Francis Fukuyama - Genetic Engineering (Chp. Our Posthuman Future)

Main Points:
In chapter 5 "Genetic Engineering" of his book Our Post Human Future: Consequences of The Biotechnology Revolution, political philosopher Francis Fukuyama attempts to predict whether genetic engineering (GE below) will ever be used for enhancing human traits. For a definition and explanation of the process of genetic engineering, click here.

Glow in the Dark Kittens - Genetically Engineered (Fox News Sept. 12, 2011)

Is GE of humans likely? For plants like Roundup Ready soybeans and animals like the cats above, the technology already exists and is in actual use to some extent. For humans, Fukuyama seems to believe that it can occur as soon as the main obstacles are overcome.

One main obstacle is the complexity of the relationship between DNA and human traits. Will we ever know which genes influence intelligence and master how to manipulate them? However, as computer technology and understanding of genetic increases, it may only be a matter of time before a number of human gene-trait relations are defined clearly.

Another obstacle is the ethics of human experimentation. Failures in human experiments should not be accepted, so confirmation of the technology will not occur until animal GE experiments are considered extremely reliable. Some governments may choose to never allow human GE because the first child will always be an experiment with potentially unknown consequences. After animal experiments are reliable, will we move to GE on humans?? Fukuyama predicts that experiments WILL occur, especially with somatic gene therapy (for adults by their choice) if the risks of the disease outweigh the risks of the gene therapy. But for embryos, GE experimentation is a completely different matter. (He avoids predicting or arguing anything about embryo experimentation in this chapter--I wonder why? Does he deal with it later?)

Finally, Fukuyama talks about the obstacle or risk that GE will lead to altering human nature on a large scale. In other words, a whole population of humans may develop engineered traits and that may have consequences for human society such as discrimination against those who have or don't have those traits. If GE is only available for rich persons, that would limit the effect on the whole population, but if it becomes inexpensive, human society may be affected.


Mostly importantly, assuming that the technology becomes available, what are the ethical problems or dangers of GE? Experimentation has already been mentioned. Another could be unintended consequences or side-effects. Also, there may be problems with inequality if only some people have access to genetic enhancement and it creates a gap or discrimination. Finally, the issue of eugenics must be considered. If we aim for perfection from genetics, how will we treat people who are born with imperfections?

Reactions?

• My overall reaction is that the issue of GE is critical and must be debated extensively by all countries before the technology becomes available for humans. It could have immense consequences. 
• In that sense, Fukuyama's listing of the risks is valuable. Actually, he does not talk about the risks enough, in my mind. More discussion about the potential dangers is necessary so that they can be weighed against the benefits. Perhaps that comes in the next chapters?
• So...what would I do if I had an opportunity for genetic enhancement in the future? Honestly, I have to admit that I have many things I want to improve about myself. I would prefer to not get bald, to not gain weight even if I eat and drink as I like, and I want to avoid cancer and other diseases if possible. If a GE cure for something like that becomes available, I may consider it. 
• How about selecting traits of children before birth?? My children are wonderful, but if I could have designed my children to be a little less noisy, or a little more mature from an earlier age, that would be tempting (though I love them both just as they are, of course.). Also, I am fortunate to have very healthy children, but parents who struggle with children who are born with diseases may be able to avoid such problems in the future by screening or engineering embryos. Should such trait selection be possible? That will be our debate on Friday.