Embracing a New Biology

Embracing a New Biology

New technology is not only made up of the mechanical gadgetry that we find ourselves so connected to, but also through biological alteration possibilities such as genetic therapy, gene diagnosis, or neural modification.

Recent genetic discoveries have begun to suggest the possibility of another form of prosthetic for humankind. By adding, subtracting, or flipping on and off certain genes that are connected to certain traits (i.e. disease, depression, anger, intelligence, athleticism, creativity, etc.) it will be possible to create an individual who is made up of the characteristics we would want them to possess. This is related to the designer baby controversy being debated in media today. The opposition returns once again to the religious, economic, and unnatural arguments and the benefits often argued are obviously a better species, with no disease, disability, bad temperament, bad looks, etc. Parents could decide for themselves what sort of child they would want to bear. Through genetic preparation these sorts of controls could be exerted, to a certain extent, over the make-up of a child.

More accepted than designer babies, though not yet widely so, are the possible benefits derived from gene therapy. In recent studies, it has been shown that through implementing specific alteration in genetic makeup benefits can be seen in areas such as anti-aging, curing diseases such as Alzheimers, increased mental stamina, ending baldness and alcoholism, memory retension, etc. Through advances in gene therapy we can introduce the same benefits provided by genetic changes made in reaction to PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) before IVF (in vitro fertilization).

With such possibilities on the verge of being readily available, it is important to keep an open mind toward genetic alterations. By doing so we may see a dramatic increase in bodily well-being and mindfulness within our species as a whole.


*excerpt from Formatting Gaia: A Comprehensive Outline of the Photographic Work

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