When this manipulation is carried out, it favors subsequent generations from therapy since the bad traits would not be passed on to other generations. Therefore, by undergoing therapy, individuals can reduce the risk of passing dangerous infections, abnormalities or traits to the subsequent generations. The physicians should show some ethical concern by first briefing the patient on what to expect after the manipulation. This will encourage the patient to undergo treatment since his or her anticipation is that no abnormality or alteration of the normal genes will take place.
Ethical issues in regard to germ line therapy results since the development of the technology enables physicians to carry out various experiments on embryo of human origin which will hence be invariably be lost in the course of manipulation process since human embryo also have their weight morally, they can be evaluated on ethical deliberation which will show understanding of germ line therapy technical aspect. (Anna & Elias, 1992, p. 87) In an answer given to the question whether the human germ line therapy should be pursued, ethical aspect of therapy should be considered and advantages and disadvantages of the therapy
Mainly, gene therapy encompasses the idea of making changes in one’s body. The idea of therapy raises many ethical concerns. The questions which need to be addressed in evaluating the ethical issue of gene therapy. • How advantages or disadvantages of therapy can be distinguished. • Who will be able to decide which genes can result to abnormalities and the ones which are normal so that those genes which are changed will not result to disability in individuals? • The cost of therapy should be set in way it will help everyone not those who are wealthy only.
• Consideration should also be based on use of gene therapy to enhance human traits. • Acceptability of those people who need gene therapy in the society since side effects can result. The effect on germ line is usually experienced by the unborn who are not in a position of choosing whether they should have treatment or not. Therefore, when decisions are being made long term effects and other factors need to be considered greatly so that the unborn would not be at risk and also treatment need to be initiated so that the child at long last would not will not face the risk of disease which could be controlled at fetus stage.
The modification of genes can result to permanent alternation of genes which are usually expressed in subsequent generation. By carrying out these therapies, one should be aware of advantages and disadvantages to be faced as a result of this therapy. (Prior, 1993, p. 237) Modification of genes. Advantage that is experienced in the case of gene therapy is that disease traits which are usually inherited can be modified through gene therapy.
This will help the subsequent generation to be free of these bad traits which are usually in parent. The fetus can grow free of these diseases since genes are usually interchanged at early stages of development and at this stage only parents can make decision over their future generation. Otherwise whether the therapy will yield positive or negative results, the consequence can be felt by the parent since the traits which will hence be changed will be portrayed to the child who will be born after therapy.
Therefore, ethically one has to consider both positive and negative aspects of therapy since in ethical issues good has to greatly outweigh the negative aspect that individuals will get from therapy. (Fletcher & Ritcher, 1996, p. 1610) Since therapy is meant to correct a disease condition or disability in genetic line up, it’s important for it to be viewed as ethically important practice which will help to cure the disease since the negative aspects rarely occur and therefore the risks are minimal.
As a matter of ethical issues, physicians should be able to evaluate those genes which are needed to alleviate the genes which are causing disease condition and other genes which are not required and can result to deformities. (Anderson, et al, 1990, pp. 350) These are the risks that most people fear in human germ line therapy since it’s needed that these manipulations should be carried out by experienced individual.
The operation needs a thorough research which ensures that no mistake should be carried over to the operation or on change of genes. A lot of care needs to be taken so that the genes which are modified will not result to disability or cause another disease condition which will affect other cells which are normal. Ethics demand the physicians to be accurate and conversant with genes which are being replaced so that the act can be for good to many individuals who undertake it which can hence result to it being ethically accepted.