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<h1><center>Eugenics, Reprogenics and the People of Tomorrow</center></h1>
<h1><center>Reprogenetics and the People of Tomorrow</center></h1>


- Society today seems to be engulfed with improving their current situations in life and modeling themselves after others.
<h2>Reprogenetics and Future Goals</h2>


- But what would a specific person constitute as perfect? It could be a physical feature to make them more attractive, an indestructible body for dominating athletic events, or it could even be as subtle as making people see colors for the first time.
With all of the new technology that seems to be invented daily, a new kind of science is trying to break the barriers of conventional genetics and enter into the eugenic sphere. This new branch of genetics, referred to as reprogenetics, is a science aimed at altering or improving the reproductive process.  The advantages of investing in reprogenetics for some would include more interpretation of DNA and a higher reinsertion rate of embryos into the host mother.


- Enhancements are starting off as a therapeutic device in order to help people with certain diseases, but as the American consumer is becoming more willing to pay for anything to help their image, it is only a matter of time before therapy turns to a necessity for the rich.
Some possible goals of reprogenetics would include:
- Moral and ethical questions:


1. Why should we do it?
*A higher disease prevention rate


2. Is it worth it?
*Human enhancement and reproductive autonomy.


3. What are the risks involved for myself and others? Plastic surgery and laser surgery was seen years ago as enhancement and many scientists, along with others, see enhancement of people as just going with the times. But some scientists are driven by ego and by Hollywood which can lead to having the X-Men come off the screen and into your neighborhood. Consumer demand will drive the researchers to development seemingly anything as long as the consumer can afford. This can all be linked to a more modern form of eugenics, even though when eugenics was first formed it was more of a compulsorary movement. For people considering enhancement of humans, there are four main points to consider:
*Manipulation of DNA
Safety
 
Cheating
*Freedom of choice for parents wanting a healthy and successful child
Hubris
 
Equality
[[Image:Image13.jpg]]
With all of the new technology that seems to be invented daily, a new kind of science is trying to break the barriers of conventional genetics and enter into the eugenic sphere. This new branch of genetics, referred to as reprogenetics, is a science aimed at altering or improving the reproductive process. The advantages of investing in reprogenetics for some would include more interpretation of DNA and a higher reinsertion rate of embryos into the host mother. Some possible goals of reprogenetics would include a higher disease prevention rate, human enhancement and reproductive autonomy. Eugenics, again, was first seen as a social policy with the government involved that would be a compulsory program for the betterment of a society. Reprogenetics is a newly formed definition for the same types enhancements that people want to make for themseleves and their families. An example of a modern form of eugenics which does not involve a government agent would be market eugenics. Market eugenics is a case where insurance companies would put pressure on parents to create a healthier child so the insurance companies would not have to pay out more money for healthcare. This would lead to a homemade/consumer eugenics program where parents could preselect certain traits for their child and, if certain traits are not formed correctly, a more advanced form of selective abortion would take its place.
 
Eugenics, again, was first seen as a social policy with the government involved that would be a compulsory program for the betterment of a society.  Reprogenetics is a newly formed definition for the same types enhancements that people want to make for themseleves and their families.  An example of a modern form of eugenics which does not involve a government agent would be market eugenics.  Market eugenics is a case where insurance companies would put pressure on parents to create a healthier child so the insurance companies would not have to pay out more money for healthcare.  This would lead to a homemade/consumer eugenics program where parents could preselect certain traits for their child and, if certain traits are not formed correctly, a more advanced form of selective abortion would take its place.
 
 
 
<h2> Eugenic Advances </h2>
 
Plastic surgery and laser surgery was seen years ago as enhancement and many scientists, along with others, see enhancement of people as just going with the times. But some scientists are driven by ego and by Hollywood which can lead to having the X-Men come off the screen and into your neighborhood. Consumer demand will drive the researchers to development seemingly anything as long as the consumer can afford. This can all be linked to a more modern form of eugenics, even though when eugenics was first formed it was more of a compulsorary movement. The children that are never given the option as to whether or not have genetically engineered DNA will be subject to a lifestyle that one can not imagine.  The advanced and non advanced children of future generations will develop contempt and hatred towards one another: The non engineered may blame their parents for their meager existence along with their genetically better peers while the engineered will blame privilege without having to actually work at anything.
 
[[Image:GRIM-REAPER.jpg]]   
 
 
For people considering enhancement of humans, there are four main points to consider:
 
*'''Safety'''- The development of new products takes more than one trial in order to get it right.  When toying with the notion of even greater technological advances, the experimental stage will be longer than ever.  Gene modification, if it ever develops, will be a dangerous risk to take in the early stages. But for adults who want to risk their health, why should it not be allowed?  It is when they are signing their children up for these ambitious experiments that something needs to be done to stop them.
 
