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Genetic engineering and its implications
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Recombinant DNA Technology Genetic engineering allows humans to tamper with the evolution. Genetic engineering by definition is the method of gene manipulation. It involves direct manipulation of the DNA using methods such as recombinant DNA, microinjection etc. Genetic engineering is meant for introducing desirable or useful characteristics in an organism. In comparison to genetic engineering, evolution involves changes in genetic make-up over successive generations. So evolution is a process that happens over a span of time compared to genetic engineering. Some people say that genetic engineering is harmful as well as some consider it beneficial. There are various arguments given by different researchers regarding genetic engineering . Many believe that with …show more content…
It has been considered unsafe. Another safety point is that, when a trans-gene is inserted into an organism. The concern is that it might also disrupt the normal function of the other genes (Gilbert, 2003). With genetic engineering, it is very difficult to know which trait is to be enhanced or get rid off. A trait may be good in one environment but may be deleterious in other environment. By genetic engineering it is not possible to know which gene might got changed after manipulation. Consider there are certain genes that control more than one function. Such genes are known as pleiotropic genes. If such genes are altered than if one function is favorable then other function of the same gene might be deleterious. Moreover there are arguments that manipulating germ line could make a child a commodity. The parents will start to go for genetic manipulation according to their requirements. If through genetic engineering some manipulation had occurred in germ line, which is introduced in a wrong way, the alteration will pass on to the generation to generation and extend to the children of the person (Kant,
Picture a young couple in a waiting room looking through a catalogue together. This catalogue is a little different from what you might expect. In this catalogue, specific traits for babies are being sold to couples to help them create the "perfect baby." This may seem like a bizarre scenario, but it may not be too far off in the future. Designing babies using genetic enhancement is an issue that is gaining more and more attention in the news. This controversial issue, once thought to be only possible in the realm of science-fiction, is causing people to discuss the moral issues surrounding genetic enhancement and germ line engineering. Though genetic research can prove beneficial to learning how to prevent hereditary diseases, the genetic enhancement of human embryos is unethical when used to create "designer babies" with enhanced appearance, athletic ability, and intelligence.
Genetic engineering, sometimes called genetic modification, is the process to alter the structure and nature of genes in humans, plants, and animals (what is genetic engineering). Because DNA is a code that is universal, genes can be manipulated
Genetic engineering has been around for many years and is widely used all over the planet. Many people don’t realize that genetic engineering is part of their daily lives and diet. Today, almost 70 percent of processed foods from a grocery store were genetically engineered. Genetic engineering can be in plants, foods, animals, and even humans. Although debates about genetic engineering still exist, many people have accepted due to the health benefits of gene therapy.
Genetic Engineering is deleting or adding different types for DNA that have different characteristics, and then adding them to a embryo to produce a specific organism. Cloning is where you move cells from the original embryo and place them into another one to produce the same organism. Genetech was the first company to first start experimenting with this new science in 1981. Gregor Mendel was the first scientist to discover this new science he called Genetics. At the time this company was valued at $200 million. Research for this t...
People should not have access to genetically altering their children because of people’s views on God and their faith, the ethics involving humans, and the possible dangers in tampering with human genes. Although it is many parent’s dream to have the perfect child, or to create a child just the way they want, parents need to realize the reality in genetic engineering. Sometimes a dream should stay a figment of one’s imagination, so reality can go in without the chance of harming an innocent child’s life.
Genetic engineering is the changing of an organism’s DNA, genetic material to eliminate unwanted traits or to produce desirable traits. The earliest form of genetic engineering dates back to the scientist Gregor Mendel who did experiments with peas. He bred only the peas with the most desirable traits in order to achieve a healthier and stronger pea (McCuen 8). This method, called selective breeding, is still used today with plants and animals in order to increase food production. Corn plants are selectively bred in order to produce a larger tastier kernel. Another type of genetic engineering called hybridization or crossbreeding involves breeding animals of different species in order to obtain the most desirable traits of both. Male donkeys are crossbred with female horses to produce mules, which are good work animals (Levine 1).
Some observers are concerned that genetic engineering allows humans to tamper with evolution in an unsafe way. Many think that God created man as he is, and we should not attempt to alter its form in any way. Others, however, argue that we as a society should do everything in our power to better our standards of living. It is hard to argue one way or another unless you know the facts about genetic
[7] Stock, G., and Campbell, J.. "Engineering the Human Germline: an Exploration of the Science and Ethics of Altering the Genes We Pass to Our Children, New York; Oxford University Press, 2000. back
Genetic Engineering is the deliberate alteration of an organism's genetic information (Lee 1). The outcome scientists refer to as successful entitles the living thing’s ability to produce new substances or perform new functions (Lee 1). In the early 1970’s, direct manipulation of the genetic material deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) became possible and led to the rapid advancement of modern biotechnology (Lee 1).
Genetic engineering gives the power to change many aspects of nature and could result in a lot of life-saving and preventative treatments. Today, scientists have a greater understanding of genetics and its role in living organisms. However, if this power is misused, the damage could be very great. Therefore, although genetic engineering is a field that should be explored, it needs to be strictly regulated and tested before being put into widespread use. Genetic engineering has also, opened the door way to biological solutions for world problems, as well as aid for body malfunctions. I think that scientists should indeed stop making genetic engineering for humans, because it will soon prove to be devastating to the human race. It would cause rivalries and tension among different kinds of genetically engineered humans for dominance and power.
...ound in the organism. An example would be that organisms are currently on the market and also include plants with the resistance to some insects and also plants can also tolerate herbicides and also crops with modified oil contents. (Biosafety, 2005) Genetic engineering was found to be a changing of an organism. The first big success of genetic engineering was found to be the production of insulin which is a hormone which is produced by the human’s pancreas by something called genetically modified bacteria. Then today’s genetic engineering techniques are used in a lot of different areas.
The Problem Genetic engineering has been around since the 1960’s, although major experiments have not been really noticed until the 1990’s. Science comes in different forms, the two major being cloning and genetic reconstruction. Cloning is the duplicating of one organism and making an exact copy. For example, in 1996 the creation of the clone sheep named Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned, which was a great achievement. The other form, genetic reconstruction, is used to replace genes within humans to help or enhance the life of an unborn child for a medical reason or just for the preference of a parent.
In conclusion and my personal opinion, genetic engineering could lead to a technically better and more advanced world despite the fact that it suffers from deep moral downfalls. The main issue that causes debate seems to be if artificial superiority is a viable alternative to nature. It could work in society if people only used it for things such as evading cancer, but if a new social class is formed or people start creating super humans, it’s unquestionably a problem.
The Safety of genetic engineering is something that presents much concern. Looking at the current precautions and previous precautions of the biotechnological industry can clear up the safety issue. The FDA and State Governments impose limits such as the illegalization of human cloning and limits on other genetic engineering processes. The only legal forms of genetic engineering that are used today are in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, and sperm banks.
Although genetic engineering seems to be more harmful than helpful, when used correctly, it will help the society prosper. Considering the technology our society has currently developed, genetic engineering is a difficult topic to discuss and confirm. If the researchers confirm this process, it may become easier for the scientists and will help cure the diseases easily. The debate, however, will still be on the rise because of the issue in human morals and ethics.