It is hard to believe that one day, in the very near future, scientists will have the ability to cure any disease or form of illness that one may encounter . This amazing new technology is called gene therapy. In short, gene therapy involves replacing “bad genes” with “good genes”; it's a way of manipulating one's genetic code. This can potentially lead to scientists making someone a human computer or an extraordinary athlete, because scientists can change a person's genetic makeup any way they want. In many ways, gene therapy is linked to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. While gene therapy is primarily used to cure disease and Jekyll used a potion to release his inner darkness, the similarities between the two concepts go far beyond the fact that they both bring obvious benefits to the individual. However, these similarities are very limited and the differences are the most visible. One of the many similarities between gene therapy and the potion used by Jekyll is that they are both used to reduce involuntary suffering. Dr. Jekyll used the potion because he believed it would help him overcome the lack of evil he was capable of letting out. “There was something strange in my sensations, something indescribably new and, from its very novelty, incredibly sweet. I felt younger, lighter, happier in my body” (Stevenson 67 years old). Jekyll wanted evil, he wanted to be freed, and in doing so he satisfied his needs in such a way that he would not suffer the consequences. Gene therapy is similar in that it also reduces involuntary suffering, but it is obviously not a potion and obviously does not release a different body into the world. For example, an experiment was carried out on individuals born with a hereditary eye disease called...... middle of paper ......tion and its disappearance. Is this what can happen to humanity if it gets too much power? It's a scary thought but very plausible. While it may seem cool to be able to have extraordinary abilities, will this lead to the demise of humanity?Works Cited1. Beall, Abigail. “Gene therapy restores sight in people with eye disease.” NewScientist. Np, January 16, 2014. Web. March 4, 2014.2. Bernardes, Jesus B. "Telomerase gene therapy in adult and aged mice delays aging and increases longevity without increasing cancer." National Center for Biotechnology Information. US National Library of Medicine, August 4, 2012. Web. March 4, 2014.3. Stevenson, Robert Louis. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. New York: Bantam Dell, 2004. Print.4. “Transhumanist Declaration.” HumanityPlus. Np, March 2009. Web. March 4. 2014. .