Genetic Engineering: Is the Human Race Ready?

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It is incredible to see how far genetic engineering has come. Humans, plants, and any living organism can now be manipulated. Scientists have found ways to change humans before they are even born. They can remove, add, or alter genes in the human genome. Making things possible that humans (even thirty years ago) would have never imagined. Richard Hayes claims in SuperSize Your Child? that genetic engineering needs to have limitations. That genetic engineering should be used for medical purposes, but not for “genetic modification that could open the door to high-tech eugenic engineering” (188). There is no doubt that genetic engineering can amount to great things, but without limits it could lead the human race into a future that no one today could even imagine. Agriculture is one area that has definitely been changed as a result of manipulating genes. Food can be grown indoors rather than growing it from the land. EPCOT, a part of Disneyworld in Florida is a fantastic place to see this in action. They actually grow some vegetables suspended in the air without their roots planted in anything. They have an entire ride dedicated to showing the new innovative ways Disney is growing plant life. It is a truly unforgettable experience seeing a plant hanging from the ceiling without any kind of pot attached. The usual scene of a plant is in the ground or in a pot, not hanging from the ceiling with its roots dangling below. They also had an intricate hydroponic system to guarantee the longevity of the plants. A reservoir was placed at the top of a spiral of plants that were segmented six to eight inches apart. This watering system watered the plants by water falling down from the very top plant, then trickling through each plant until ... ... middle of paper ... ...tle until it would be unrecognizable to the people of today. If this alteration of human genes is going to be permitted, someone needs to oversee that it is used for the good of the people, and nothing more. Ultimately, the government would be in charge of regulating genetic engineering, but the people should also be actively involved. Laws would need to be set in place to make sure that the technology cannot be legally used in harmful ways. Medical experts should be consulted in every step of the process, to ensure that the best interests of the people are being figured in. Even with all of the precautions listed above, someone somewhere would find a way around them. The wonderful prospects this technology could bring the human race should not be completely shut out because of this. However, it should be stressed that the people continue to proceed with caution

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