Human genetic engineering

Human genetic engineering deals with the modification of a human person by changing their genetic structure. These changes are usually carried out by taking a trait from one species, whether animal, plant, etc and transferring them into another species, in this case human.

This research is usually done to study gene expression and various human diseases. However, some drastic demonstrations of gene modification have been made with mice and other animals: a mouse with an 'ear' on its back, glow in the dark mice, etc. have been created (although mostly as a PR/"see if they could actually do it" type effort). Testing on humans has been generally deemed off limits.

Applications

Fixing medical conditions

Genetic engineering could help alleviate many problems, such as diabetes, by inserting/removing genes in the correct places (thus causing the appropriate cells of the body to fix the problem).

Adapting Humans to new specifications

Genetic engineering to drastically change people's genomes could enable people to regrow limbs, spine, the brain, be stronger, faster, have better reaction time, be smarter, survive underwater longer, the abilities are endless. If nature has created it, it could be carried over to the human body and expressed.

Positive Reasoning

Genetic engineering could bring a number of improvements to our race. The human race would be able to adapt and survive more circumstances than currently possible. For example, humans can't breathe the atmosphere on Mars, nor live in the sea; genetically engineered people theoretically could. Populating areas currently impossible without external technology would no longer be as difficult.

Chimeras

Chimeras are crosses between humans, and animals. A genetically modified organism like the chimera would change the characteristics of humans so drastically it would not be considered so. The movie The Island of Dr. Moreau is an example of chimeras in fiction.

The Chimera in mythology is a three part creature, with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the legs of a dragon.

The Process

First, the ability that you want to carry over has to be located. If for instance you want to be able to regrow almost everything, you have to find a creature that can do this, like the newt. Then, after isolating the genes that make this happen, you either find what changes you make to your body so that it can carry out this process with fewer changes, or you transfer that whole block of genes and isolate it.

Then, with whatever technique is available, it enters the human body and invades the host cells, inserting itself directly into the genes of that cell.

When to make changes

Changes at conception

Genetic engineering is most easily accomplished by making changes just after the egg and sperm have melded but before first division. In this way, the gene will be expressed throughout with few worries that it did not reach the whole body.

Effects to the germline

There is some controversy about whether genetic changes should be allowed to affect the germline. Affecting the germline means that not only do you, or whoever the genetic engineering was done to, have the changes, but all children conceived after the engineering, and so on, as well.

Changes after conception

Changes after conception, whether child or adult, is often a more desired form of genetic engineering. These changes would ideally take effect, and give the desired outcomes with no side effects. However, there is greater difficulty in reaching the correct parts of the body or the whole body as desired.

Considerations

Interference from laws and politics

Due to tough regulatory laws, research in this field have been stifled to a bare minimum. Experiments with approval were being carried out on people with a variety of diseases, and the experiments tried to insert genes and correct their diseases. However, one person treated died, and furthur research had been cancelled on most if not all projects.

Ethical considerations

We could choose to have changes made to us, but we might also be making the choice for our children if the changes are carried through to the germline. Do we have that right, and how far should we take our ability?

If Gentic Engineering became the way of the future, would people, who's parents could not afford to Genetically 'modify' them while still in an embryo, have a chance of achieving with high standards compared to the people who were 'modified' to be perfect?

Social Considerations

Would society treat genetic engineered people differently, either to a higher or lower standard? What would happen to society that would not change over. Would they be left behind, would they be considered second class humans?

What if this created a different species of human, would they still be able to interbreed, would they want to? What place would genetically engineered humans and regular humans have in society?

Is it ethical to experiment on emryo's- babies yet to be born?

Spiritual Consideration

What would your religious beliefs say about engineered people? Would they be something to be feared, or a gift from god?

Examples

Examples in fiction of Geneticly engineered humans

Movies

Alien:_Resurrection: Ripley is alive in the future, she has been recreated from a gene sample and the queen larva with her. However, the researchers did not expect to find any great mutations in Ripley.
Blade Runner: Humans that were engineered to work in very hostile environments come to earth and have to be hunted down.
GATTACA: a child conceived naturally grows up being treated as a second class citizen. However, he takes on the identity of a genetically engineered conceived person and proves that there are no limit when WILL leads the way.
Soldier: Todd
Resident_Evil:_Apocalypse: Alice - A virus infects alice and in resident evil 2 her body has melded with the virus, accelerating her development, - giving her super strenght, speed, reaction time, ability to heal, as well as the ability to recover from death.
The_Island_of_Dr._Moreau - Dr. Moreau has been experimenting on animals and creating a human like animals.

TV Shows

Andromeda: Tyr and other Nietzscheans
Dark Angel: Max

Books

Lost paradise: Due to accidental involvement with a client, an old man has to take a trip to another world. He enlists as a mercenary to fight for a Japanese colonization group alongside humans and engineered humans. In this sci-fi universe a new breed of humans were created in Sourth America that are smarter, faster, stronger, and more survivable in general. These people are looked down upon and treated worse than animals, with little or no protection given by most governments.

See Also

• Genetic engineering in fiction