Li

Eric Li
Ms. Dearing
ENGL 106
13 November 2014
Genetic Modification: Utopia or Dystopia?
Throughout the course of human history, new, innovative technological
advancements have always created a diverging gap between the opposing conservatives
and the supporting modernists. These contentions are often set between orthodox
individuals who favor a more conventional world, rather than the radical individuals who
want to live in a constantly revamping world. In todays rapidly developing world, one of
the greatest technological controversies is the practicality of genetic modification,
whether in the cells of the body or in the foods humans eat. Furthermore, genetic
modifications have begun to tackle the notion of individuality as scientists have begun to
create the master race by changing imperfect traits in an organisms DNA. This concept
of a waning sense of individuality is the soul of Lois Lowrys novel, The Giver, which
follows a young boy, Jonas, trying to battle for individualism in an emotionless and
colorless society. Throughout the novel, Lowrys focus on the lack of individuality in
society really parallels to some real world controversies, specifically genetic
modification, as it questions the dangers of conformity. Although genetic modification
does have its benefits, it is evident that these modifications take a significant and even
damaging toll to the individuality of the human race as seen through Lowrys The Giver.
The society in The Giver portrays an extreme example of what the world could
potentially become if individualism continues to diminish. Then it was in his hand, and

Li 2
he looked at it carefully, but it was the same apple. Unchanged. The same size and shape:
a perfect sphere. The same nondescript shade, about the same shade as his own tunic
(Lowry 24). This quote illustrates the theme of Sameness that is prevalent within the
novel and a growing controversy in reality. The apple mentioned in the previous quote
symbolizes perfection; the apple beholds neither imperfections nor irregularities.
Furthermore, the apple is described as nondescript, meaning its true colors are
inconspicuous to whoever may be holding it. Much like the perfect apple, genetic
modifications have taken huge steps towards creating a potential, master race, meaning
every human being in a future era is perfect. This is important because in The Giver,
the society portrayed is nothing but perfect, while every citizen is supposedly perfect. In
todays world there is no such thing as perfection, but rather a paragon of how humans
should be: body type, skin color, religion, etc. If genetic modification comes to take over
the unique identities of people, individuals will soon become the apple mentioned in the
quote, a perfect being, but nondescript to the other perfect beings around that individual.
In some aspects, the society in The Giver has already accurately portrayed
scientific progressions in genetic engineering in relation to creating the perfect race by
starting with newborn babies. Hes a sweet little male with a lovely disposition. But he
isnt growing as fast as he should, and he doesnt sleep soundlythe committees
beginning to talk about releasing him (Lowry 7). Jonass father said this, as he is a
Nurturer in the community, meaning, he and the other Nurturers were responsible for all
the physical and emotional needs of every newchild during its earliest life (Lowry 7).
With this quote, it becomes evident that the community in The Giver seeks for perfection
as it rids of imperfect babies. This idea for perfection is important because it is starting to

Li 3

become a very real situation in todays parenthood. In 2008, a press release was
publicized noting that American scientists had created the worlds first genetically
modified (GM) human embryo. In essence, this breakthrough was capable of, turning
children into objects, designed just like other consumer commodities, and would lead to a
new eugenics in which the rich are able to give their children genetic advantages over
others (Human Genetics Alert). Clearly, Lowry has hinted at something very true within
The Giver.
Personally, I agree with Lowrys claim that genetic modifications majorly damage
individualism and natural human abilities. By definition, genetic modification is, the
process in which genes within the DNA of one organism are removed and placed into the
DNA of another organism (Tamburrini). As this field is rapidly growing, there is no way
to tell where the field of genetic modifications will be in the next 50 years. However, it is
clear that if genetic modification continues down its current path, Lowrys claim of a loss
of individualism and natural human abilities will come true as seen in the following
examples:
First, in todays world, people are often seeking for perfection, concealing the
flaws that make an individual unique. For example, athletes who feel their bodies are not
fast or strong enough will take pills or have body modifications that give them unnatural
abilities. This has created a major problem in the world of sport as it has become unclear
whether an athlete has altered his/her body or not. Australian scientist Robin Parisotto, a
researcher on genetic doping, has estimated what the world of sports may look like if
genetic doping is continued. Parisotto says, Middle and long distance races may one day
become sprints. Power and field sports will need to modify equipmentor build larger

