Question

Do you believe that the process of alteration in human/animal cells falls under the ethics of beneficence? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Reversible alterations that enable cell to maintain steady state despite adverse conditions.

The condition resulting from altering; modification. The result of this; change.

The definition of an alteration is a revision. Remodeling a house is an example of an alteration.

In my view it is benefidence.Because,these techniques affect different areas such as disease management, basic biomedical research, agriculture and environmental sciences. They could also be used to customize human characteristics for extra-therapeutic enhancement purposes.

Among the benefits of editing designed to treat diseases is the enhancement of gene and cellular therapies. At least nine areas would benefit from the advances in these fields:

1) Infectiology

2) oncology

3) hematology

4) hepatology

5) neurology

6) dermatology

7) ophthalmology

8) pneumology

9) organ transplantation

In addition to clinical applications, gene editing make it possible to create isogenic and animal modified cell lines to be used in basic biomedical research. Isogenic cells have a specific and standardized genetic profile, whereas modified animals (known as “chimeras”) have characteristics inherent to the human body. Thus, researchers have at their disposal experimental models of control that facilitate the generalization of empirical knowledge.

The gene that encodes the myostatin protein, which limits muscle growth, is among the several genes that can be edited. Once the action of a gene is inhibited, the mass of animals, such as pigs and cattle, can increase significantly, making them more attractive to consumers, which will certainly affect the transgenic food industry.

By intervening on the DNA of living beings, gene editing can also have macro-environmental effects. The optimization of the gene drive mechanism (genetic induction) is an example of its systemic applications. Through the gene drive mechanism, genetically modified organisms are released into nature in order to disseminate a certain genetic variant, prevailing over the species already present in the environment.

Finally, advances in the field of life sciences improve not only the treatment of diseases, but also the enhancement of human capacities, such as cognition, physical performance, and longevity. In theory, editing techniques would enable gene manipulation so that cognitive and physical traits on demand could be passed onto individuals.