What are the Ethical Concerns of Genome Editing?
The increase in Type 2 diabetes in Indian youth can be due to many underlying reasons: Changing lifestyle: Increased urbanization has led to more sedentary lifestyles with less physical activity. Many young people are spending more time on computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. This iRead more
The increase in Type 2 diabetes in Indian youth can be due to many underlying reasons:
- Changing lifestyle: Increased urbanization has led to more sedentary lifestyles with less physical activity. Many young people are spending more time on computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. This increased screen time has increased the risk of developing various diseases.
- Unhealthy diet: Traditional diets are being replaced by diets high in fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates, the westernized diets like cheeseburgers, frenchfries, pizza, pasta etc. has refined carbs contributing to obesity and insulin resistance in children.
- Socio-economic factors: With rapid economic growth and improved living standards have led to lifestyle changes that favor sedentary behavior and unhealthy eating patterns.These unhelthy eating habits can also be due to underlying stress and anxiety that can increase the risk of disease.
- Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of obesity among Indian youth has been rising due to poor dietary habits and lack of physical activity. The accumulation of fat around the abdomen is particularly associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Other than the above listed factors, factors like genetic makeup, environmental factors, psychological factors are sometimes also responsible for increase in Type 2 diabetes.
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Genome Editing is a process by which alterations are made to the DNA (genetic material) of an organism. These genetic alterations can cause changes in physical traits like hair colour, eye colour, body height, etc. Editing can be done on somatic cells as well as germline cells. This process has manyRead more
Genome Editing is a process by which alterations are made to the DNA (genetic material) of an organism. These genetic alterations can cause changes in physical traits like hair colour, eye colour, body height, etc. Editing can be done on somatic cells as well as germline cells. This process has many prospects for example, it can be used to prevent, treat or cure certain diseases.
Inspite of the benefits this technology offers, there are various ethical issues involved.
Some concerns are:
1) Some arguments say that when germline genome is edited, there is alteration in the genome of embryo at its earliest stages, which may effect every cell. This means that it has an impact not only on the person who may result, but also on his/her descendants.
2) Should people be allowed to use this technology to embrace basic human characteristics like height or skin colour?
3) It is difficult to ensure that people completely understand the risks and benefits involved with altering their genome.
4) The high cost of genome editing may make it available only to the wealthy section of society, thus ensuring fair and equitable access is a big challenge.
5) Genetically engineered humans may feel alienated from themselves or feel a confused identity.
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