How Genetic engineering and utilitarianism work?

Answer 1

Genetic engineering uses genetic material harvested from foetal stem cell. These stem cells can be acquired from 'spare' or 'waste' IVF embryos; aborted foetuses; and cloned embryonic material. The ethical debate centres around the sources of stem cells. Utilitarianism would look favourably upon Genetic Engineering, as Somatic therapy can be used to find many cures for various diseases, therefore achieving the greatest good for the majority of people. As this teleological argument focuses on consequence and the greatest good for the greatest number, it could be argued that the decision to fertilise an egg by Genetic engineering in the process of IVF for example is moral, as the happiness of the couple outweighs that of the embryo they are discarding. Embryo experimentation has the potential to find cures to many serious and currently incurable diseases, such as Alzheimer's; Huntingdon's; Diabetes; Parkinson's. This potential has led to increased support from the utilitarian approach for its authorisation. As a result of the fact that the foetus is destroyed after 'engineering' at 14 days (before it becomes 'sentient') means Utilitarian arguments are in favour of it.