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Crystal Leonard's picture

gene therapy devaluing those with disabilities

I'd like to comment on the idea that gene therapy might imply that those who are disabled are of less value than others. I agree that if, for example, a blind person were to get gene therapy to let them see or a quadriplegic person got gene therapy to allow them to move their limbs, it does imply that, at least to that individual, there is something inherently wrong with being blind or paralyzed and that these traits need to "fixed". This might be offensive to some and might ignore the unique abilities of people with these traits. However, I still see nothing wrong with these individuals getting the gene therapy. If a person wants sight or the ability to move, who are we to deny them this? In my opinion, it should be up to the individual to decide whether they value their unique abilities more or less than the abilities offered through gene therapy. It should not be reflective on society's opinions of people with "disabilities", but should be an entirely personal decision.

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