Eugenics- the Future of Genetics

Brian Jordahl

EUGENICS- THE FUTURE OF GENETICS

Brian Jordahl()

Brian Jordahl

INTRODUCTION

Consider for a moment the possibility that scientists could engineer your baby to have blue eyes and blonde hair, or to ensure that they have no genetic mutations. Consider the possibility that scientists could decide how a person will look, what diseases they may carry, or how they may act before the person is even conceived. This notion may sound preposterous, as if it were stolen from the plot of a science fiction novel. This technology, often called modern eugenics, involves the manipulation of the genes inside of an embryo to alter the fetus. The technology is very controversial, and is not currently legal in many places, however, as realization of it’s true potential comes about and it begins to be used, people will begin to reap the benefits of this new technology.

Sir Francis Galton coined the term Eugenics in 1883 to describe the manipulation of social factors and societal living conditions to enhance the standard of life for people living in hopes of ameliorating the future generations [1]. The term’s meaning changed as time passed, especially in the 1930’s and 1940’s, with the rise of the Nazi Party. Their idea of eugenics was only allowing those whom they deemed “fit” to reproduce to do so. This led to the mass genocide of people they considered “unfit” in order to create their own Aryan race, a race of people who were superior to everyone else in all aspects [2]. Modern eugenics is now a scientific idea to describe the manipulation of genes of people or fetuses in order to enhance their quality of life. The specific technology to be discussed here is often termed “Negative Genetic Engineering.” Positive genetic engineering is the altering of embryonic genes in order to enhance the fetus’s quality of life by increasing their mental capabilities or augmenting other important attributes. Negative genetic engineering refers to the manipulation of genes in order to treat or cure diseases, which are caused by genetic mutations.

HOW AND WHY IT WORKS

There are multiple ways to alter the genes of a person/embryo. One technique, that already exists, is for people who are living and fully formed and it involves implanting a virus with RNA which has been corrected to cure the genetic disease that the person has. This RNA will be converted into DNA by the virus and then imbedded into the cells of the person.

Another way, which this paper will focus on, is by changing the genotypes of the fertilized egg before it is implanted into the mother. This process is done during In Vitro Fertilization which is the process of creating a human embryo by implanting the sperm cell directly into the egg cell. The fertilized egg cell can then be screened for genetic mutations associated with disease and disorders by a process known as Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)[3]. This process ensures that the implanted embryo is free of disease causing mutations, preventing health complications in the future. PGD is also a very controversial process as eggs found to have genetic disorders are often discarded. Another option for pre-implantation therapy is to alter the genotypes of the embryo after fertilization. This option is a very technical process, but a common technique for accomplishing this is to implant the bacteria Agrobacterium Tumefasciens [4] with the altered DNA to replace the disease causing DNA.A third technique to accomplish the same goal by replacing faulty DNA with new is to insert DNA into a carrier protein called a vector. This vector can cut the genetic chain and insert the corrected gene into the chain [5]. The procedure has a low success rate as of now because the genes are much too small to simply implant them in the correct place, so where the genes are implanted is not a factor that can be controlled.These techniques, in general, are much more successful than gene therapy in adults because the implantation does not have to work in trillions of cells. For adult gene therapy, all of the cells of the body have already been created, and therefore must all be replaced with new cells. In the case of replacement before implantation, there are no old cells to slow the process. This method fixes the problem before it even is a problem. By doing this treatment it helps the embryo and all further generations as well because the altered DNA will now be passed along. Negative genetic engineering has the capability of treating or curing genetic diseases such as hemophilia, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome (SCIDS), congenital blindness and muscular dystrophy among others.

