Introduction
The symbolic interactionism perspective emphasizes that health issues are social constructions. Thus, health problems or conditions have no objective since health conditions are considered an issue if it’s defined by the people in the society. Therefore, the symbolic perspective has assisted in studying the interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. Symbolic interactionism relies on symbolic interpretations people make and uses in the process of social interactions (Knöbl, 2010). Thus, this sociological perspective discusses society by addressing the subjective meaning that individuals inflict on behaviors, objects, and events. The sociological perspectives have been used in understanding health and health care. Health is defined to a condition where an individual’s physical and mental conditions are good as well as the person is socially well. The paper focuses on the use of symbolic interactionism to understand the concept of genetic enhancement of embryos. A concept is a scientific approach that allows gene editing procedures that aim to prevent individuals from passing a health problem to their children (Behringer et al, 2014). The procedure is not yet been approved; thus, it’s under research. Therefore, the genetic enhancement of embryos allows medical practitioners to manipulate embryos, human eggs, and sperm to eliminate any medical threat that their might pass to their children (Behringer et al, 2014). Since symbolic interactionism views health as social constructions, then it helps us in understanding the genetic enhancement of embryo health problems. Therefore, I am going to discuss how we can use the sociological perspective of symbolic interactionism to understand the genetic enhancement of embryo health issues.
Genetic Enhancement of Embryo
The genetic enhancement of embryos is a scientific approach that helps in manipulating embryos, human eggs, and sperm to prevent genetic diseases (Behringer et al, 2014). This is a medical discovery that could able to prevent lives but it at the same time goes against the societal view of childbirth. The genetic enhancement of embryos it can be viewed as an ethical and moral medical intervention that aims to address the issue of children’s immortality within society. Therefore, the genetic enhancement of embryos is a process that can refer to the creation of genetically engineered children (Vogel, 2015).
Therefore the main symbol in this discussion is “engineered children.” The genetic enhancement of embryos is not a biological issue, and it also requires societal views to make society subjectively accept it as a good health discovery. The process helps in preventing the transmission of genetic diseases. Since there are scientific advancements, top societal views are advancing through symbolic interactions. Thus, the method is risky scientifically and socially, yet it can be to save children’s lives. Symbolic interactionism is an appropriate sociological perspective that can help understand and raise rational debate about the genetic enhancement of embryos (Abrutyn, 2013). Therefore, we will view the genetic engineering method as subjective rather than as an objective issue within society. This will help influence societal views and perceptions about genetic concepts. In social constructions, perceptions matter more than reality. Therefore, through symbolic interactionism is easy to understand the interaction between people due to their general nature of thinking. Thus, communication and interaction between the people within the society about genetics will improve how they interpret genetic enhancement of embryo concepts (Behringer et al, 2014). This will change they perceive the process.
Symbolic interactionism will help in putting genetic enhancement of embryos in society as a subjective rather than as an objective concept. The people within the society perceive and interpret things without considering their reality. This will create a crucial background for the basis for interaction which is then a communication process. The symbol describes an object or an event thus helping in mediating; hence, triggering a reaction. This directs a person’s perception of interpreting the meaning of the described symbol that provides the basis for interaction. Therefore, through interaction, every person involved in a communication process will be able to recognize and interpret the intentions of the other within the communication process (Ritzer & Stepnisky, 2017). The integration of the concept of genetic enhancement of embryos into society will require interaction and a communicative process. Thus the societal view of genetic engineering will improve due to social constructions.
Due to symbolic interactionism, society will be able to view the genetic enhancement of embryos as a significant event in medicine and may assist in reducing genetic diseases (Boudon, 1987). Also, people view it as a chance to save children’s lives through a biological method and prevent genetic illnesses which children may inherit from their parents. Furthermore, interactionism will help to introduce the symbol of genetic engineering in society and help in providing information on the importance of the symbol.
Conclusion
The symbolic interactionism perspective discusses society by addressing the subjective meaning that individuals inflict and impose on behaviors, objects, and events. Thus, communication and interaction between the people within the society about genetics will improve how they interpret genetic enhancement of embryo concepts.
References
Abrutyn, S. (2013). Teaching sociological theory for a new century: Contending with the time crunch. The American Sociologist, 44(2), 132-154.
Behringer, R. R., Gertsenstein, M., Nagy, K. V., & Nagy, A. (2014). Manipulating the mouse embryo: a laboratory manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
Boudon, R. (1987). The individualistic tradition in sociology. The Micro-Macro Link, 45-70.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/feb/14/major-report-prepares-ground-for-genetic-modification-of-human-embryos
Knöbl, W. (2010). Path dependency and civilizational analysis: Methodological challenges and theoretical tasks. European Journal of Social Theory, 13(1), 83-97.
Ritzer, G., & Stepnisky, J. (2017). Modern sociological theory. SAGE Publications.
Sample, I. (2017). Major report prepares ground for genetic modification of human embryos. the Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2018, from
Vogel, G. (2015). Embryo engineering alarm.
