Conrad: As Greg Bear makes evident in his novel, Darwin�s Radio, manipulating genes is unnatural. Though just a storyline for a B-class science fiction novel, the idea of the reawakening of previously "junk" DNA is something to consider. In the novel, the primary character, portrayed by scientist Kaye, is on the brink of discovering a retrovirus called SHEVA that has been causing deaths amongst women in highly populated societies as well as miscarriages. The sudden spread of this disease was found to have connections to past epidemics, from which the preserved bodies of some ancient women were found to have had the same symptoms. Inactivity for centuries and then a sudden explosion of the epidemic led scientists to believe that evolutionary forces were involved.

The junk DNA that was awakened during the novel from past incidences can be compared to the genetic manipulation that we find today or may find in the future. What are the possible side effects of such manipulation? As the novel can attest to, awakening certain unexpressed genes to obtain desired traits in offspring that were not made to be expressed can have serious side effects. If those unexpressed genes are unnaturally expressed by human power, then how do we know that that was not for good reason? Perhaps we can view that manipulation and awakening of genes as an anachronistic act: Those genes were simply not expressed because the evolutionary circumstances for which they do not occur do not allow them to do so. Society is simply incapable of being able to correctly predict the long-term effects of gene manipulation.

Robert Graham, the Director of the Repository for Germinal Choice in Escondido, California, believes that we owe it to future generations to try and maximize the genetic endowment of at least some of its yet-to-be-born members by carefully selecting which genes we pass along from us to them (Vancourt).

Promethia: But, the real impact of new techniques such as the transplantation of sperm stem cells, embryo biopsy and genetic testing of sperm and eggs is likely to be seen in the conduct of individual parents seeking to fulfill their aspirations and dreams for their children. These techniques may even become an everyday practice viewed by society as what loving parents do for their children. It is less likely that population eugenics will be forced by the imposition of a governmental mandate that forces everyone to have children with the intent of creating a mass-produced society (Site 4).

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