The Ethical Implications Of The Human Genome

Project Essay, Research Paper

The Ethical Implications of the Human Genome Project

Imagine that an enormous space-traveling rocket was under construction in Florida. Books and articles described the selection of the crew, the construction problems, and the likely cost. However, little attention was paid to its destination or mission after it arrived. This was not what happened, of course, when the Apollo project landed men on the moon for the first time. This analogy works very well in describing another large government-funded effort that is taking place in a different area today: the attempt to read the entire genetic DNA text of billions of characters that describes the heredity of a typical human being. This undertaking has been named the Human Genome Project.

This project is intended to teach scientists how the human body operates on its most basic level. With this knowledge comes a barrage of ethical, legal, and social implications that must be considered. James Watson, while head of the project, appropriated 3 percent of the projects funding for the study of these implications (Cook-Deegan 237). Although much information is being generated through this appropriation, it is surely not enough. It is thought that ethical guidelines must be determined as to what extent scientists, geneticists, and doctors will utilize this information.

The Human Genome Project is a worldwide research effort initiated by the National Institute of Health and the Department of Energy whose goal is to analyze the

structure of human DNA and to determine the location of the estimated 100,000 human genes. Along with this goal the groups are working on analyzing the structure and determining locations in the DNA of a set of model organisms. These model organisms, when studied, will provide the comparative information necessary for understanding the human genome (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 1-3).

The basic data produced in this project is sent to electronic databases where the information is assimilated and made readily accessible to those who need it. It is believed that this information will be the handbook for biomedical science in the 21st century. It will be used to treat the 4000 plus genetic diseases and multifactorial diseases in which genetic disposition plays a role. Over 1 billion dollars has already been spent on this project, with 200 million dollars being reserved annually since the projects initiation in 1988. Throughout the project, the genetic technology will increase to assist with a wide range of biomedical and biological research, the costs will decrease, and applications of both the technology discovered and the information accumulated will be found in other fields (U.S.D.H.H.S. 4-8)

Today there are many controversies relating to gene therapy and the ethical implications of the Human Genome Project. These controversies are heavily debated upon and studied but ultimately have to be resolved by society. One such controversy is that of safety. It is currently unknown what effects the body will have upon the introduction of a new gene into it. Premature experimentation runs the risk of unleashing dangerous and irreversible mutations into the gene pool (Gorner 1). It is believed that through extended and meticulous testing on laboratory animals that an acceptable and safe procedure may someday be possible. Another controversy confronting society is abortion. With the enhanced ability to detect genetic disease an increase in the number of abortions and political hassle is sure to follow. The Illinois state legislature has shown a step in the right direction with their recent presentation of a bill that would forbid sophisticated prenatal testing unless it can be shown to be beneficial to the fetus. The third controversy involves body cell (somatic) therapy versus sex cell (germline) therapy. Body cell therapy affects only the patient. An example is the introduction of a new gene to reprogram a cancer to keep it from spreading. However, sex cell therapy involves changes in the sperm or egg cells of an individual. This version of gene therapy could cause changes in our species because the alterations are passed on from generation to generation (Gorner 2). Barbara Katz Rothman, a sociologist, says, In gaining the choice to control the quality of our children, we may rapidly lose the choice of simply accepting them as they are (Shapiro 160).

An additional controversy that has surfaced with the prospect of sex cell alteration is that of eugenics, which is the specific tailoring of the human gene. This ability to manipulate genes for medical purposes could lead to other applications. One of the most feared applications is that of the improvement of the human gene. Traits such as intelligence, physical prowess, character, and even ethnic type could be altered some day (Gorner 2). The most prospective utilization of eugenics is the possibility to eliminate disabilities from the gene. A body of thought does exist although, that believes that disabilities should not be avoided but rather accepted as a part of nature. We are not really willing to confront disability, says Mary Johnson, editor of The Disabilities Rag, What we really want is fewer and fewer disabled people. That is what really worries me (Shapiro 160).

Jeremy Rifkin is very likely the most visible and vocal opponent of all forms of genetic manipul