ESSAY PROPOSAL: Metagenes

The first essay topic that I have chosen is the possibility of the creation or discovery of metagenes, as defined in the
DC comics, given that UK scientists have recently been allowed for Human Genetic Manipulation. I would like to
know whether this would result to the destruction or progression of mankind.
These are the references that I will use for this essay:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Genetic Modification of Human Embryos opening the door to GM children, a Parliamentary Briefing on the
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2008 by the Human Genetics Alert
The Threat of Human Genetic Engineering, by David King of Human Genetics Alert
UK scientists given go-ahead to genetically modify human embryos, by Sheena McKenzie (2006) CNN
The Metagene DC Comics: Origins & Definition, <http://www.liquisearch.com/metahuman/dc_comics__origins_amp_definition/the_metagene>
The Metagene Gene, by Michael Shermer (2001) American Scientist: Volume 89, Number 1

The parliamentary briefing concerning The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2008 and the article entitled
The Threat of Human Genetic Engineering by Human Genetics Alert both discuss the cons of Britain allowing
Human Genetic Manipulation. This could contribute to the factors in favor for the former stated fate of mankind
which is its destruction.
The news article entitled UK scientists given go-ahead to genetically modify human embryos" discusses the benefits
of this decision. This could contribute to the factors in favor of the latter stated fate of mankind which is its
progression.
The fourth article defines metagenes and its conditions while the fifth article weaves metagenes into reality. It makes
the possibility of the existence of metagenes feasible.

The first essay topic that I have chosen is the possibility of the creation or discovery of metagenes, as
defined in the DC comics but viewed as something more realistic sans supernatural abilities, given that UK scientists
have recently been allowed for Human Genetic Manipulation (HGM) and whether this would result to the
destruction or progression of mankind. On the one hand, according to a news article published by CNN, this decision
could contribute to the factors in favor for the progression of mankind. They argue that allowing HGM would improve
our understanding and scientific research on early embryo development and miscarriage. On the other hand,
however, the Human Genetic Alert argue that it would result to the destruction of mankind. They have brought up
that genetically engineering humans to create a metagene in which humans would have enhanced health,
appearance, personality, cognitive ability, sensory capacity and life-span would result to, in time, a society
segregated into the enhanced humans and the naturals, composed of human with untouched genes. In the words
of David King of Human Genetics Alert, one of the views main proponents, Once it was available, how would it be
possible to ensure that HGE was used for purely medical purposes? According to this view, Human Genetic
Engineering (HGE), in time, cannot be suppressed and would result to humans being an object shaped into parental
whims and market forces. In sum, then, the issue is whether HGE must be permitted or not to create genetically
enhanced humans.
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/01/health/genetically-modified-embryos-dna-uk-scientists/
http://www.hgalert.org/topics/hfeBill/Parliamentary_Briefing_1.pdf
http://www.hgalert.org/topics/hge/threat.htm

ESSAY PROPOSAL: Gayspeak

ESSAY PROPOSAL: Star Trek technology

Context: view of a Star Trek enthusiast
The second topic that I have chosen is about mankind making great strides in terms of technological advancements
which can be viewed as human inching closer towards making Star Trek, a popular science fiction franchise, a reality.
This observation would also depict that mankind is also inching closer towards coming in contact with extraterrestrial
life. I would like to know whether this should be done or not. On the one hand, space experts at the Search for Extra
Terrestrial Life (SETI) project urges that humans must seek interstellar communication with extraterrestrial life. From
this perspective, they discuss that we should not wait for aliens to contact us rather we should start sending
messages to areas found that are neither too cold or too hot for life to prosper. On the other hand, Baum et al.
discusses in a scenario analysis on our contact with extraterrestrial beings listed scenarios that contribute to the
factors that contact with aliens would be harmful or even destructive for the human race. Stephen Hawking, an
admired and famed physicist, states that despite his desire to know whether intelligent life exists elsewhere in the
universe, he believes it is likely that these creatures would destroy our race as easy as us wiping out a colony of ants.
ESSAY PROPOSAL: Nice Guys finishing Last
The third topic that I have chosen discusses the popular phenomenon that nice guys finish last. I would like to know
whether this phenomenon is active in our country in the context of multimedia content produced for young adults
or the millennials. On the one hand, according to an article from Evolutionary Psychology, altruism plays a role in
how attractive a man is to a woman along with the physical appearance. From this perspective, the article depicts
that acts of kindness and selflessness, also referred to as being nice, acts as an important trait in mate choice. One
the other hand, a study entitled The Mediatization of Filipino Youth Culture states that multimedia content
influences the youths sexual attitudes and view of intimate relationships. With the growing amount of books,
movies, and television series about young girls falling in love with the bad boy and ending happily, the study would
suggest that this would result to the youth making a switch on their mate choice.

