1. A brief summary of the article
The article “Gene editing technique could transform future” by Fergus Walsh, which appears in BBC news, discusses the advancements made by genetic engineering in the realm of gene splicing and manipulation. The CRISPR technology allows scientists to produce clearly defined results when attempting to make changes at the genetic level. One important concept that arises from this technical development is the ability to alter or repair damaged DNA. This could have profound implications for health and medicine, which has led genetic engineers to pursue it to a greater degree. However, Walsh indicates that many experts fear the negative impacts of this technology as well, including a resurgence of eugenics and other forms of genetic discrimination (Walsh).
2. An explanation of how the details of the story relate to at least two concepts from classs
The article is essentially discussing the values that are inherent within the development of new engineering principles and capabilities. Within the book, it is mentioned that, while technology can play a profound role in propelling humanity forward, it also comes with a variety of implications. These include dramatic changes in how people view the world, demonstrating the need to “adopt a critical attitude toward technology” (Harris, Pritchard, and Rabins 97). The article also demonstrates the need to critically assess risk. An engineer's approach to risk should be grounded in the establishment of specific values regarding the perceived impact of new technologies on society as a whole. Providing enough information for people to make decisions in a free and open way is therefore necessary. This presents the need to assess the “probabilities and magnitudes of harm” (Harris, Pritchard, and Rabins 150). In doing so, engineers are able to mitigate the potential threats to public well-being that might be instigated by their work.
3. An evaluation of the actors in the case according to some of the ethical principles or ideas we have seen in the course material
The use of techniques to manipulate genes could be potentially unethical due to the implications that such values could have on the idea of discrimination. People being able to manipulate their children's genes, or even their own, breaks down fundamental barriers that have been used in order to define what makes people human. For this reason, the use of this technology should be critically assessed. Engineers developing CRISPR technology should consider the implications of the use of such methods before contributing to greater forms of its use. In doing so they will be able to better serve the populations that their working is progressing towards helping.
Works Cited
Harris, Charles E., Pritchard, Michael S., and Rabins, Michael J. Engineering Ethics. Wadsworth. 2005. Print.
Walsh, Fergus. Gene editing technique could transform future. BBC News-Health. 2016. Web. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36439260.
