The Conflict Between Human Rights And Biotechnological Evolution

In 1997, Dolly the sheep became the first mammal ever to be successfully cloned. This was a major breakthrough in the field of genetic engineering and since then scientists worldwide have been trying to replicate the success in other mammals such as pigs, mice, cows, primates and even humans. However, the idea of genetic modification by using biotechnology existed way before Dolly did and was a cornerstone to the Nazi ideology and eugenics was used as a justification to commit heinous crimes against humanity such as genocide.[1]

Today, one of the most perilous issues but unfortunately one which has gained scarce global attention is whether humans should be genetically modified. This question raises several moral, ethical, legal and scientific considerations and is an extremely sensitive issue. The startling contemporary truth is that technology is at a stage where it is possible for scientists to clone humans and genetically engineer them.[2]

Genetically modifying humans has the potential to violate human rights and freedom and could possibly lead to catastrophic consequences for the human race if legalized and encouraged. Manipulating...