Blog 18: The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.

Genetic disorders are something that could be cured with genetic engineering.  This is the main reason why I believe that research for genetic modification should be continued.  Certain diseases are already on the map as far as looking for ways to cure them.  Huntington’s Disease is a genetic disorder where the nerve cells in the brain slowly waste away over an extended period of time.  Spina bifida is not a genetic disorder but a congenital disorder where the spine does not fully form.  Congenital refers to the time of birth, so the disorder occurs during the child’s time as an embryo developing in the mother’s womb.  Down syndrome is yet another disorder that can be cured with genetic engineering and is often described as having an extra 21^st chromosome.  Today, science has already reached new heights, where ”fetuses are routinely screened for potential genetic defects, such as Down's syndrome, spina bifida and Huntington's disease” (last name, para #).  If science has reached this point already, then curing these disorders should be right around the corner.  Although it is impressive that we can search for these diseases in the fetus, which is the term for the unborn child after it has completed its embryotic stage, it will be even more impressive to be able to cure them.  I believe that genetic engineering is our window and that nothing should hold us back from it.  I see no harm in simply trying to rid the world of problems that people already do not want.