Our Posthuman Future by Francis Fukuyama is a book about the consequences biotechnology holds for our future.  Specifically, in his chapter “Genetic Engineering,” Fukuyama argues that there are benefits when it comes to genetic engineering, but he fears genetic engineering will be abused by using it as an enhancement tool.  Therefore, Fukuyama believes, it should be regulated against nationally and internationally because we will face serious consequences concerning human nature if not.  I believe that genetic engineering, specifically germ-line engineering, should be legalized and tested because the benefits of germ-line engineering outweigh the consequences, and human nature is what man makes it to be.

             Germ-line engineering should be legalized because the benefits of germ-line engineering outweigh the consequences.  Germ-line engineering has potential to get rid of hereditary diseases if perfected, not only in the fetus itself, but the cure will be passed down to future generations of the individual’s offspring. “Optimists enthusiastically embrace the prospect of using these technologies to eliminate diseases, prolong life and redesign human bodies, personalities, character and intellect. The pessimists argue that these technologies may lead to major social changes for the worse” (Hall).  If germ-line engineering were legalized for testing then currently there would be major advances in the field.  If genetically inherited diseases can be cured, such as cancer, then why not take advantage of the opportunity to make lives less painful.  “…we're not taking seriously enough, what we could do with this miracle new science that's so extraordinary -- about all the good we could do for individuals” (Sommerville).  We don’t have cures for genetically inherited diseases; we only have treatments, in which the patient still suffers.  On the other hand, Fukuyama believes that we have to ban germ-line engineering nationally and internationally because of the risks of abuse.  Fukuyama believes that people will use it as enhancer more than a helper, and that it will end up used only rarely to treat genetic diseases and most often to have “designer babies.”  Fukuyama insists that the rich will pay a lot of money so that they can have smarter, taller, more attractive children.  I believe germ-line engineering should be legalized to help cure human kind of painful genetic diseases, but if the “designer baby” idea actually goes into affect and is used, the government should then have strict control over who can receive germ-line engineering treatment for their fetus.  Even with all the consequences Fukuyama describes in his chapter “Genetic Engineering,” if we can save one human from suffering from the effects of inheriting a disease, then it’s worth facing the consequences presented by Fukuyama and then taking whatever action necessary to fix the problem.  Our government will take action if they see the consequences of germ-line engineering get out of hand.  The consequences that Fukuyama describes are not minor, they are long term.  Therefore, the situation will not be able to get out of hand quickly as long as our government is aware of the consequences before legalizing germ-line engineering. “While occasional "mistakes" are tolerated in animal experiments, the danger of causing congenital defects is one of the reasons why germ-line gene therapy for people has remained taboo” (Coghlan).  Because germ-line engineering hasn’t been perfected because it’s not legal, we need to make it legal so that we can truly see if it a viable treatment for hereditary diseases.  If it is then proven after legalization that the consequences are tremendous, then it should be regulated against, but until then we have to give germ-line research a chance until we are otherwise proven wrong.  There is no way to tell the long term consequences of germ-line engineering unless you start legally testing it from now. 

            Another reason germ-line engineering should be legalized is because human nature is what man makes it to be.  Fukuyama argues that messing with human biology, genes, is messing with human nature.  I believe that if man was given the ability to genetically alter humans, then that’s human nature.  Any power or tool we are given should be fully used.  It’s like being given legs and told not to walk on them.  Using your brain is not only helping human nature, but proving that it exists.  Germ-line engineering is helping human nature, not hurting it, because it’s helping us survive as a species. 

            Overall, the legalization of genetic engineering would be beneficial to those who are suffering from a genetically inherited disease.  We will only find out the truth about the actions of others once germ-line engineering is legalized.  If we have to face minor consequences in order for a small group of people to feel less pain, then it’s worth it.

Coghlan, Andy. “We Have the Power: A Safer Way of Altering Genes Will Make Engineering Humans More Tempting Than Ever.” New Scientist 23 October 1999. Human Germline Engineering. UCLA Program on Medicine, Technology and Society. http://research.mednet.ucla.edu/pmts/germline/articles.htm

Fukuyama, Francis. Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2002.

Hall, Wayne. "Our Posthuman Future; Redesigning Humans." The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 July 2002. smh.com.au. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/07/26/1027497411082.html 

Sommerville, Jane. "Parental Rights and Limits: We Must Err on the Side of Respecting Human Life". June 1999. Human Germline Engineering. UCLA Program on Medicine, Technology and Society. http://research.mednet.ucla.edu/pmts/germline/Parental%20Rights/prframes.htm

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