Scientific Implications and Controversy
Gene therapy has many positive aspects that can be applied to relieve the suffering of others. Hereditary disease such as Parkinsons and Huntingtons deal debilitating damage to nervous system functional capabilities of an individual. It is particularly unpleasant disease and causes extreme amounts of stress on not only an afflicted individual but family members who have to watch their loved ones go through this as well. It would be extremely difficult to argue against gene therapy on the basis of its ability to provide an answer to situations such as this. However many feel that this technology opens the door to a future where we go beyond treating the sick to enhancing our genetics for personal gain or want. Some believe that we are opening the door for societies to exist that have been displayed in Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," in which humans can be produced in test tubes with their genetic qualities determined in advance.
Germ-line genetic manipulation proposals have suggested the use of stem cells and embryonic implantation. Stem cell use and the way in which they are acquired have numerous philosophical and human rights issues surrounding them. Generally the arguments against this use surround the harvesting of embryonic stem cells and questions when conception of a human life occurs. The arguments against the use of embryos for stem cell harvesting to rooted in an individual's religious/moral beliefs in protecting a human life. Topics of controversy and reluctance to delve to deeply into these uses of genetic knowledge can be seen in the societal concerns section.
Genetic Engineering in General has both opponents and proponents. A few which can be seen below to see different sides of this issue.
Some examples of groups speaking out against genetic engineering
Catholicism:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2200628.stm.
Green Peace
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering.
Generally groups advocating gene engineering tend to be societies that are committed to helping individuals with hereditary diseases some examples would be:
Huntington's Disease Advocacy Center
http://www.hdac.org/features/article.php?p_articleNumber=134.
Parkinson's Disease Foundation
A great resource for getting an overall view of this technology, the human condition, application, and information that American government officials use to make decisions can be seen here.
The President's Council on Bioethics
This website was created for the course Honors 210:The Ideal at Monmouth College.