The world is continuing disruption in the way things are done. Each day, there is an increasing application of technology in the execution of science-related duties. The primary benefits of the application of technology in science relate to improved efficiency as well as getting more accurate and superior outcomes. Such is evident in different scientific fields including medical practice. Despite the various benefits that can be directly traced to the use of different technologies, certain intrinsic challenges are associated with the application of emergent technologies that seek to revolutionise humankind. Ethical concerns dominate some of the issues associated with the adoption of technology today. This paper elaborates on the various ethical concern raised in different technologies applied in science as well as makes proposals on the best measures that could be taken to avert the ethical issues.
Ethical Issues
One of the areas that have been significantly impacted by advancement in technology is the medical field and gene technology. A host of new technologies aimed at enhancing the lives of humans are in place today. The latest advancement in the field of genetic manipulation is CRISPR-has 9 technology. CRISPR refers to a technique that enables research scientists and genetic practitioners to edit the human genome of a person. Through the editing, the technology permits scientists to silence the undesired genes and insert those that would lead to the preferred traits. This according to Mulvihill (2017, p. 2), CRISPR provides a cut and paste capacity in the editing of the genome makes it revolutionary in the practice of genetic manipulation. As a result, editing the genome through the CRISPR technology is superior to the conventional genetic engineering approaches.
The ethical issues associated with the CRISPR-cas9 technology are based on the enhanced capacity of scientists to accomplish different goals through the technology. Though the technology is advanced, it is associated with same ethical issues that characterised preceding genetic technologies. One of the ethical concerns was trait selection. The editing of a person’s genome may confer benefits in the management of specific disease such as cancer where traditional interventions such as cancer treatment are not sufficient. However, the technology could be used to enhance traits leading to the creation of new inequalities in the society (Ardekani, 2009, p. 3). Such is likely to arise through the commercialisation of the process of gene editing so that it is accessible to those with the financial capacity. As a consequence of this technology, the society may experience a set of new attributes leading to inequalities. For instance, the higher social class may prefer their children to have a superior characteristic such as higher IQ compared to those who may lack the capacity to procure the services of gene manipulation scientists.
In addition to the establishment if inequalities, the application of the CRISPR-cas9 and other gene manipulation technologies may also lead to more disastrous implications which is a deviation from its intended purpose. In particular, there are concerns about the dangerous implications of the use of CRISPR-cas9 technology in the creation of superior traits. As described by Knoepfler (2015), the application of the technology in the creation of design babies may create people who are more vulnerable to different diseases or some other inefficiencies that adversely compromise their quality of life. A similar view is shared by Ledford (2015, p. 21) argues that the technology could result in stray and potentially dangerous edits. Further, he notes that the resulting organisms may disrupt the ecosystem. Through this, the technology, and genetic engineering raises a question whether it is ethically justifiable to procure a process that may lead to unfavourable outcomes, especially when such a process can be avoided.
Stem cell technology which is gaining momentum in the field of medicine also poses ethical challenges in the society. The technology is based on the capacity of a cell to be grown into different cells of the body (Volarevic, 2018, p. 36). The application of the stem cell technology offers hope to patients affected by genetic and autoimmune disorders as well as for the generation of tissues and other biomaterials that has application in the field of medicine. Despite this enormous potential, there are some ethical concerns associated with the application of stem cell technology. Ethical issues in stem cell technology are because of a human embryo as the source of stem cell. A prevalent question that raises moral concern is whether it is ethically acceptable to utilise early human embryo for the exploration of novel therapies at the expense of the destruction of a young boy (Volarevic et al., 2018, p. 37). The underlying argument for those against the use of stem cell technology views it as a destruction of life at a formative stage of the beginning of life. As such, while the technology is helpful in rekindling the hope of a leading a healthy life, the destruction of an embryo is considered unethical in from the perspective of different people.
The ethical concern relating to the manipulation of genetics also leads to the possible creation of super-soldiers. The use of science to enhance the abilities of soldiers is not a new concept. One of the ways through which nations are already using to enhance the performance of the soldiers in the battle is modifying their diets. However, the new technologies can use scientific information in other unethical ways to improve the performance of their soldiers. Genetic alteration is one of the ways countries are now trying to use in creating super-soldiers. Genetic changes may aim at altering the cognitive abilities of the soldier not to fear while in the battlefield. Besides, the changes may aim at increasing their accuracy, strength and speed while fighting. These new abilities will increase the survival chances of the soldiers through reducing mistakes and enhancing their response. Achieving such abilities will involve the use of gene therapies to cause alterations.
