Genetic Engineering Brings More Harm Than Good

Until the recent demise of the Soviet Union, we lived under the daily

threat of nuclear holocaust extinguishing human life and the entire

biosphere. Now it looks more likely that total destruction will be

averted, and that widespread, but not universally fatal, damage will

continue to occur from radiation accidents from power plants, aging

nuclear submarines, and perhaps the limited use of tactical nuclear

weapons by governments or terrorists.

What has gone largely unnoticed is the unprecedented lethal threat of

genetic engineering to life on the planet. It now seems likely, unless

a major shift in international policy occurs quickly, that the major

ecosystems that support the biosphere are going to be irreversibly

disrupted, and that genetically engineered viruses may very well lead

to the eventual demise of almost all-human life. In the course of the

major transformations that are on the way, human beings will be

transformed, both intentionally and unintentionally, in ways that will

make us something different than what we now consider human.

Regardless of the dangers, we are rushing full speed ahead on almost

all fronts. Some of the most powerful multinational chemical,

pharmaceutical and agricultural corporations have staked their

financial futures on genetic engineering. Enormous amounts of money are

already involved, and the United States government is currently

bullying the rest of the world into rapid acceptance of corporate

demands concerning genetic engineering research and marketing.

In the 1950's, the media was full of information about the great new

scientific miracle that was going to make it possible to kill all of

the noxious insects in the world, to wipe out insect-born diseases and

feed the world's starving masses. That was DDT. In the 1990's, the

media is full of information about the coming wonders of genetic

engineering. Everywhere are claims that genetic engineering will feed

the starving, help eliminate disease, and so forth. The ideas and

evidence presented below are intended to help evaluate that central

question.

Some scientists believe that, since genetic codes determine the

appearance, personality, health, and aging process of human beings, if

that genetic information in the chromosomes could be decoded and the

genetic mechanism were understood, we could potentially control and

improve our health, quality of life, and the biochemical processes in

our bodies. In other words, we could control our own fate. Also, we'd

be able to improve the genes of other animals and vegetables so that

they could serve humankind better. At first sight, these ideas seem

reasonable and attractive. However, careful analysis reveals that they

are based upon an incorrect theory--the theory of gene determinism.

Genes are often described as 'blueprints' or 'computer programs' for