Essay on Frankenstein Experiment: Challenge on Ethics and Morality

Introduction

The Frankenstein novel is one of the most popular science narratives in the 21st century that not only highlights the limitless possibilities of science but also its tragedies. The narrative has often been used as the most effective persuading symbol especially by news media outlets to the public on the potential hazards of science frontiers, whenever one emerges (Isaacs 59). It sets out a presumptive assumption that 'anything might craw out of a laboratory' as well as uncontrolled power scientists tend to have in creating one. Such assumptions have a created stigma which produces ambivalent reactions on certain sciences and science practices as being harmful dangerous particularly from the public and science community (Nagy et al. 1). Such sentiments have raised substantial debates on the ethical and moral ramifications on science practices that aim at manipulating as well as balance the potential benefits with experiments risks.

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Frankenstein and the Role of the Experimenter: Moral Condemnation and Dilemmas

Although the Frankenstein novel highlights the potential horrors of experimentations, it's finding also highlights the potential benefits such practices might have in improving human living conditions. However, the manner in which the novel sets out to improve human conditions raises substantial ethical and moral challenges specifically with the experimentation itself and the experimenter. Moral condemnation is seen when the experimenter assumes the divine role and power of creating a life which in the end result in the creation of a monster (Davies 33). In the narrative, Frankenstein is also seen to question his morality on whether he should go ahead with the creation (34). Later on Frankenstein in the narrative Frankenstein further questions his moral consciousness when he refuses to create a partner for the monster for the greater good of his family and the being itself.

Frankenstein as a Modern Prometheus: Playing God and Ethical Considerations

It is argued that Frankenstein assumed the role of God as in the Christian version where God created the first man Adam and later the first woman Eve after he noticed Adam was lonely. Frankenstein actions to create a partner for the Monster were morally unacceptable as he inevitably wanted to play the role of God. Ethically, the tale raised experimentation issues on the use of human subjects in scientific research. For instance, Frankenstein human subject hadn't consented to be used an experiment prior to his death. According to Beecher and Pappworth, two modern commentators on research ethics, they argue the best protection of research subjects against harm is highly dependent on the moral integrity of the researcher as well as his ethical standards (34). Frankenstein experimentation was a perfect example of a researcher deterioration of ethical and moral research standards as he changed his subject to be eight feet tall, which has been described as utterly evil.

The Curiosity of Scientists: Balancing Benefits and Risks in Scientific Discovery

Not all researchers can be described as necessarily evil as they all rely on science to discover new process and information. Typically, scientists are described as naturally curious people who tend to be interested in how nature works. This is foreseen with Frankenstein describes science as a seductive discovering in revealing the secrets of nature after he discovers he can create life (33). For there to be a new scientific discovery, any new model, data and hypothesis must be tested and verified using substantial evidence that is reproducible (Miller, 28). Frankenstein undeniably used the same procedure as a scientist uses as tested the use of electricity to create a life which he was willing to reproduce a partner for the monster he had created using the same methodology.

According to King and Goodall (1), they argue even though scientists are usually greatly vested in investigating new areas, the direction in which the discoveries would lead them is usually unknown. Some of such discoveries have led to advancement in anatomy, engineering, chemistry and electricity which have not only helped in saving lives but also expanding economic output and growth. With the advance in science and technology, there has been also the dark side of such discoveries such as human cloning. The balance and checks that exist in relations to human subjects involve informing them at every stage preventing them from serving as passive and respecting their human dignity (Junior and Oliveira, 454. In relation to cloning, the balance and checks aim at protecting an individual exclusive genetic patrimony thus barring anyone from conducting human cloning.

Ethical Principles in Research: Protecting Human Subjects and Respecting Dignity

There are consequences or rule per se that one must adhere to before conducting research such as the ethical and moral issues involved in particular research. This helps them understand how and when ethical issues arise, how to interpret certain moral contests in an attempt to gain empathy from the people (Vanclay, Baines and Taylor, 243). Understanding these principles help in decision making where vested interest or personal preference doesn't conflict with the outlaying moral principles. Protecting human subjects in relation to research is also highlighted in the 1947 Nuremberg Code which was enacted due to the cruel Nazi experiments after World War II (Breault, 15). According to the Nuremberg Code, human subjects are entitled to the comprehension of benefits and risks involved, freedom from coercion as well as the availability of consent.

