Myths and heroes : should we draw a line to scientific progress ?

introduction :

I am going to talk about the notion Idea of progress.

First and foremost, I would like to define this notion. Progress means a development towards a better, more complete or more modern condition. The idea of progress basically consists in believing that the world can become better in terms of art, technology, liberty and quality of life. Progress is usually see as a positive thing because it implies solutions that were considered controversial like the equality of boths genders.The most important evolution concern science. During the 21th century we can notice an increase of scientific research for a better way of life.

The question we will raised is : Should we draw a line to scientific progress ?

We will first see that progress is a good step for the future of mankind and then we will talk about the dangers of the progress. We will focus on designer babies.

I) Good step for the future of mankind

The progress in science takes a new step in the history of mankind. Actually, nowadays we can occure many diseases that weredeadly before. Thanks to medecine, people suffer less and we can notice an increasing life expectancy. Like I said previously, we will focus on designer babies. A designer baby is a baby developping from an embryo created by in vitro fertilization. The baby is similar as a creation because we can choose his gender and even some physical trait like the eyes colors and so on. Here, science permite people the create the "perfect baby", they have the possibility to create the baby they want. But the greatest advantage is that we can occure the diseases of the embryo, thus the baby can be healthy. Moreover the parents can choose to protect their baby from any weakness like alcoholism, drug addiction and so on. Also they can make it smart like we can see in the movie GATACA. What looked impossible yesterday is possible today. Indeed, design a human was only possibe in science fiction, but now it becomes more and more a normal reality. But the opinion is divided. In a video from SBS news, 2 physcians are interviewed and they have 2 different oppinions. The first Dr Steinberg, according to him people should not be scared about using technology for cosmetic reasons.

II) The dangers of the progress

However, the progress in science does not always mean a good evolution. It could become dangerous and it could become contrary to human values. As a matter of fact science should not interfere with natural things for cosmetics reasons. There is no physical trait better than another. Furthermore, it will create more inequality in the world whereas the goal of science is to reduce them. This is how the second doctor in the video from SBS news think. If we give money to create a baby, human become like an object and the scientist become like a business man. Moreover, it is not human role to design other human but it is God's role. As we can see in the text, Design Your Baby, PGD is used for cosmetic purpose which are not always in accordance with moral principes.

Science should only be used for curing deasease, it is unethical to "customize" a human just for the pleasure of the parents. It is only getting worse social inequalities.

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