THE POTENTIAL OF THIS TECHNOLOGY

Despite the current low success rate, as better protocols are discovered the potential of this life changing procedure continues to grow. As of now, manygenetic diseases can be debilitating for those plagued by them. Hemophiliacs live in constant fear of even the most minor cuts and scrapes because they lack enough platelets in their bodies, which are the element of blood that helps to clot. Also, people suffering from Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome often cannot even go into public without fear of contracting infectious diseases because their bodies lack the lymphocytes necessary to fight infection [6]. The treatment or even eradication of these ruthless genetic diseases would benefit society as a whole in ways that people would have never thought possible. People live in constant fear of having children because of the concern that their children will be plagued with these awful disorders. The ability to lessen this mental burden and allow for people to freely reproduce and have healthy children can help everyone’s state of mind. Also, there are caretakers and people who have to spend time and money taking care of the people plagued by these disorders. Living expenses for these people will decrease and so too will they gain time back that previously would have been spent struggling to cope with their disease. Furthermore, if this technique of manipulating genes is made better it may help gene therapy for adults. Gene therapy could work to cure other disorders related to people’s genetics, like cancer. As of now, scientists have tried to cure cancer by altering the genes inside of cells, which have been mutated. These mutated genes cause proteins to be produced incorrectly, often leading to an influx of the proteins. When these proteins are too abundant, the cell begins to proliferate uncontrollably, causing cancer cell growth [7]. By manipulating the genes in these cells, they can slow the growth of the cancer cells. If this process of manipulating genes can be enhanced to the point that scientists can be confident in it’s success, then we may be able to find cures and treatments for even more disorders than just those which have been previously discussed.

PERSONAL IMPORTANCE

Some engineers create cars that can run on alternate fuels while others develop new hearts to help those with life threatening heart diseases. No matter what they are inventing, engineers’ main goal is to increase the quality of life for others. As an aspiring Bioengineer with a particular interest in genetics, this topic especially grabbed my attention during research. The idea that I could make people’s lives easier and improve their quality of lifeprincipally intrigues me; to think that I could have a part in the elimination of some very serious genetic diseases is exhilarating. I feel that this technology and the ability to completely rid people of these cripplingdisorders would truly increase the quality of life for everyone. The people afflicted can live easier lives, as too can those who are forced to care for those whom are suffering. As well, bills could decrease for those afflicted, as constant treatment for people with these disorders can get incredibly expensive.A topic like this expresses my main goals as a bioengineer of trying to increase the quality of life for society. I want to be a part of projects, research and work that helps to create better lives for everyone. This is how I see engineering as a whole; I envision it as creating and formulating ideas and projects that will make people’s lives easier.

WHY THIS TECHNOLOGY IS WORTH IT

The potential of Eugenics in the future of genetic diseases is staggering andexhilarating. The ability to alter the genes of a person or embryo, especially before implantation into the mother, is incredible and invaluable. To be able to rid a family of a genetic disease that has plagued them for generations, or to ensure a normal life for someone otherwise doomed to a life of struggle with medications and constant medical attention could change families, relationships and society as a whole in incredible ways. Time and money must be devoted to this potentially life changing procedure as it helps more than just the person being treated. Being able to saveall of the future generations of a bloodline from a condition that could afflict all of the people within a family would mean a completely different life for them. These families would be able to have children with a clear mind and not have to worry about the struggle that comes along with terrible diseases like hemophilia and SCIDS. Eugenics can, and should, be the future of genetics and treatment of disorders that have plagued even the most well known families of the world. Work must be done to end the struggle that has been fought with genetic disorders to create a better life for everyone.

REFERENCES

[1] (2014) Eugenics(First Edition) [Online]. Available:

[2] L. Hix. (2009, July 23). Modern Eugenics: Building a better person?(First Edition) [Online] Available:

[3] American Pregnancy Association. (2014, September). Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: PGD. [Online] Available:

[4] PSRAST. (2011, December). How are genes engineered? [Online] Available:

[5] Genetics Home Reference. (2014, September 22). How does gene therapy work? [Article] Available:

[6] American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy. (2010). Gene Therapy for Genetic Disorders [Online] Available:

[7] MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). Gene Therapy [Online]. Available:

ADDITIONAL SOURCES

Council for Responsible Genetics. (2013). Human Genetic Engineering Current Science and Ethical Implications [Online}. Available:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the librarians of the Bevier Engineering Library and my writing instructor, Janine Carlock, for their help in choosing a topic, developing ideas and facilitating the writing process. I would also like to thank my friends and floormates of Floor Four Nordenberg Hall as we discussed topics and helped to generate ideas for this assignment.