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Safety of genetically modified organisms
Poverty and disease challenges
Safety of genetically modified organisms
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Causes for Genetic Engineering Although growing wings, developing a beak, and having horns are all possible through genetic engineering, that is not the reason for the growing popularity of this medical practice. Genetic engineering has far more valid applications than some would imagine. Genetic engineering is the changing of an organism’s characteristics by modifying its genetic material, and this technology has some of the most significant data backing it up. The causes for the increase in genetic engineering include the ability to choose and correct genes for offspring, the ability to correct defective genes which code for genetic diseases/disorders, and the increase in hunger-stricken areas. Reproduction is one of the fundamental responsibilities …show more content…
For example, genetic engineering can be used to combat cystic fibrosis, which is a disease that damages the lungs and digestive system. Moreover, genetic engineering can be used to treat disorders such as diabetes as well. These two diseases, as well as much more, are one reason why people around the world are pushing for an increase in the research of genetic engineering. With the help of genetic engineering, people around the world who are suffering from incurable diseases have a hope to live pain and disease free. Furthermore, genetic engineers can look for mutated genes with preimplantation genetic diagnosis to tell if an embryo might have a mutation for trisomy 21 or Duchenne muscular dystrophy. If found, a scientist can potentially fix the mutation within the genetic code and therefore allow this embryo to grow to be a healthy child with no major health …show more content…
As the number of people who are starving increases each day, many leaders and organizations throughout the world are looking for a solution to this global crisis. According to John Robbins, the founder of Earth Save and co-founder/president of the Food Revolution Network, “Nearly a million children die every year because they are weakened by vitamin A deficiency and an additional 350,000 go blind. Golden rice … will be a godsend for the half of humanity…” (Robbins). Genetic engineering could be the fix for this issue. Genetic engineering would allow for rice to be produced in mass quantities for a less expensive price than regular rice. Moreover, if genetic engineering of beef cows were to be pursued, it would allow for more beef to be produced per cow; this would allow people who are hunger stricken to get a well-rounded diet. Although critics of genetically modified crops argue that this might not be the healthiest solution to ending world hunger, these crops have been approved as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. Also, these crops would be a great supplement for people who need food immediately and do not have the resources to go and find a healthier source of
Manipulating the genes of plants and animals is a feat we have mastered already. We are very close to doing the same thing with humans in an attempt to make them smarter, bigger and leaner (McKibben 22). Gregory Stock, an apostle of human engineering,' said of human germ line engineering, "It touches at the very core of what it means to be human. We are seizing control of our own evolution" (Gianelli 25). Mr. Stock summarized the very basis of genetic enhancement in this quote.
With his op-ed piece “ Can GMOs Help End World Hunger,” Executive Director Dr. John Robbins of the Massachusetts chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim advocacy and civil rights organization in the United States, begins asking the question of how genetically engineered foods can help feed the hungry. Robbins presents similar points to the reader that involve the issue of anti-GMO activists and overzealous environmentalists standing in the way of a world hunger cure. However these key points are just a smokescreen to the real matter at hand when concerning world hunger. Robbins explains and develops his argumentative theory of world hunger through the dramatically illustrated time magazine cover story, “Grains
The primary goal of genetic engineering is to predict and cure genetic disorders by changing an organism's genome using biotechnology. This is done by a nucleotide insertion or deletion that changes genetic abnormalities that’s called Therapeutic and Reproductive Cloning. Therapeutic cloning has benefits in treating various diseases through cell replication used to create organs. Reproductive cloning focuses on creating limbs, reproducing copies of human beings and designing phenotypical properties of babies before they are born. This review will compare and contrast the pros and cons of genetic manipulation through an in depth analysis of 2 articles; the first article is for a popular health website and the second article
One of the most necessary uses of genetic engineering is tackling diseases. As listed above, some of the deadliest diseases in the world that have yet to be conquered could ultimately be wiped out by the use of genetic engineering. Because there are a great deal of genetic mutations people suffer from it is impractical that we will ever be able to get rid of them unless we involve genetic engineering in future generations (pros and cons of genetic eng). The negative aspect to this is the possible chain reaction that can occur from gene alteration. While altering a gene to do one thing, like cure a disease, there is no way of knowing if a different reaction will occur at the cellular or genetic level because of it; causing another problem, possibly worse than the disease they started off with (5 pros and cons of gen. eng.). This technology has such a wide range of unknown, it is simply not safe for society to be condoning to. As well as safety concerns, this can also cause emotional trauma to people putting their hopes into genetic engineering curing their loved ones, when there is a possibility it could result in more damage in the
Genetically modified food’s, or GMOs, goal is to feed the world's malnourished and undernourished population. Exploring the positive side to GMOs paints a wondrous picture for our planet’s future, although careful steps must be taken to ensure that destruction of our ecosystems do not occur. When GMOs were first introduced into the consumer market they claimed that they would help eliminate the world’s food crisis by providing plants that produced more and were resistant to elemental impacts like droughts and bacterial contaminants, however, production isn’t the only cause for the world’s food crisis. Which is a cause for concern because the population on the earth is growing and our land and ways of agriculture will not be enough to feed everyone sufficiently. No simple solutions can be found or applied when there are so many lives involved. Those who are hungry and those who are over fed, alike, have to consider the consequences of Genetically Modified Organisms. Food should not be treated like a commodity it is a human necessity on the most basic of levels. When egos, hidden agendas, and personal gains are folded into people's food sources no one wins. As in many things of life, there is no true right way or wrong way to handle either of the arguments and so many factors are involved that a ‘simple’ solution is simply not an option.