*'''Cheating'''- Some will say; "If the technology is there and legal, why not take it"?  One reason will be that by some genetically modifying themselves, the aspect of a real work day has become non-existant.
 
*'''Hubris'''- The addition of strong DNA to an unborn child has not been done, nor does it seem practically safe.  The human being may not be fully evolved enough or the procedure be the safest to allow a successful result.
 
*'''Equality'''- The question of equality has to be a factor when discussing the manipulation of humans.  This technology that is being introduced is expensive and will not be for everyone. So what is to happen to those families that can not afford genetic engineering for their child?  A widening gap between scientifically perfect and not will form in society.
 
<h2> References </h2>
 
Nordgren, Anders. ''Responsible Genetics''. pp. 215-230
 
Levy, David M and Peart, Sandra J. "Denying Human Homogeneity: Eugenics and the Making of Post-Classical Economics". 24 May 2002
 
Mehta, Parendi. "Human Eugenics: Whose Perception of Perfect?"
 
Plotz, David. "The Ethics of Enhancement: We can make ourselves stronger, faster, smarter. Should we?" Slate.com 12 March 2003
 
Plotz, David. "Building a Better YouHow you'll become stronger, faster, smarter". slate.com 5 March 2003
 
 
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Latest revision as of 03:46, 3 January 2008

Reprogenetics and the People of Tomorrow

Reprogenetics and Future Goals

With all of the new technology that seems to be invented daily, a new kind of science is trying to break the barriers of conventional genetics and enter into the eugenic sphere. This new branch of genetics, referred to as reprogenetics, is a science aimed at altering or improving the reproductive process. The advantages of investing in reprogenetics for some would include more interpretation of DNA and a higher reinsertion rate of embryos into the host mother.

Some possible goals of reprogenetics would include:

  • A higher disease prevention rate
  • Human enhancement and reproductive autonomy.
  • Manipulation of DNA
  • Freedom of choice for parents wanting a healthy and successful child

Eugenics, again, was first seen as a social policy with the government involved that would be a compulsory program for the betterment of a society. Reprogenetics is a newly formed definition for the same types enhancements that people want to make for themseleves and their families. An example of a modern form of eugenics which does not involve a government agent would be market eugenics. Market eugenics is a case where insurance companies would put pressure on parents to create a healthier child so the insurance companies would not have to pay out more money for healthcare. This would lead to a homemade/consumer eugenics program where parents could preselect certain traits for their child and, if certain traits are not formed correctly, a more advanced form of selective abortion would take its place.


Eugenic Advances

Plastic surgery and laser surgery was seen years ago as enhancement and many scientists, along with others, see enhancement of people as just going with the times. But some scientists are driven by ego and by Hollywood which can lead to having the X-Men come off the screen and into your neighborhood. Consumer demand will drive the researchers to development seemingly anything as long as the consumer can afford. This can all be linked to a more modern form of eugenics, even though when eugenics was first formed it was more of a compulsorary movement. The children that are never given the option as to whether or not have genetically engineered DNA will be subject to a lifestyle that one can not imagine. The advanced and non advanced children of future generations will develop contempt and hatred towards one another: The non engineered may blame their parents for their meager existence along with their genetically better peers while the engineered will blame privilege without having to actually work at anything.


For people considering enhancement of humans, there are four main points to consider:

  • Safety- The development of new products takes more than one trial in order to get it right. When toying with the notion of even greater technological advances, the experimental stage will be longer than ever. Gene modification, if it ever develops, will be a dangerous risk to take in the early stages. But for adults who want to risk their health, why should it not be allowed? It is when they are signing their children up for these ambitious experiments that something needs to be done to stop them.
  • Cheating- Some will say; "If the technology is there and legal, why not take it"? One reason will be that by some genetically modifying themselves, the aspect of a real work day has become non-existant.
  • Hubris- The addition of strong DNA to an unborn child has not been done, nor does it seem practically safe. The human being may not be fully evolved enough or the procedure be the safest to allow a successful result.
  • Equality- The question of equality has to be a factor when discussing the manipulation of humans. This technology that is being introduced is expensive and will not be for everyone. So what is to happen to those families that can not afford genetic engineering for their child? A widening gap between scientifically perfect and not will form in society.

References

Nordgren, Anders. Responsible Genetics. pp. 215-230

Levy, David M and Peart, Sandra J. "Denying Human Homogeneity: Eugenics and the Making of Post-Classical Economics". 24 May 2002

Mehta, Parendi. "Human Eugenics: Whose Perception of Perfect?"

Plotz, David. "The Ethics of Enhancement: We can make ourselves stronger, faster, smarter. Should we?" Slate.com 12 March 2003

Plotz, David. "Building a Better YouHow you'll become stronger, faster, smarter". slate.com 5 March 2003


Eugenics | Eugenics and Family | People of Tomorrow | The Biotechnological Revolution | The Return of Eugenics | Causes for Concern | Conclusion - 1
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