Cancer continues to be a major health issue among the world effecting and killing millions of people each year. DNA technology researches have finally developed a gene editing tool in order to enable the cure to cancer. However, there are debates on whether genetic engineering of the human DNA is a safe course of action since the after effects are unknown. The debates against gene editing imply that it has no predictable effects on the future generations of the people while debates for gene editing imply that since this was developed it stopped tumours from growing and might be the answer to eliminating cancer. Therefore, should genes be modifies in order to treat cancer?
Biological Background
Cancer (carcinoma) is a type of disease of the body cells. When a cancerous tumour spreads, cells divide and travel to other body parts through blood or lymph where they then destroy tissues and grow into tumours. After heart disease cancer is the most feared death cause, however there are cases where patients are being cured from it and improvements to diagnosis and treatment are being …show more content…
It could have a negative impact on the important work which involves using gene editing techniques in non reproductive cells. From Edward Lanphier’s and many scientists like Fyodor Urnov and Sarah Ehlen point of view, genome editing has no predictable effects in the future generations which makes it that much more dangerous and unacceptable. They are in concern that the public will react in anger and disapproval which may hold back the development of this research and making genetic changes that can not be inherited. In their opinion, scientists should discontinue modifying the DNA of reproductive human cells and encourage an open discussion around the appropriate decisions.(Lanphier, 12 March