Genetic Genetic EngineeringEngineering

What you need to know...What you need to know...

• You should be able to demonstrate knowledge You should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: and understanding of:

• the the ethical questions raised by the different ethical questions raised by the different types of genetic engineering types of genetic engineering to humans, to humans, animals and plants; human embryo research; animals and plants; human embryo research;

• the the applicationapplication of the different approaches of of the different approaches of ethical theories to genetic engineering. ethical theories to genetic engineering.

• Candidates should be able to discuss critically Candidates should be able to discuss critically these issues and these issues and their strengths and their strengths and

weaknesses. weaknesses.

What is a Gene?What is a Gene?

• The gene is the basic unit of heredity. The gene is the basic unit of heredity. Genes determine our hair, eye and skin Genes determine our hair, eye and skin color.color.

• A gene is a stretch of DNA which codes A gene is a stretch of DNA which codes for a specific protein.for a specific protein.

• Proteins perform, regulate, or influence Proteins perform, regulate, or influence all our bodily functions.all our bodily functions.

What is genetic What is genetic engineering?engineering?

• GE is defined as the manipulation or GE is defined as the manipulation or alteration of the genetic structure of a alteration of the genetic structure of a single cell or organism.single cell or organism.

• This refers to the deliberate addition, This refers to the deliberate addition, deletion, or intentional mutation of an deletion, or intentional mutation of an organism’s DNA sequence to produce a organism’s DNA sequence to produce a desired result.desired result.

What is genetic What is genetic engineering?engineering?

• More commonly it involves the More commonly it involves the transfer of a gene from one transfer of a gene from one organism to another.organism to another.

• It is the nature / purpose of the It is the nature / purpose of the experiments themselves that experiments themselves that concern Ethicists.concern Ethicists.

So what is the problem?So what is the problem?

• There are many Christian / Moral There are many Christian / Moral concerns regarding Genetic concerns regarding Genetic Engineering...Engineering...

• As we go through the slides please make As we go through the slides please make notes on a table like this:notes on a table like this:

Christian Concerns regarding GE

Secular Concerns regarding GE

Is Genetic Engineering ‘playing Is Genetic Engineering ‘playing God?’God?’

• Difficult phrase to understand.Difficult phrase to understand.• Some are simply expressing awe Some are simply expressing awe

and wonder at our power.and wonder at our power.• For some it means taking over For some it means taking over

“God Only” activity.“God Only” activity.• Often used to express fear and Often used to express fear and

ignoranceignorance

Are we playing God?Are we playing God?

• Being good stewards of God’s Being good stewards of God’s creation requires knowledge of His creation requires knowledge of His creation.creation.

• Part of being created in God’s Part of being created in God’s image is our creativity.image is our creativity.

• In this sense we “Play God” by In this sense we “Play God” by imitating Him.imitating Him.

Is it wrong to combine genes Is it wrong to combine genes from different species?from different species?

• One gene does not define a One gene does not define a species. DNA is not alive.species. DNA is not alive.

• We have created many “new” We have created many “new” creatures by selective breeding creatures by selective breeding and artificial selection such as and artificial selection such as dogs, cattle, mules, wheat and dogs, cattle, mules, wheat and corn.corn.

Is it wrong to place human Is it wrong to place human genes in an animal?genes in an animal?

• Once again, one gene does not a human Once again, one gene does not a human make. A gene is a molecule of DNA.make. A gene is a molecule of DNA.

• Transgenic pigs have been made to Transgenic pigs have been made to produce human Factor VIII, a blood-produce human Factor VIII, a blood-clotting agent needed by hemophiliacs.clotting agent needed by hemophiliacs.

Is it OK to use animals to Is it OK to use animals to produce human organs?produce human organs?

• In Genesis 3:21 the Lord used animals In Genesis 3:21 the Lord used animals skins to make clothes for Adam and Eve.skins to make clothes for Adam and Eve.

• In Gen. 9:3 He gave permission to use In Gen. 9:3 He gave permission to use animals for food.animals for food.

• We’ve used spleens of pigs for insulin for We’ve used spleens of pigs for insulin for diabetics.diabetics.

• Seems no difference in using animals for Seems no difference in using animals for organs.organs.

Should GE be used for curing Should GE be used for curing genetic diseases?genetic diseases?

• Curing genetic diseases should be Curing genetic diseases should be approached cautiously.approached cautiously.

• The Church has traditionally been about The Church has traditionally been about the business of healing.the business of healing.

• At first, only fatal conditions should be At first, only fatal conditions should be researched for complications.researched for complications.

• Must approach with humility and Must approach with humility and sensitivity towards those already sensitivity towards those already affected by these diseases.affected by these diseases.

Embryo ResearchEmbryo Research

• Concentrated on stem cells – regenerative Concentrated on stem cells – regenerative medicinemedicine

• Embryos used are left over from IVF or created Embryos used are left over from IVF or created in lab from donationsin lab from donations

• When stem cells are removed from the When stem cells are removed from the embryo, it is destroyedembryo, it is destroyed

• No cure yet discovered by scientists using this No cure yet discovered by scientists using this techniquetechnique

• Probs occur as the cells not genetically Probs occur as the cells not genetically compatible with the patient, can be rejected.compatible with the patient, can be rejected.

