Alan

1. **KNOWLEDGE ISSUES:** What role does religion play in our perception of genetic engineering in humans? 2. **KI AND THE TOPIC:** Much of the opposition against genetic engineering in humans has come from religious societies, but opposition has also come from scientists themselves for other reasons. 3. **PERSPECTIVES:** 4. **SUPPORTING QUOTES:**
 * Religions, especially Christianity, oppose genetic engineering in humans, viewing it as a downfall of human civilization. They believe that tampering with the human body should be forbidden as the body is a gift from God, created in his image and thus a sacred object.The creation of a human in their perspective also gives us god-like powers, something that we should not have. The fact that such bodies are created in labs also threatens familial structure, something treasured Christians. There is also the fear that such research will not be used purely for good, but also for evil, as scientists are viewed by them as people who do things just because they can.
 * The scientific community itself is also split with the notion of genetic engineering in humans. Some are fine with the notion of creating a perfect human, excited by the notion of selecting certain genes in ones child, giving parents more control on how their offspring will turn out.
 * Some argue against the creation of babies with selected genes, not on any religious basis, but on the basis that it's morally wrong to create a human, selecting specific genes almost like a commodity. There is also the issue of eugenics and cost of such procedures, which may result in exclusion and dominance of a certain group of people, genetically raised to be superior.
 * A less controversial notion within the scientific community is the use genetic engineering to treat existing diseases involving chromosome errors.
 * "To experiment with creating a human being according to our liking is to tamper with that which is most sacred, that which is second only to God Himself. We must preserve the integrity of humanity; we dare not reconfigure human beings according to our whims and purposes."
 * "In speaking to bioethical issues, Christians must also challenge the notion that whatever can be done should be done, as well as the notion that scientific breakthroughs will always be used for good ends and never for evil."
 * "God intended that children result from intimate sexual union and be reared by both a father and a mother. As genetic and reproductive technologies progress, children will increasingly be produced according to the skill of biologists and the personal whims and desires of whoever might wish to become parents.Children conceived in petri dishes and born with the help of artificial insemination, surrogacy, or other techniques often face formidable obstacles in developing a sense of identity, and children who are cloned might face even greater struggles."
 * "Moreover, gene therapy will be, for the foreseeable future, a very expensive procedure, so only the wealthy will be able to afford it. Germ line gene therapy probably comes as close as is humanly possible to guaranteeing that those families who can afford it will be able to perpetuate their social and political dominance."
 * "Most defective genes involve a change in a few of these base pairs, often merely one. Gene repair involves changing the base pair causing the problem. This form of genetic engineering has far less potential for disaster or misuse than the kind being considered."
 * "Artificial chromosomes could then become genetic "cassettes" that would alter people's genetic inheritance, wiping out genetic diseases in family lines but also doing many other things."
 * "In the future, genetics may also be used for mental enhancement. Parents lacking math skills, for example, may shop for genes that predispose their bearer to mathematical excellence and have these genes inserted prenatally or postnatally into their children. Other parents may select traits such as artistic ability, musical talent, charm, honesty, or athletic prowess for their children."
 * BIBLIOGRAPHY**
 * Morton, Oliver. "Genetic Engineering of Humans Is Ethical." Opposing Viewpoints: Genetic Engineering. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 30 Jan. 2010 .
 * Gert, Bernard. "Genetic Engineering of Humans Is Largely Unethical." Opposing Viewpoints: Genetic Engineering. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 30 Jan. 2010 .
 * Lutzer, Erwin W. "Genetic Engineering Diminishes Respect for Human Life." Current Controversies: Genetic Engineering. Ed. James D. Torr. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 30 Jan. 2010 .
 * Edwords, Fred. "Genetic Engineering Can Be Ethical." At Issue: The Ethics of Genetic Engineering. Ed. Lisa Yount. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 31 Jan. 2010 .
 * Coates, Joseph F, John B. Mahaffie and Andy Hines. "Genetic Engineering Could Benefit Society." Opposing Viewpoints: Biomedical Ethics. Ed. Roman Espejo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 31 Jan. 2010 .