Ethics and morality are central to science as it would have taken away the power of Frankenstein to play God and create life. As such, ethics and morality define what is accepted by society and what may cause a catastrophic reaction from the public. Moral appeal often makes people rethink their actions before engaging in activities that might have dire consequences. For instance, the existing law preventing a scientist from engaging in human cloning prevents catastrophic events such as wrongful conviction and identity theft. Ethics and morality prevent scientists from going overboard and limits their research to acceptable standards within the science of community and public.

Ethics and morality would have played a huge part in the creation of the Frankenstein Monster as certain principles could have affected the outcome. For instance, if there was the choice of consent before the death of Frankenstein test subject, there is a probability that the subject wouldn't have desired to be reborn deformed and 8 feet tall. If he had consented to be experimented on, the test subject would have desired to be recreated as a normal human being, for there to be ease in conversing with other members of the society. This would have been after the test subject was involved in the potential benefits and drawbacks of recreation. If there was freedom from coercion, there is a likely chance there would have been no Frankenstein Monster as no one would wish to be recreated in such a horrific image.

Scientific Frontiers and Ethical Questions: Artificial Wombs and Robotics

As such, there have been significant scientific frontiers that may affect who we are as human beings as well as our moral and ethical identity. For instance, the development of artificial wombs (AW) has raised substantial ethical questions such as to whether human being in such as 'bio bag' wouldn't be referred to as a fetus or baby but a 'gestating' (Romanis 751). Although the artificial womb technology is aimed at reducing the chances of disabilities and premature infant deaths, it takes away the natural process associated with pregnancy and giving birth which raises some ethical questions. The other scientific frontier that raised substantial question concerns the development of robotics and artificial intelligence where the moral and ethical issues concerning revolve around the machines taking over earth leading to human extinction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, manipulating the human genome and natural order of things raises substantial ethical and moral issues. The Frankenstein tale highlights the negative outcome of uncontrolled science experimentation at the same time the revealing new possibilities science has to offer to improve the human living conditions. Morally, the tale goes against most religious beliefs of a supreme higher as the sole creator of life. For instance, when Frankenstein played the role of God, he ended up creating a monster who was once an innocent being who didn't give the consent to be experimented on when he was dead. Ethically, the Frankenstein experimentations could be attributed to why human cloning is prohibited as it would lead to undesirable outcomes. This necessitates the need to have scientific practices adhere to standardize ethical code of research.

Work Cited

Breault, Joseph L. "Protecting human research subjects: The past defines the future." Ochsner Journal 6.1 (2006): 15-20.

Davies, Hugh. "Can Mary Shelley's Frankenstein be read as an early research ethics text?" Medical humanities 30.1 (2004): 32-35.

Isaacs, Leonard. "Creation and responsibility in science: Some lessons from the modern Prometheus." Creativity and the imagination: Case studies from the classical age to the twentieth century (1987): 59-104.

Junior, Oliveira, and Pedro Bellentani Quintino de Oliveira. "Protection of genetic heritage in the era of cloning." Revista Brasileira de hematologia e hemoterapia 34.6 (2012): 452-458.

King, Christa Knellwolf, and Jane R. Goodall, eds. Frankenstein's science: experimentation and discovery in Romantic culture, 1780-1830. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2008.

Miller, G. Tyler, and Scott Spoolman. Environmental science. Cengage Learning, (2012): 28.

Nagy, Peter, et al. "Why Frankenstein Is a Stigma among Scientists." Science and engineering ethics 24.4 (2018): 1143-1159.

Romanis, Elizabeth Chloe. "Artificial womb technology and the frontiers of human reproduction: conceptual differences and potential implications." Journal of medical ethics 44.11 (2018): 751-755.

Vanclay, Frank, James T. Baines, and C. Nicholas Taylor. "Principles for ethical research involving humans: ethical professional practice in impact assessment Part I." Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 31.4 (2013): 243-253.