However, the use of these technologies for creating super soldiers present significant ethical concerns. The first ethical concern is the consent of the soldiers to undergo these treatments (Beard, Galliott " Lynch, 2016). Some of these therapies and interventions may be confidential, and soldiers only realise after undergoing the process. Secondly, changing the cognitive abilities of a person may affect their ability to act as other humans. Some of these soldiers may develop aggressive behaviours even after leaving the battlefields. Besides, these soldiers retain their new abilities even after the conflicts. Therefore, they will pose a significant danger to members of their families and other people in the societies. Genetic alterations may also have other health effects to the soldiers that will only become evident in long-term. Therefore, enhancement of the soldiers using genetic changes is unethical due to possible health impacts and harm to other individuals in the societies.
Solutions to the Ethical Concerns
One of the solutions that could prevent unethical exploitation of these technologies is passing policies banning their use in various regions and nations. Developed countries with high scientific capabilities will always have individuals advocating for exploitation of these concepts due to potential gains. However, the presence of strict regulations can help in deterring most of these unethical activities due to fear of prosecution. Nations are already showing commitments in the prevention of genetic modification of human beings. Members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have policies that control the ethical use of genetic technologies (Ardekani, 2009). Other regional organisations such as Council of Europe, European Union, African Union and the Group of Eight have guidelines banning the use of genetic engineering in the reproduction of human beings.
Besides, there is a need to pass laws at the country levels to ban other forms of unethical use of biotechnology to enhance human performance. The United States is one of the nations that is already giving their air force pilots drugs to maintain alertness. Such actions can have adverse effects on the health of the soldiers even after completing their service period. Therefore, regulations at the national levels will ensure that people within these nations do not exploit loopholes presented by regional and global policies. Moreover, incorporation of these regulations into the national laws will increase the chances of prosecuting individuals who carry out the unethical practices.
The armies need to have comprehensive effort in preventing repercussions of soldiers’ enhancements (Singer, 2015, n.p). Controlling the use of these technologies in the armed forces may be difficult due to their secretive nature. However, proper planning and consideration of the technologies to exploit can have a significant impact in reducing unethical practices. Moreover, strategies to prevent these practices should take place before their implementation as testing to see the results.
Another possible solution to deal with cases of unethical usage of technology is sanctioning the nations that promote such practices. In cases where a country funds these activities, international organisations should propose sanctions. This strategy will ensure that nation stops such unethical practices since the country will be experiencing adverse economic impacts.
Conclusion
The advancement of technologies brings significant ethical challenges in the biological field. Some individuals are seeking to exploit these technologies for their gain that raises ethical concerns. Stem cell technology is one of the techniques that raises ethical concerns about its usage in humans. Despite the potential benefits, the use of human embryo in stem cell technology is the primary reason why it raises ethical concerns. Another technology that faces high chances of unethical exploitation is a genetic modification of babies. In spite of the possible positive impacts of CRISPR in disease preventions and cure, individuals can exploit it to create an imbalance in the societies. Moreover, creating super soldiers through the exploitation of biotechnology also present ethical concerns. Changing the abilities of the soldiers may affect their health and that of their families. Therefore, there is a need to deal with these ethical concerns. One of the effective ways to prevent these unethical actions is through the passing of laws to prevent them. Besides, consideration of the stakeholders and sanctions of the countries practising them can reduce their prevalence.
References
Ardekani, A.M., 2009. Genetic Technologies and Ethics. Journal of medical ethics and history of medicine, 2.
Beard, M., Galliott, G. and Lynch, S., 2016. Soldier enhancement: ethical risks and opportunities. Australian Army Journal, 13(1), p.5.
Knoepfler, p. 2015. The ethical dilemma of designer babies. [Online]. TED. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_knoepfler_the_ethical_dilemma_of_designer_babies. [Accessed 17 May 2018]
Ledford, H., 2015. CRISPR, the disruptor. Nature, 522(7554), p.20.
Mulvihill, J.J., Capps, B., Joly, Y., Lysaght, T., Zwart, H.A., Chadwick, R. and International Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) Committee of Ethics, Law, and Society (CELS), 2017. Ethical issues of CRISPR technology and gene editing through the lens of solidarity. British medical bulletin, 122(1), pp.17-29.
Singer, P.W., 2015. Ethics and the Enhanced Soldier of the Near Future. MILITARY REVIEW.
Volarevic, V., Markovic, B.S., Gazdic, M., Volarevic, A., Jovicic, N., Arsenijevic, N., Armstrong, L., Djonov, V., Lako, M. and Stojkovic, M., 2018. Ethical and Safety Issues of Stem Cell-Based Therapy. International journal of medical sciences, 15(1), p.36.
