Human germline engineering is the process by which a human's hereditary traits (or genes) are adapted. This is achieved by altering the sample within the germ cells, for example the oocyte and spermatogonium. Human germline engineering should not be confused with gene therapy. Gene therapy involves altering somatic cells, which are all cells in the body that are not involved in reproduction. Although gene therapy changes the genome of target cells, these cells are not found within the germ line, so the alterations are not hereditary and cannot be passed on to the next generation. This attempt was unsuccessful; only a small fraction of the embryos successfully merged the new genetic material, and many embryos contained large numbers of random mutations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Currently, there are no successfully engineered humans, but there are many potential uses such as curing genetic diseases and disorders. In the first published study on human germline engineering, researchers attempted to modify the HBB gene that encodes the human α-globin protein. In an extreme case, people would be able to effectively create the offspring they want, with the characteristics of their choosing. Human germline engineering not only allows for the selection of specific traits, but also allows for the improvement of these traits. The topic of human germline engineering is a widely debated topic. Currently, 15 of 22 Western European nations have outlawed human germline engineering. In the United States, there is no current legislation that explicitly prohibits germline engineering, however, the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2016 prohibited the use of U.S. Food and Drug Administration funds to engage in research on human germline modifications. Ethical and Moral Debates At present, there is much controversy surrounding human germline engineering. The scientific and global communities are quite divided on the question of whether human germline engineering should be practiced or not. It is currently banned in many major developed countries and highly regulated in others due to ethical issues. The great debate lies in the possibility of eugenics if human germline engineering were to be practiced clinically. This topic is hotly debated because the side against human germline modification believes it will be used to create humans with more visually appealing traits. Those who favor human germline modification see it as a potential medical tool or cure for certain diseases found in the genetic code. There is debate as to whether this is also morally acceptable. While there is usually a clash between religion and science, the topic of human germline engineering has shown some unity between the two fields. Various religious positions have been published regarding human germline engineering. According to them, many believe that germline modification is more moral than the alternative, which would be either discarding the embryo or giving birth to a diseased human being. The main conditions for determining whether it is morally and ethically acceptable lie in the intent of the modification and the conditions under which the engineering is performed. Another very interesting point in the debate of whether or not it is ethical and moral to engineer the human germ line is a perspective that.