Genetic engineering is now being used to create new medicines and therapies for many disorders and diseases, and also to improve agricultural plants and animals to produce bigger yields or enhanced nutrient composition and food quality. In Gene therapy, copies of healthy human genes produced in bacteria can be inserted into human cells with defective or missing genes, to fix the problem. Gene therapy is promising because it can use to treat genetic
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.
Modern technology has taken amazing strides in the past few years. We have changed the way we deal with food production, agriculture, and many other aspects of life.. Scientists have begun utilizing these advances in technology and knowledge to gain insight as to how the human species functions. They are on the verge of manipulating the way humans relate to the natural world. This revolutionary breakthrough is what is known as Genetic Engineering. Genetic Engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA molecules into an already existing organism. A simplified version of the process works by physically removing a gene from one organism and placing it into another. This is being done in an effort to
Another area of medical advancement is genetic engineering. Genetic engineering will detect and possibly stop diseases before birth. Many diseases are associated with specific genes that can be checked for disease and replaced if dysfunctional. Genetic testing has already revealed genetic mutations that cause hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, colon cancer, polycystic kidney disease, Alzheimers disease, and others. (5) Replacing missing, altered, inactive, or dysfunctional genes will prevent diseases or even death. Also, progression of a disease can be monitored, and
We live in a world that is constantly changing and advancing thanks to technological advancements, especially in the field of molecular genetics. Today, we are discovering and implementing new ways to overcome the ill-fated symptoms developed as a result from poor health or accidents. We are also making advancements in the field of agriculture thanks to molecular genetics. As we all know, food is an essential entity in our lives and is abundant as well as relatively easy to obtain here in the United States. However, as good as it may sound, this is not necessarily true for developing countries. Many people in developing countries receive very little food, if any, due to its scarcity. It is estimated that in Asia alone, close to 800 million people go to bed hungry every night due to food shortage. This problem can be alleviated by turning to the production of genetically modified organisms (a.k.a. GMOs).
Human Genetic Engineering: Designing the Future As the rate of advancements in technology and science continue to grow, ideas that were once viewed as science fiction are now becoming reality. As we collectively advance as a society, ethical dilemmas arise pertaining to scientific advancement, specifically concerning the controversial topic of genetic engineering in humans.
Human genetic engineering can provide humanity with the capability to construct “designer babies” as well as cure multiple hereditary diseases. This can be accomplished by changing a human’s genotype to produce a desired phenotype. The outcome could cure both birth defects and hereditary diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Human genetic engineering can also allow mankind to permanently remove a mutated gene through embryo screening, as well as allow parents to choose the desired traits for their children. Negative outcomes of this technology may include the transmission of harmful diseases and the production of genetic mutations.
Genetically modified (GM) foods have become omnipresent over the past decade. They are a technological breakthrough that allows humans to manipulate and add foreign genes to crops to enhance desired traits, but they have also evolved into a controversial issue, especially for Third World countries. Some people believe that GM foods not only provide larger yields to feed hungry citizens in Third World countries, but they can also be a source of great nutritional value. For example, researchers have developed a strain of golden rice containing high amounts of vitamin A and numerous other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, GM crops are laced with herbicides and pesticides, and therefore reduce the need for chemical consumption. Opponents of GM foods claim that they pose a threat to the health of consumers and that these crops could eventually cross-pollinate in an unregulated fashion or lead to the growth of superweeds and superbugs resistant to the herbicides and pesticides woven into the genetic fiber of the crops. Developed nations should promote research and monitoring from an ethical point of view and financial assistance through philanthropic ventures in order to limit environmental and health risks. They should also make sure that limited cultural displacement will result from the introduction of GM crops and that instead, a better livelihood and well-being through collaboration will emerge. Hence, GM crops should be introduced only provided that the developed nations assume the ethical and financial responsibilities for the environmental, health, and social consequences that attend this new innovation.
In a recent study by Editas Medicine, they are working with CRISPR to prevent a blinding disorder called “leber congenital amarurosis” which is a rare inherited disease (Knapton, 2015). This disorder is due to a defect in a gene that encodes for a protein that is essential for vision, using CRISPR they are able to cut out the mutated areas. This is one example on how modifying DNA can be beneficial and why it should be accepted. Many inherited disorders like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs. With parents having genetic screen tests they can provide a better future for their children and prevent them from a life with a
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.