The Genome Project and the Disruption of Evolution :: Genetics Darwin Science Essays

The Genome Project and the Disruption of Evolution The genome project was successfully completed in June 2001. As a result, many controversies have arisen regarding the ethics of altering a person's genetic makeup. These arguments will most certainly continue for generations to come. However, the real problem will involve how evolution itself will be dramatically altered if genetic manipulation is allowed. If every human being alters his genes to make offspring free of diseases and variations, then eventually the human population will be void of variation. Variation has always been the key to life. With even a slight modification in environment, the whole human population, if permitted to change nature's plan, could die out. Altering the genetic makeup of a human offspring is evolutionarily wrong. Admittedly, a perfect race seems like an ideal lifestyle. Since the beginning of time, humans have strived to have perfect bodies, clear complexions, and high IQs. Now with the completion of the genome project, they may have the opportunity to erase all defects and diseases. Although this sounds like the ideal situation for mankind, it is far from ideal. If every human altered the genetic makeup of his offspring, eventually the human population would have no allowances for variation and no way to combat sudden environmental challenges. Charles Darwin first proposed that variation was the key to life. Without it, natural selection could not occur. Because natural selection is the driving force of evolution, evolution is ultimately disrupted. Darwin stated in his Origin of Species, "The preservation of favorable variations, I call Natural Selection." (Raven and Johnson, 13) If the entire human population were altered so that each human were perfect in every way, then, as each reproduced, there would be no variation in one's offspring. (Gendron) The differences between individuals develop through minor mutations. Those harmful to an individual usually decrease the chance of survival. However, there are some that enhance the survival of that individual. These mutations spread throughout the population. Over time, this leads to the creation of new, "more fit" species. (Rine) Unfortunately, manipulation of the new offspring's genes would quickly prevent the normal genetic mutations from occu rring.