Bioethics

The advances in the field of genetics have opened many avenues for attempts at understanding as well as altering the human genome. Scientists in USA, UK and China are attempting to alter human DNA to figure out the effects of various genes. Recently, attempts have been made to alter the genes of viable human embryos in the hope of finding cures for many diseases. While on one hand, these attempts can help understand the process of aging on the other they can help identify and possibly prevent many diseases. It is quite possible to find cures for various diseases like Alzheimer's, various cancers amongst others. Altering the human genome might be able to identify and alter the genes causing various birth defects and save many lives but a dangerous outcome is also possible. Since, one gene can have many effects, while genetic engineering might prevent one genetic disease, the same can also give rise to another anomaly or dangerous mutations. Any change in the genes will be handed over from generation to generation leading to possibility of unseen dangers. Unfortunately, as humans are not like cattle, the entire batch cannot be culled. Thus, any attempt at altering human DNA comes with various ethical questions that need to be addressed before viable embryos are genetically modified.