The Age of Genetic Technology Arrives (Literature & Language Essay)

The Age of Genetic Technology Arrives
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Significant changes and developments have been achieved about genetic knowledge and technology, and since the structure of DNA was first announced, scientists have been focused on making discoveries about gene therapies to manage genetic diseases effectively. Different discoveries have been actualized by genetic technology, and the Human Genome Project made it possible to disclose the DNA sequence of thousands of human genes. The numerous developments made in genetic technology have promoted the biotech business the inventions aimed at providing projects to help cure diseases, reduce suffering, and prolong life. Leon Kass has persuasively diagnosed the challenges biotechnological projects through evaluating the uncertainty surrounding genetic technology, explaining the problems linked to genetic self-knowledge and genetic knowledge, and examining how technology interferes with people's freedom.
The genetic technology developments have facilitated substantial public concern and that there these technologies are perceived differently from biomedical technologies. Most importantly, even individuals who have witnessed and appreciated the amazing genetic achievement made in the last few decades are doubtful and unsure of these new developments in genetic technologies. The most exciting bit of it is the increased growth of genetic engineering which has resulted in the increased proficiency in diagnosis of specific genetic disorders through precise or targeted genetic treatment. The author explains that although the new technology facilitates the traditional medical project, it also represents new discoveries that are rather general and unsettling. In other terms, the current advancements are more like the Pandora’s Box. There are a lot of unknowns that will come along with the advancements in genetic technologies. Some of these unknowns might be quite grey areas for the society to handle.[Kass, L. (2002). The Age of Genetic Technology Arrives. 191-139.]
Kass has explained that genetic engineering has increased access to gaining genetic knowledge. However, there are concerns that one's genetic knowledge may be leaked to unauthorized individuals, and this could have damaging impacts such as challenges getting a job or seeking medical services such as life insurance. Additionally, more problems are realized when a person acquires information about his or her genetic knowledge; this is because people may find out that they carry a predisposition to some conditions such as Schizophrenia, behavioral disorders, and in some situation, people may find that they are at risk of untreatable disease. Therefore, although understanding one's genetic knowledge can help predict some disease and seek early treatment, it can also have undesirable implications when people find about their serious medical situations. This it would be beneficial to live wisely with relatively less certain information.[Kass, L. (2002). The Age of Genetic Technology Arrives. 191-139.]
Genetic technologies may also compromise human freedom. According to Kass, man is always looking for ways to increase his superiority over nature. The power won by man is also considered power over the man. While the adv...