Recent
advances in science and technology have made it possible for geneticists to
find out abnormalities in the unborn foetus and take remedial action to rectify
some defects which would otherwise prove to be fatal to the child. Though
genetic engineering is still at tis infancy, scientists can now predict with
greater accuracy, a genetic disorder. It is not yet an exact science since they
are not in a position to predict when exactly a genetic disorder will set in.
While they have not yet been able to change the genetic order of the gene in
germs, they are optimistic and are holding about that in the near future they
might be successful in achieving this feat. They have, however, acquired the
ability to manipulate tissue cells. However, genetic mis-information can sometimes
be damaging for it may adversely affect people psychologically. Genetic
information may lead to a tendency to brand some people as inferiors. Genetic
information can therefore be abused and its application in deciding the sex of
the foetus and its subsequent abortion is now hotly debated on ethical lines.
But on this issue geneticists cannot be squarely blamed though this charge has
often been leveled at them. It is mainly a societal problem. At present genetic
engineering is a costly process of detecting disorders but scientists hope to
reduce the costs when technology becomes more advanced. This why much progress
in this area has been possible in scientifically advanced and rich countries
like the U.S.A., U.K., and Japan. It remains to be seen if in the future this
science will lead to the development of a race of supermen or will be able to
obliterate illness from this world.
Q: At present genetic engineering can rectify all genetic disorders. Is it so?
