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Malli Fowler

UWRT 1102

Connie Douglas

30 March 2017

The Voices Beyond The Embryo

The idea of genetically engineering an embryo has been hidden in the distance for so

long, except for now. As technology is advancing and medical diseases are rising, the use for this

technology is present in the world. Though this technology is banned in almost every country

and has strict regulations in some, researchers and scientist are asking the world to lift the ban so

more intensive research can be done so we can use the benefits of this technology to cure

diseases in an embryo. Doctors around the world have spoken up about the destructive

technology and have made an overall decision that the technology is too risky for humans. While

some doctors say the technology could cure a disease, they wouldn't want to risk damaging the

embryo further. The victims of these genetic diseases want help, but many will not resort to

genetic engineering because it go against their religious beliefs. Although, some religions look at

this topic with a different view.

Sheikh Tijani Musa, Head of Islamic education in Jamaica believes that genetic

engineering on humans is acceptable in their religion because the technology does not interfere

with the concept of marriage. "In Islam, the principle is that the female and male have to be

married before they do what they want to do, and it has to be through the husband's sperm, not

from anything else. If the technology wants to help them, Islam will not say anything to that.

Islam allows us to use our brain or knowledge, as long as it does not contradict the principle of
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Islam (which is that) the male and female are to firstly be under the married act. It has to be after

the marriage, and the egg from the wife (Musa). Sheikh Tijani Musa speaks on behalf of his

religion by stating using this technology does not contradict any principles of Islam. He also

states that "God is the only one who can make the child - rich or poor, long life, short life, good

or bad. As long as they don't put any other sperm or anything to come to the mother, Islam will

not have a problem with that." (Musa). On the contrary, Reverend Father Kenneth Richards,

rector at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston and Ainsley

Henriques, director and honorary secretary of the United Congregation of Israelites says that

their religion has different views on the situation. Father Richard expresses that the whole

interference of the reproductive process with respect to trying to select the end product is

immoral and not respected under his faith. He also states that They are trying to assume the

responsibility of the Creator, and so the church would disapprove of that kind of intervention

(Richards). Ainsley Henriques expresses that in terms of modifying a human being to be, won't

be supported under the Jewish faith. He also states that People who used the technology were

interfering in the 'natural order' of the reproductive process. Basically, what we are doing is

interfering with the natural selection that would normally take place when two people come

together for the purpose of procreation (Henriques). Each religion has a different view on

genetic engineering of embryos but each stance is very strong.

The medical world views genetic engineering on embryos based on safety and

precautions. Dr. Francis Fukuyama of Johns Hopkins University and Oxford professor Julian

Savulescu agree that the technology is too risky for experimental use and not safe for humans.

This technology is not FDA approved and can lead to unpredictable results. This technology is

too far off for secure medical use, the effects could be destructive to the embryo (Fukuyama).
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Doctors around the world agree that genetic engineering on embryos is not safe. This

technology can be useful in specific medical situations but should not be used for recreational

use (Savulescu). Professor Julian Savulescu argues that in certain situation, genetic engineering

might be the only possibly option for children with genetic diseases but this technology should

not be used to change a child's eye color.

Scientists view on genetic engineering on humans is focused around the research needed

for advancements. George Church, a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School has a

strong view on the lack of researcher due to the FDAs regulations. The FDA bans all medical

technology from clinical use until proven safe and effective relative to its alternatives. Tests must

show promise in human cells, animals, and small phase 1 clinicals before the FDA will

ultimately approve it for larger trials and general use and society should not discourage the the

usual path for approval by adding an extra ban on top of the normal restrictions. (Church).

Edward Lanphier who works for the DNA editing company Sangamo Therapeutics says that the

technology needs to be researched so we can use the benefits. Technology is meant to grow and

advance, the FDA needs to lift the ban off the regulations (Lanphier). The scientific view on

genetic engineering on embryos is solely based off what scientific discoveries could be made if

the regulations were removed.

There are many different views on designer babies that go beyond religious, medical, and

scientific. Society factors in ethical issues and political issues on this technology as well. The

religious view can vary depending on religion and a persons personal faith. Medical views can

change depending on the doctor and the circumstance. The scientific view depends on the

development of research which at the moment is on hold due to the regulations. I think society
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needs to think about how genetic engineering on humans could benefit the medical world, but in

order to do that, we need the regulations lifted so scientist can start researching.

Works Cited
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Henriques, Ainsley. "Religious Community Divided over 'designer Babies' - News." Jamaica

Observer. Jamaica Observer, 3 June 2007. Web. 21 Mar. 2017.

Lanphier, Edward. "Edward Lanphier | The Buck Institute for Research on Aging." Edward

Lanphier | The Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Buck Institute, n.d. Web. 29

Mar. 2017.

Musa, Sheikh Tijani. "Religious Community Divided over 'designer Babies' - News." Jamaica

Observer. Jamaica Observer, 3 June 2007. Web. 21 Mar. 2017.

Outlaw, Greg. "What Is a Christian?" AllAboutGOD.com. All About GOD Ministries, 1 Mar.

2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2017.

Richards, Kenneth Reverend. "Religious Community Divided over 'designer Babies' - News."

Jamaica Observer. Jamaica Observer, 3 June 2007. Web. 21 Mar. 2017.

Who's Afraid of Designer Babies? The Ethics of Genetic Screening. Films Media Group, 2004,

fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=149262&xtid=36105. Accessed 27

Feb. 2017.