Human Genetic Engineering - My Point of View

Genetic engineering to many may be just sience fiction; some far-away fantasy of intervening into the human organism. Such outlook can be either the result of lack of infomation, or pure anxiety, as it is a fact that the usage of such technology is about to be applied at everyday basis in a very short time. As I was given the opportunity to express my individual outlook on the issue, I won't be trying to conceal my feelings about it. I believe, that in the end, it is the matter of individual consciousness. Nevertheless, I will try to confront the subject on the basis of merit.

There is no doubt that the thought of curing genetic diseases and disorders such as AIDS is extremely appealing, yet we can not forsee the further mutations in DNA which may be passed to the future generations. The assumption, that with careful consideration and discussion of the risks it would be possible to avoid any major faults of the treatment, is flawed. We are not in power to control every person which may be potentially interested in human genetic engineering. We know however, that there are already several companies ready to put money in the business. Therefore, placing people into the position of an object, shaped according to market forces and parental whims. It leads to the most horrifying conclusion of all; genetic enhancements eventually may result in the segregation in society, as only a small 'elite' would be able to use them. No more than 10% of population would control all aspects of economy, media, entertainment and universities. The rest, those with a natural genome, would be working for them.

I do not try do deny the progress of medicine and all advantages that come with it but it does not take my right to stand against certain attitutes and trends. I strongly believe in the human individuality and (most obviously, when healthy) the natural beauty of each and everyone.

TED - The Dark Secrets of a Surveillance State

http://www.ted.com/talks/hubertus_knabe_the_dark_secrets_of_a_surveillance_state?language=en

surveillance - when someone is watched carefully, especially by the police or army, because they are expected to do something wrong
dissolution - when an organization or an official arrangement ends
wiretapping - the ​action of ​secretly ​listening to other people's ​conversations by ​connecting a ​listening ​device to ​their​ phone
whistle-blower - a ​person who ​tells someone in ​authority about something ​illegal that is ​happening, ​especially in a ​government ​department or a ​company
dissident - someone who criticizes their government in a public way
detain - to keep someone somewhere and not allow them to leave, especially in order to ask them about a crime

The Hazards Of Human Developmental Gene Modification

http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/ViewPage.aspx?pageId=108

benchmark - a level of quality with which other things of the same type can be compared

germline - the gamete-producing cells in a sexually reproducing organism, by means of which genetic material is passed on to subsequent generations

progeny - the ​young or ​offspring of a ​person, ​animal, or ​plant

malformation - the ​condition of being ​wrongly ​formed, or a ​part of something, such as ​part of the ​body, that is ​wrongly ​formed

ramifications - the possible results of an action

fortuitous - (of something that is to ​your ​advantage) not ​planned, ​happening by ​chance

The Threat of Human Genetic Engineering

http://www.hgalert.org/topics/hge/threat.htm

eugenics - the ​idea that it is ​possible to ​improve ​humans by ​allowing only some ​people to ​produce ​children

foetus - a young human or animal that is still developing inside its mother

set out one's stall - to make the necessary arrangements for the achievement of something and show that one is determined to achieve it

infringe on - to limit someone's rights or freedom

charade - a situation which is clearly false, but where people behave as if it is true or serious

lull sb into sth - to make someone ​feel ​safe in ​order to ​trick them

dystopia - (the ​idea of) a ​society in which ​people do not ​work well with each other and are not ​happy

TED - Can Prejudice Ever Be A Good Thing?

https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_bloom_can_prejudice_ever_be_a_good_thing?language=en

bias - when you support or oppose someone or something in an unfair way because you are influenced by your personal opinions
concede - to admit that something is true, even though you do not want to

sway - to persuade someone to change their opinion or decision
go awry - to not happen in the correct way

taint - a mark or trace of something bad, rotten or evil

avenue - a possible way of doing or achieving something

apocryphal - an apocryphal ​story is ​probably not ​true ​although it is often told and ​believed by some ​people to have ​happened
impartiality - an inclination to weigh both views or opinions equally

TED - We Can Now Edit Our DNA. But Let's Do It Wisely

https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_doudna_we_can_now_edit_our_dna_but_let_s_do_it_wisely/transcript?language=en#t-692180

genome - the total amount of genetic information in the chromosomes of an organism, including its genes and DNA sequences.
harness - to make use of (a source of power, eg a river) for some purpose, eg to produce electricity or to drive machinery

progeny - the organism or organisms resulting from sexual or asexual reproduction

helix - something, such as a strand of DNA, having a spiral shape.
cystic fibrosis - the most common congenital disease; the child's lungs and intestines and pancreas become clogged with thick mucus; caused by defect in a single gene; no cure is known'
induce - to cause an increase in the transcription of the RNA of (a gene).
moratorium - a suspension of an ongoing or planned activity

TED - The Enchanting Music of Sign Language

https://www.ted.com/talks/christine_sun_kim_the_enchanting_music_of_sign_language/transcript?language=en#t-223180

score - a written piece of music showing all the parts for instruments and voices

utensil - a tool that you use for doing jobs in the house, especially cooking

vigilant - watching carefully and always ready to notice anything dangerous or illegal

staff - a set of horizontal lines and intermediate spaces used in notation to represent a sequence of pitches, in modern notation normally consisting of five lines and four spaces.

oblivion - the condition or quality of being completely forgotten

delve in/into/inside - to search in a container to try to find something

including society - not excluding any particular groups of people