I wonder if Aldous Huxley knew how prophetic Brave New World was going to be when he wrote it. In 1938, when the book was written, the idea of engineering and manufacturing humanity was science fiction. However, genetic and reproductive technologies have made what seemed impossible possible. Hopefully there won't be any in-vitro assembly lines in our future, but we have the ability to control many things previously left to chance, and our technology is improving every day, making even more control possible. So the question becomes, what is ethical when it comes to biotechnology? How much genetic engineering is too much? How far should reproductive technology reach?

YOUR ASSIGNMENT (Please read this carefully!):

1. Open up the Genetic Engineering Handout below. There are two formats; use the one that opens properly for your computer.
2. Read the handout. JUST READ IT. You don't have to do any of the writing. We'll do it in class.
3. If you did not get the chance in class to read at least two of the articles linked below, please do so tonight as homework.
4. Come in prepared to discuss the issue in the handout from your assigned perspective (explained in handout).

Genetic Engineering Handout (docx format - word08)

Genetic Engineering Handout (pdf format)

Here are some articles that deal with issues of bioethics in genetic engineering, genetic testing, and cloning:

"Genetic testing of embryos to pick 'savior sibling' OK with most Americans

Nova Online - "On human cloning: Three views"

CNN.com - "Designer babies: Creating the perfect child"

Genetic Engineering: Creating 'savior babies', breeding deafness, avoiding illness? What is ok?

CNN.com - "Genetic testing of embryos raises ethical issues"