Li 4
stadiums, so that throwing implements dont end up in the crowd. Pitches needs to get
bigger, and nets and hoops higher. If genetic doping is continued, the natural human
ability is lost and sports are no longer a competition between skills and talents athletes
train for, it is now a competition on the effectiveness of a drug an athlete takes.
Second, natural human abilities mean that one works to provide and survive
(Glenn). In the field of genetic technology, there have been several controversies on the
concern that genetic technology can be used to create a slave race. In simple terms, this
slave race consists of beings that have the ability to speak and comprehend but are not
humans; for example, they could be genetically engineered dogs or chimps. These
advancements bring about the ethical issues in whether these beings, should be given all
the rights and protections traditionally bestowed upon a person (Glenn). This is
significant because the genetics field is ready to take up on a task that could potentially
create another species that competes against mankind. Is the world really ready for that?
And lastly, diversity and individuality in people is what many communities and
nations come to embrace; a university often looks to diversify its student body by
accepting students from all over the world with different talents, skills, and personalities.
With current developments, medical device will, soon be able to offer couples the ability
to screen their embryos for eye color, hair color, and complexion (Design Babies).
With the new genetic engineering of embryos, that diversity communities have come to
embrace will soon diminish into a mild acceptance of mediocrity, where every new
member of the community is viewed as another perfect copy of the previous.
Furthermore, the gender of a baby can now also be changed, as shown below in the
adverstisement. The Fertility Institute claims, nearly 100% success in providing couples

Li 5

with a baby of a predetermined gender (Design Babies). This is advancement is

massive in countries with child birth limitations such as China where parents often seek
to give birth to sons to carry on the household name. With these developments in the
genetic field, it becomes clear that not only will diversity in looks and personalities of
people change, the ratio of males to females will take a major hit as well. Lowrys
representation of a lack of diversity in The Giver accurately depicts the outcome of
individuals who have been genetically designed to be perfect.

An advertisement created by students at Singularity University to show what may happen

in the future in regards to designing babies (Design Babies).
To further understand the science and research behind genetic modifications, I
conducted an interview with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researcher Matthew Sung,
whose main focus is on genetic modifications and how genes make humans immune to
deadly diseases. As Sung conducts numerous experiments on pre-embryotic genetic
diagnoses on mice, the results can provide a glimpse of the possibilities of genetic
modifications starting from the embryo. When asked about the availability of embryotic
genetic modifications (modifying an embryo for traits) Sung says, The reason Im sure

Li 6
its going to happen is because we have already perfect this in animalswe put new
genes into mouse embryos and the mice grow up with these new genes. Evidently, the
idea of designing babies is very real, however, there is problem: Some genetic
enhancements may only be available to those who have moneythose who are not able
to receive this technology will be at a disadvantage (Sung). From this, it is clear that
individuality in regards to ones appearance and thinking will soon become two separate
classes: the people with genetic modifications and the people without.
In conclusion, genetic modification is a very real controversy in todays world as
problems arise from the world of sports, creating a new species, or designing babies.
Similar to the society portrayed in Lois Lowrys The Giver, genetic modification could
potentially lead to worldwide conformity where every human being looks, acts, and
thinks the same. These constant advancements in genetic modifications are inevitable,
however, with the realization of the potential harm genetic modifications could bring, it is
vital that the world of science keep in mind the damage that could befall upon mans
individuality.

Li 7
Works Cited

"Design Babies - Like It Or Not, Here They Come." Singularity Hub. Singularity
University, 25 Feb. 2009. Web.
Glenn, Linda M. "Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics.
Actionbioscience. American Institute of Biological Sciences, Nov. 2013. Web.
Human Genetics Alert. Scientists Create First GM Human Embryo. The Joseph
Rowntree Charitable Trust, 11 May 2008. Web.
Lowry, Lois. The Giver. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Print.
Parisotto, Robert. "Genetically Engineered Athletes Are Just around the Corner." Play the
Game. Danish Institute for Sports Studies, 2006. Web.
Sung, Matthew. "Genetic Modifications." Online interview. 29 Oct. 2014.
Tamburrini, Claudio Marcello., and Torbjrn Tnnsj. Genetic Technology and Sport:
Ethical Questions. New York: Routledge, 2005. Print.