Getting Closer...

On May 13th, 2008 at Cornell University in New York, the first human embryo was genetically engineered. The Cornell scientists took the gene for a fluorescent protein and put in into the single-celled human embryo they were testing. All three sets of chromosomes the embryo had were glowing after three days. The head scientist, Dr. Rosenwak explained that the division of the daughter cells after this time period means that the gene for the fluorescent protein would be able to be passed on to future generations. Technology has already made it possible for genes to be injected into humans blood or muscle cells primarily for medical purposes. However, this kind of genetic engineering only benefits the single individual at that time. Due to the location of the genes, they are unable to be transferred on to their offspring. This is the first time that genes are able to be passed on from generation to generation. This is a major step in being closer to be able to produce designer babies in the near future. Seven years prior to this experiment, the first genetically engineered monkey was reproduced. This current event can be found as one of my older posts labeled "Designer Babies Maybe?". However, since then no human has been able to have this procedure done, although scientists are extremely close to having the technology to be able to. Though, the researchers at Cornell University claim that this embryo was "abnormal," for it never had the potential to develop into a human baby. Instead, the experiment they were doing was solely for the purpose of stem cell research. It is argued that their claims are false because the scientists did not want to get in trouble for experimenting with a topic that is unethical in many individuals' eyes. These individuals feel that the scientists at Cornell University should have held a "public discussion" before they completed their work. Their research would make it possible for parents to choose their child's intelligence, appearance and athleticism before they are even born. This advancement questions what it means to be human. Would being able to choose your child's appearance take away the true meaning of a human? That is the question that scientists have to evaluate before they continue experimenting in this field.

Pollack, Andrew. "Engineering By Scientists On Embryo Stirs Criticism.(National Desk)." The New York Times. 157. 54309 (May 13, 2008): A14(L). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 8 Feb. 2010. http://find.galegroup.com..