258 • Impacts of Applied Genetics— Micro-Organisms, Piants, and Animals 
world resources, is the accelerating loss of 
plant and animal species. Concern over this 
depletion of the world’s germplasm arises 
because genetic traits that might meet as 
yet unknown needs are being lost. 
5. There exist strong public sensibilities about 
real or imagined threats to human health. 
Mistrust of experts has been stimulated by 
such events as the accident at the Three- 
Mile Island nuclear plant and the burial of 
toxic chemical wastes in the Love Canal. 
Regardless of the real dangers involved, 
the public’s perception of danger can be a 
significant factor in decisionmaking. At 
present, some perceive genetic technol- 
ogies as dangerous. 
6. A challenge to deeply held social values is be- 
ing raised by scientific and technological is- 
sues. The increasing control over the inher- 
ited characteristics of li\ ing things causes 
concern in the minds of some as to how 
widely that control should he exercised 
and who should be deciding about the 
kinds of changes that are made. Further- 
more, because genetics is basic to all li\ ing 
organisms, technologies applicable to low- 
er forms of life are theoretically applicable 
to higher forms as well, including human 
beings. Some wish to discourage applica- 
tions in lower animals because they fear 
that the use of the technologies will pro- 
gress in increments, with more and more 
complex organisms being altered, until hu- 
man beings themselves become the object 
of genetic manipulation. 
Special problems posed by genetics 
Genetics is just one among several disciplines 
of the biological sciences in which major ad- 
vances are being made. Other areas, such as 
neurobiology, behavior modification, and socio- 
biology, arouse similar concerns. 
Genetics differs from the physical sciences 
and engineering because of its intimate associa- 
tion with people. The increasing control over 
the characteristics of organisms and the poten- 
tial for altering inheritance in a directed fashion 
is causing many to reevaluate themselves and 
their role in the world. For some, this degree of 
control is a challenge, for others, a threat, and 
for still others, it causes a vague unease. Dif- 
ferent groups have different reasons for em- 
bracing or fearing the new genetic technologies. 
Religious, political, and ethical reasons have 
been advanced to support different viewpoints. 
The idea that research in genetics may lead 
some day to the ability to direct human evolu- 
tion has caused particularly strong reactions. 
One reason is that such capability brings with it 
responsibility for retaining the genetic integrity 
of people and of the species as a whole, a re- 
sponsibility formerly entrusted to forces other 
than man. 
Others find the idea of directing e\ ()lulion ex- 
citing. They view the de\elopment of g(Mietics 
technologies in a positi\e light, and s(>(> op- 
portunities to improve humanity’s condition. 
They argue that the capability to change things 
is, in fact, a part of evolution. 
Religious arguments on both sides of this 
challenge have been mad(v I’ojh* John I’aul II 
has decried genetic enginecM’ing as running 
counter to natural law. On the* other hand, one 
Catholic |)hilosopher has written:’ 
. . . We have always said, otten w ithoiit real 
belief, that we were and are I'realed by Led in 
His own image and likeness, l.et iis make m.m 
in our image, after our likeness" logically means 
that man is by nature a creator, like bis ( reator 
Or at least a cocnuitor in a very real, auesome 
manner. Not mere collaborator, nor adminis- 
trator, nor caretaker. My divine command we 
are creators. V\'by, then, sbould we be shocked 
today to learn that we can now or soon w ill be 
able to create the man of the futuic’ Why 
should we be horrified and denounce the sci- 
^Rohert I' I'rancociir. "W r (an— We Vtiisl Rl•lll•^llon^ nn Itn- 
I'echnolof'ical Impri'alix'c. ' /'/iro/oi'H a/ Stiulirs .1.1 .1 st-pli-mlM i 
1972. |). 429 and al rnninolc 2 
