage and the poor can’t. Besides, God made you the way he wanted you to be and you shouldn’t change it. Everybody should be happy about the way they look. Now I’m not saying that getting eyeglasses to improve your eye vision is a bad thing because that is a necessity.

Different people is what makes our world special.Think how boring it would be if a couple people in your class got an enhancement and they all got straight A’s on all their tests. It wouldn’t be fair. You shouldn’t change yourself because everbody is special in their own way!

By: Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD

Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 22:43:32 +0000

Stefy: Thanks for your comment. The reality is, as you pointed out, genetic enhancement will never be accessible to everyone whether it is limited by cost, healthcare, politics, etc. There are also differences in the number of children born to people living in various cultures and situations so I believe the human race will continue to have great variety.