Currently, there are a lot of allergies in the world, and it seems like you can be allergic to almost anything. Yet does the possibility exist that we will be able to stop being allergic to anything as a species in the future? As of right now, the only “remedy” to an allergy lies in using an epipen when an allergic reaction occurs. The solution right now only exists by eliminating the problem in case it occurs. Yet couldn’t we genetically engineer a method that allows us to alter our bodies so that allergens are not considered foreign anymore? That would solve the root of the problem and allow us to live without allergies. Of course, this solution brings forth a lot of ethical issues. If we are able to become immune to allergens, what’s stopping us from doing cosmetic changes based off our genome? This would introduce a lot more problems such as the standard of beauty in society, how important we view attractiveness, etc. As of current, the only methodology that’s similar yet ethical to this would be through epigenetics--where our genetics are altered due to outside stimuli. We are able to grow older and eventually “grow out” of our allergies, but are even able to become allergic to new things when we get older.
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