Genetic Engineering

March 15, 2012

 

Dear Mr. President,

My name is Mallory. I am a student at Parkway West Middle School, and I am writing to you today to share my thoughts about genetic engineering. I have seen articles about genetic alteration, and it interested me because I had not heard people talking about it anywhere. I became interested because I think it is kind of ironic that parents want to "pick" their child, but parents always say they will love their children no matter what.

Our economy is already in a great economic struggle, and further studying/usage of this technique will only continue to negatively change the economy and society we face now. We shouldn't be arguing about this while our economy suffers so horribly. Maybe after our economic issues dwindle, we can begin to worry about our children's genes. Also, if we begin to allow genetic engineering, students will be affected, especially because they are likely to lack confidence and individuality. If people are altered to be smarter, those who weren't altered could feel unimportant or even unneeded. Besides a lack of confidence and lack of individuality in our society, a great bias will arise. China's one child policy is already creating a gender imbalance. We might begin to see some of the same gender discrimination they are seeing in China. Furthermore, this procedure is sure to be expensive for a family to use, creating another problem. Not only would gene alteration reinstate gender discrimination, but it would increase class discrimination as well, as most likely only the wealthy would be able to afford it. If some people are genetically altered to be near perfect, but others can't afford it, the bias will grow even larger. Clearly, genetic engineering shouldn't be allowed because of the negative effects it will cause our country.

However, many people disagree and think genetic alteration should be allowed because it can be an early attempt in the child's life to eliminate disease. Granted, that's a great reason to keep this procedure; however, the thinking is flawed. Genetic engineering can cause defects in the child who is being altered. Is avoiding one disease to possibly get another from the alteration really worth anything? What is the point of changing a child to be how you want him or her to be, but harming the child in the process by increasing chances of other diseases or defects? The process of genetic engineering can harm not just the child, but the mother, too. Nobody knows exactly what harm or defects can come because it's usually an unpredictable issue. Being able to eliminate disease would be wonderful, but we will never be able to dispose of all diseases forever.

Eliminating genetic engineering would be the smartest solution. By sharing with others what harm and issues this procedure will bring, we can end genetic engineering together. This will be one step toward a better economy for the entire country. By continuing the study of genetic alteration, we are just heading toward another source of debt, leading our economy to further suffering, and letting bias take over.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this letter and for all you do for our country!

 

Sincerely,

Mallory

Parkway West Middle School

St. Louis, Missouri

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