Genetic Engineering in humanso 'The deliberate modification of the characters of

an organism by the manipulation of genetic material'.

o Used to find cures or prevention for diseases and disabilities in humans.

o It can affect large numbers of people.o Defective inherited genes can cause mental

retardation, physical deformity or early death.o Scientists research into: cystic fibrosis, muscular

dystrophy, sickle-cell anaemia, Tay-Sachs disease and Huntington's chorea.

• Most genetic research has been based on:o Germline gene therapy. It enebles genetic

changes to be made to those cells that transmit information from one generation to the next, enabling permanent changes to be made.

o Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). It removes defective genes from embryos so that women at risk of producing babies with disease such as cystic fibrosis produce healthy babies.

Non-religious Arguments

For• Genetic engeneering is

part of genetic research which is safely monitored by government.

• May cure incurable diseases. Can save more and more lives.

• Should be avaible for all who can afford it.

 

AgainstToo little information about the long-term consequences Could have effects that are irreversible and might become permanent It places too much power in the hands of scientists Treats the human body as a commodity

Catholics and Genetic Engineering

They believe that okay so long as it is only used for curing diseases and does not use human embryos

-Life Begins at the moment of conception

-Killing an embryo for research has been banned by the Bible and the

Church

-Embryos for research have been produced by methods which the

Catholic Church disagrees

Christian attitudes to Genetic engineering

            Liberal protestants believe genetic engineering is good and should be supported by the church. it should only be used to cure diseases, not to create perfect humans. supports human fertilization and embryology authority. They believe this because:- Jesus was a healer, we should do all we can to cure diseases. "heal the sick"- Humans are gods stewards therefore should discover genetic make-up of humans to improve human life.- Genetic research is no different to the research of beneficial drugs.- creating cells is different from creatng people. creating people without sex = wrong as it interferes with Gods role in creation. creating cells is okay because you are working with God.- embryos are not regarded as human lives until they are 14 days old, for genetic research.- they acept non -religious arguments for genetic engineering.

Hinduism and Genetic Engineering.Most hindu's believe in Genetic engineering because there is a difference between creating cells and creating humans. Creating cells is working with God to help humans.Emrbyo's aren't considered potential human life until they are 14 days old by thehuman fertilisation and Embryology authority.Hindu's should do all they can to protect humans and prevent diseases.Some hindu's are opposed to Genetic Engineering because its against karma  and due to their beliefs in ahimsa.

Sikhism and Genetic Engeneering  •  FOR• Great respect for individual life and would do

anything to cure diseases• There is a difference between creating cells and

creating people• genetic engeneering can be used as a form of

service for the sick • AGAINST • However  the cycle of birth and death is

interfered • A soul is born at the moment of conception, so

an embryo is considered a person

Islam and Genetic Engineering

Some muslims are opposed to any form of GE because they believe...• Only God can alter the genetic makeup of humans• Research on embryos is the same as abortion which is wrong• Creating a life is acting like God which is a sin• They accept many non-religious arguments against GE

Some believe GE is alright as long as it is used to find cures and is not used to create the 'perfect human' because they believe...• Qur'an and many hadith say Muslims should do what they can to cure disease• God wants humans to find ways to improve human health• Creating cells is working with God. Creating humans is working against and

that is not what they're doing.• Embryos are not considered as human lives until 14 days old.

BUDDHISM AND GENETIC ENGINEERING

There are no exact buddhist teaching on genetic engineering. But buddhist beileve that the mind and spirit are interrelated with the body adn one effects the other, so if you use this technology to change the body it effects the mind.

Also Buddhist beileve in not using life in an instrumental way, as this is agianst theri ebilev

Islam and Genetic Engineering

ForThe Qur'an and hadith teach that Muslims should do all they can to cure disease. Discovering genetical make up of humans is part of what God wants us to do as vice-gerents it's no different from drug research Creating people by science is wrong but creating cells is working with GodEmbryos cannot be human life until it is fourteen days old

AgainstGenetic make up of humans is established by God and so God can only alter it.  Life begins at conception and so killing embryos would be like abortion which is wrong The scientists are acting like God and this is the most unforgivable sin They accept non-religious arguments against.

Judaism and Genetic Engineering

Orthodox Jews Life begins at conceptionKilling embryos is killing human lifeEmbryos for research have been produced by disagreeable methods.

Liberal JewsBelieve the same things but they also believe that embryos can be used.