Question

1. A couple who are fans of professional basketball are planning on having a baby. They would like for the child to be at least 6 feet 7 inches tall and extremely muscular by the time he is 16 years old. This, according to the couple, will guarantee him a spot in the NBA. Height is a polygenic trait (a trait influenced by several genes) that can be influenced by human growth hormone. Gene therapy could be used to add multiple genes that control height to the embryo.

• How did you decide what constitutes enhancement or treatment?
• Do you think treatment by gene therapy is a worthwhile area of research? Explain your position.
• Do you think enhancement by gene therapy is a worthwhile area of research? Explain your position.
• If you take a different position for treatment than for enhancement, tell me why.

Answer 1

Explanation:- Its very difficult to draw distinct line between theraphy nd enhancement but normally theraphy is aimed at restoring to normal function by gene manipulation and enhancement is improving the existing condition through gene manipulation. Since their child would be normal in height but they want their child to be tall this means enhancement is need through gene manipulation by adding more and more height genes as its a polygenic trait make child tall.

Explanation:- Enchantment by gene theraphy is novel biotechnological field that will open new vistas of knowledge and applications. Enhancement aimed at improving existing trait/function through gene manipulation like increasing height etc. Enhancement improves ability of trait beyond its prevous level. Thus producing best fit in the population