Final answer:
Technologies such as IVF with PGD and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing are used to manipulate heritable information, which can prevent genetic diseases and potentially select for desired traits. These advancements have opened up ethical debates around their use for non-medical enhancements and echo concerns of eugenics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Manipulating Heritable Information Using Technology:
Humans have developed technologies that allow us to manipulate heritable information, effectively influencing genetic outcomes in future generations. A well-known example of this is the use of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) combined with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), which enables parents to screen embryos for genetic diseases before implantation. Alongside this, the emergence of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology has provided a powerful tool for scientists to edit DNA with precision, potentially allowing for the correction of genetic defects that can lead to disease.
These technologies raise important ethical questions related to their use for non-medical enhancements, such as selecting for particular physical attributes or intelligence, which can be seen as a modern form of eugenics. The discussion about the technology's role in family selection is ongoing, and society struggles to define the moral boundaries around its application. The advances in technology have created opportunities for profound social changes, influencing everything from population dynamics to personal identity.