THE ONE I SENT SIR

Good day, sir!

I am Kat Hernandez from your Eng 10 WFV2 class. I am sorry if I passed this late but I did not have access to stable
internet over the weekend. You might notice that one of the topics you approved, particularly one about Gayspeak,
is not included in here. It is because I still could not come up with an interesting take on the topic. If that changes
(and if it's still not too late), I will send you the proposal for the topic. Other than that, I have prepared proposals for
the other 3 topics. I used the They say, I say format.

TOPIC #1: Metagenes

Context: Metagenes as defined in the DC comics franchise
The first essay topic that I have chosen is the possibility of the creation or discovery of metagenes, as defined in
the DC comics but viewed as something more realistic sans supernatural abilities, given that UK scientists have
recently been allowed for Human Genetic Manipulation (HGM) and whether this would result to the destruction or
progression of mankind. On the one hand, a journal article published under Current Reseach Journal of Biological
Sciences argues that genetic engineering could be beneficial to mankind by stating its recent advances. From this
perspective, given that human genetic engineering has only been allowed recently, they discussed its positive effects
on food production, animals, microorganisms and in the fields of medicine, research, industry, and agriculture. On
the other hand, however, the Human Genetic Alert argue that it would result to the destruction of mankind. They
have brought up that genetically engineering humans having enhanced health, appearance, personality, cognitive
ability, sensory capacity and life-span, much like the metagene, would result in a society segregated into the
enhanced humans and the naturals composed of human with untouched genes. A position paper from the Center
For Inquiry states that genetic modification would affect the generations to come. It would inevitably come with not
only immediate benefits and harms but also effects on our social structure and distribution of social goods. It would
exhaust immense benefits provided it is used prudently and carefully regulated and controlled. In sum, then, the
issue is whether HGE must be permitted or not to create genetically enhanced humans that could potentially take
over the mundane humans as depicted in the comic books.
The issue is important because it deals with the lives of humans.
SEMINAL TEXTS:
Khattak, J., Rauf, S., Anwar, Z., Wahedi, H., & Jamil, T. (2012). Recent Advances in Genetic Engineering - A
Review. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4(1), 82-89.
http://www.hgalert.org/topics/hfeBill/Parliamentary_Briefing_1.pdf
Koepsell, D., J.D.,Ph.D. (2007). The Ethics of Genetic Engineering (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Center
For Inquiry, Inc.

TOPIC #2: Star Trek

Context: view of a Star Trek fan
The second topic that I have chosen is about mankind making great strides in terms of technological
advancements which can be viewed as human inching closer towards making Star Trek, a popular science fiction
show, a reality. This observation would also depict that mankind is also inching closer towards coming in contact
with extraterrestrial life as shown in the television series. I would like to know whether this should be done or not.
On the one hand, space experts at the Search for Extra Terrestrial Life (SETI) project urges that humans must seek
interstellar communication with extraterrestrial life. From this perspective, they discuss that we should not wait for
aliens to contact us rather we should start sending messages to areas found that are neither too cold or too hot for
life to prosper. On the other hand, Baum et al. discusses in a scenario analysis on our contact with extraterrestrial
beings possible scenarios that contribute to the factors that contact with aliens would be harmful or even destructive
for the human race. Stephen Hawking, an admired and famed physicist, states that despite his desire to know
whether intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, he believes it is likely that these creatures would destroy
our race as easy as us wiping out a colony of ants.
SEMINAL TEXTS:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/space/11410231/We-should-make-first-contact-scientists-sayit-is-time-to.html
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1104/1104.4462.pdf
http://www.space.com/29999-stephen-hawking-intelligent-alien-life-danger.html

TOPIC #3: Nice Guys Finishing Last

Context: Filipino Young Adult Literature
The third topic that I have chosen discusses the popular phenomenon that nice guys finish last. I would like to
know whether this is active in our country in the context of multimedia content produced for young adults or the
millennials. On the one hand, according to an article from Evolutionary Psychology, altruism plays a role in how
attractive a man is to a woman along with the physical appearance. From this perspective, the article depicts that
acts of kindness and selflessness, also referred to as being nice, acts as an important trait in mate choice. One the
other hand, a study entitled The Mediatization of Filipino Youth Culture states that multimedia content influences
the youths sexual attitudes and view of intimate relationships. With the growing amount of books, movies, and
television series about young girls falling in love with the bad boy and ending happily, the study would suggest that
this would result to the youth making a switch on their mate choice.
SEMINAL TEXTS:
Farrelly, D., Clemson, P., & Guthrie, M. (2016). Are Women's Mate Preferences for Altruism Also Influences
by Physical Attractiveness? Evolutionary Psychology, 1(6).
Lanuza, G. (2003). The Mediatization of Filipino Youth Culture [Abstract]. 16-24.