Question

Is it ethical to modify the DNA of a bacterium? A single-celled yeast? A worm? A plant? A cat? A human? Give reasons for your answers. Are some modifications to the DNA of humans not acceptable? Assuming you think so, what criteria would you use to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable changes?

Answer 1

Ans=

Yes it is ethical to modify the DNA of bacterium and single celled yeast. Because as per we are able to understand they can't feel or they can't understand or in simple terms they don't have any consciousness (in terms of awareness), they are the simplest life forms which have a single way of living, they are ubiquitous in nature even present in those areas where normal life forms are mot even possible. And as science needs subjects to evolve, to solve the issues related to the survival of all sorts of living beings, to answer many unanswered questions, what may be a better subject which in layman's language we can designate robots of living world, these single celled organisms are made of biotic components but their mode of survival is completely like a robot, pre-programmed. However, we must keep in our mind that genetic modification should be up to a limit i.e. till they have their original identity retained, a E.coli must remain a strain of E.coli how much modification it undergoes. And they must not be converted into superbug which becomes immortal and dangerous to other life forms.

For Worm, Plants, cat, human as these organisms are complex life forms and some of them up to level and others can feel pain, have a bit or are conscious the level of genetic modification should be limited. They can't be make mutants shown in movies. Genetic modification should be to a level where it benefits them and other surrounding them, it must not cause harm, discrimination of the basis of modified or non modified should not arise and in any possibility can never be used as a weapon for destruction, warfare or to establish supremacy by any individual, organisation, state or country over other. The only modification to be allowed should be those which can be used in medical treatments, provide fooding and clothing to the underprivilege sections of the world to solve the world crisis, to be beneficial to all the living organisms of the world not only to human but all other species, help to solve environmental issues and to help answering various questions of science (which are concerned with benefit to the world) and help to open new domains for scientific research work which will result in the benefit of everyone.

Yes some modifications in human DNA are not acceptable. The changes which can by any means result in harm to its identity as a human as a person, harm to others, that can cause it to undergo serious and severe pain, can result in discrimination in the society, can create a superhuman which can be used by one against other by any means possible, which can give it leverage over others and that can make it less human in any possible measure and any other issue which can be termed as morally and ethically unacceptable by the society. The criteria mentioned in the last paragraph should be taken as a line as for now and with due time and development in science it should be broaden but the basic should be simple that any modification which can change a organism into something else by the loss of its identity, which can result in harm to any other living organism or environment, that can be use against other in any possible means or that can result in discrimination of any kind must not be acceptable at any cost. What nature created must retain its natural and original identity even after a lot of genetic change.