relationship to ISSI 470

Monmouth College senior Issues and Ideas class 470 is called Biotechnology and Human Values. The goal of this class is to examine recent advances in biotechnology and the ethical issues that accompany such advances. The topic I chose is gene therapy and the ethical issues that accompany such a treatment. How does this topic fit into the overall theme of the the course?

The basic ideas behind gene therapy and what it proposes to do are controversial in nature. We are seeking to alter the genetic makeup of man to essentially attempt to create a genetically perfect human being. We hope to rid the world of genetic diseases and remove the pain and suffering they cause. Like many new technologies we have to stop and ask ourselves whether or not it is worth it. Just because we have the ability to use a technology for what we see as the betterment of man should we. The same question has been asked of almost any new technology ever created. Sometime the benefits outweigh the costs and sometimes we see the costs as outweighing the benefits. However, the mere fact that we question new technology is wonderful. It shows that we refuse to blindly accept change for the sake of change. We have become a society that asks the question "Is this the right thing to do"? This could be said of almost any topic we have discussed in ISSI 470. Just because we can, does that make it right?

We began this semester discussing ethical decision making and the processes involved in this type of decision making. All of those processed carry over to gene therapy and the people developing and implementing this technology. They need to step back and look at the bigger picture and try to understand what the consequences of their research will be. They need to weigh the benefits against the possible risks that could be associated with altering the genetic makeup of an individual. They also must take into account beliefs, values, and ethics of those who may be affected by this technology, which is everyone. Only by taking all of these things into account can they make decisions on the ethical issues that arise from gene therapy.

From the technology aspect of this course this topic is right on track. We spent a great deal of time looking at the human genome project and its uses. This is one of those uses. Gene therapy encompasses most of the major advances in molecular biology in recent times. Essentially gene therapy is the result of this research.

Finally we have spent much time discussing the human condition and how it affected by biotechnology. I believe that many of the ethical questions raised by gene therapy could dramatically impact the human condition as we now know it. But it is important to understand that the human condition is not a static thing, it is constantly changing and evolving. The real question is whether the impact gene therapy has on the human condition will be a positive impact or a negative one. It is hard to tell at this point which it will be, but whatever happens it is easy to say we will not be same as we were before gene therapy.