Therapeutic CloningTherapeutic Cloning

• Taking an egg from which the nucleus has been Taking an egg from which the nucleus has been removed and replacing that nucleus with DNA removed and replacing that nucleus with DNA from the cell of another organism, using a from the cell of another organism, using a process known as somatic cell nuclear transfer. process known as somatic cell nuclear transfer. This single cell forms an early stage embryo with This single cell forms an early stage embryo with almost identical DNA to the original organism. almost identical DNA to the original organism.

• What benefit would this approach have?What benefit would this approach have?

The Law in the UKThe Law in the UK

• The Law allows embryo research in the UK if:The Law allows embryo research in the UK if:• The embryo is less than 14 days oldThe embryo is less than 14 days old• The genetic structure is not altered when part of the The genetic structure is not altered when part of the

embryoembryo• HFEA allows the procedure for the following purposes:HFEA allows the procedure for the following purposes:• Treatment of infertilityTreatment of infertility• Congenital diseaseCongenital disease• Prevention of miscarriagePrevention of miscarriage• Development of more effective contraceptionDevelopment of more effective contraception• Detection of abnormalitiesDetection of abnormalities

Should I be able to determine Should I be able to determine the sex of my child?the sex of my child?

• If the determination is made after If the determination is made after fertilization, a negative result is only fertilization, a negative result is only rectified by abortion.rectified by abortion.

• But we can separate “y” sperm from “x” But we can separate “y” sperm from “x” sperm.sperm.

• Not much wrong , but little good about Not much wrong , but little good about it, even if preventing a sex-linked it, even if preventing a sex-linked disease.disease.

Is it ever OK to engineer Is it ever OK to engineer desired traits?desired traits?

• Public opinion is currently against this Public opinion is currently against this procedure.procedure.

• We live in a culture where personal We live in a culture where personal choice is idolized.choice is idolized.

• We allow facelifts and tummy tucks We allow facelifts and tummy tucks don’t we?don’t we?

• Trying to limit GE to curing disease is Trying to limit GE to curing disease is not as easy as it sounds.not as easy as it sounds.

Is it ever OK to engineer Is it ever OK to engineer desired traits?desired traits?

• There will be hard cases and choices.There will be hard cases and choices.• GATTACAGATTACA• A single gene in mice allows them to A single gene in mice allows them to

learn faster, remember longer and learn faster, remember longer and possess greater curiosity.possess greater curiosity.

• But this same protein plays a role in the But this same protein plays a role in the consequences of strokes and sensitizes consequences of strokes and sensitizes the brain to heroin and cocaine.the brain to heroin and cocaine.

Biblical Principles relating to Genetic Biblical Principles relating to Genetic EngineeringEngineering

• Genesis 1:26-28 Created in God’s ImageGenesis 1:26-28 Created in God’s Image• Body is a temple of the Holy SpiritBody is a temple of the Holy Spirit• Stewardship / DominionStewardship / Dominion• We are fallen creatures.We are fallen creatures.• Our imperfections are used by God.Our imperfections are used by God.• Exhortation to be fruitful and multiplyExhortation to be fruitful and multiply

TaskTask

• Make a word bank containing the Make a word bank containing the meaning of the key terms you meaning of the key terms you might encounter in this topic:might encounter in this topic:

• Embyro, Cloning, blastocyst, Embyro, Cloning, blastocyst, Human Genome, Stem Cell, Human Genome, Stem Cell, Zygote, Therapeutic cloning, Germ Zygote, Therapeutic cloning, Germ line engineering, Somatic Cell line engineering, Somatic Cell engineeringengineering

GE & Christian PrinciplesGE & Christian Principles

• Anything that allows embryos to be Anything that allows embryos to be discarded or used for the sake of another discarded or used for the sake of another Human being is wrong based Human being is wrong based Sanctity of Sanctity of Life Life principle.principle.

• RC / Orthodox view life is sacred from RC / Orthodox view life is sacred from moment of conceptionmoment of conception

• Principle of Principle of agapeagape – if motivated by love – – if motivated by love – Humans are ‘maker and selector and a Humans are ‘maker and selector and a designer’ morally in charge of genetics (J designer’ morally in charge of genetics (J Fletcher)Fletcher)

GE & Natural LawGE & Natural Law

• Basic Principle – everything created Basic Principle – everything created for a purpose – when using reason, a for a purpose – when using reason, a person should know how to act to find person should know how to act to find happiness.happiness.

• GE against GE against primary precept primary precept of of preserving life because it destroys preserving life because it destroys embryos. embryos.

GE & Kantian EthicsGE & Kantian Ethics

• V hard to apply universal maxims to GE - could V hard to apply universal maxims to GE - could have ‘use’ spare embryos from IVF, but not have ‘use’ spare embryos from IVF, but not ‘create’ as this would threaten existence of ‘create’ as this would threaten existence of Human Race. Human Race.

• GE goes against treating people as an end not GE goes against treating people as an end not means – but Kant not clear on status of embryomeans – but Kant not clear on status of embryo

• Kant does emphasise importance of Human Kant does emphasise importance of Human Rights – informed consent.Rights – informed consent.

• Kant stresses DUTY as single motivation – no Kant stresses DUTY as single motivation – no account of love / consequences.account of love / consequences.

GE & UtilitariansimGE & Utilitariansim

• Assesses each situation on own Assesses each situation on own merits - to promote greatest merits - to promote greatest happiness for gt numberhappiness for gt number

• Need to be able to assess results of Need to be able to assess results of GE – but in practice this v hard to GE – but in practice this v hard to do.do.

• Benefits of GE can be indentified Benefits of GE can be indentified through using the Hedonic Calculusthrough using the Hedonic Calculus