Preview

Genetic Engineering

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1239 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Genetic Engineering
For the past twenty years, scientists have learned how to mix and match characteristics among unrelated creatures by moving genes from one creature to another. This is called “genetic engineering.” Genetic engineering also refers to the artificial modification of the genetic code of any living organism. Genetic engineering changes the original physical nature of the organism, sometimes in ways that would never occur in nature. Genes from one organism are inserted in another organism, most often across natural species boundaries. Some of the effects become known, but most do not. There are some examples of genetic engineering that have created chicken with four legs and no wings. Genetic engineering also created a goat with spider genes that creates silk in its milk. As we speak, more and more human genes are now being inserted into non-human organisms to create new forms of life that are genetically partly human. This brings new ethical questions to rise. Basically, Genetic engineering has created so many impossible things, where we couldn't have imagined these things being created 20 years ago. Now mostly everything has their advantages and disadvantages; Genetic engineering will soon become a huge part of our lives that will obviously include so many advantages and disadvantages.
Some people believe that genetic engineering has no benefits and it is only causing more problems. But what is true is that there are many medical, agriculturally, and personal advantages to genetic engineering such as: * Animals can be engineered for healthier meat. * Productivity of crops can be increased. * Bacteria can be engineered to produce drugs needed for livestock. * Genes could also be manipulated in trees for example, to absorb more CO2 and reduce the danger of global warming. (Environmental benefits) * Detecting people that are genetically open to certain inherited disease could prevent diseases. * Gene therapy/treatment can fight diseases. * DNA

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Chem 8.06

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    -One possible benefit for genetic engineering is is that with gene therapy, a fetus a genetic defect could be treated and even cured before it is born.…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Genetic Engineering is a notorious and complex subject, burdened with ethical and moral debates, packed with fascinating science. Everything begins with DNA, (Deoxyribonucleic acid). We are all made up of DNA. Without understanding DNA, genetic engineering or any sort of alteration within engineering of DNA is unfeasible. If you do ask someone, (what is a designer baby?), who does not know the science behind designer babies or genetic engineering, they may say it is a creation against the nature as we are dismantling natures characteristics and deciding to adjust the faults.…

    • 5533 Words
    • 23 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Nature is like art; there are always those elements you want to change.” In the science fiction story, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Charlie had always wanted to be intelligent, and he did with a special operation. People today are trying to figure out how this story could become a reality. Genetic engineering is the modification of characteristics of a plant by changing its genes. Humans may give people confidence, cure them from diseases, and help people live longer.…

    • 744 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Genetic Engineering has been hailed as one of the greatest scientific developments of the 21st century. The argument above is one of many, posed to ask human beings to think about whether or not genetic engineering is morally and ethically right. By modifying genes and DNA or by introducing new genes into an embryo, organisms are given new, often beneficial, characteristics. This amazing technology is used to alter the genetic material of living cells in order to make them capable of producing new substances or performing new functions. It is the procedure that allows scientists to basically change the very nature of nature. From adding jellyfish genes to mice to make them glow, to cloning sheep and creating super vegetables, the doors that have been opened and the possibilities that can be explored by this branch of science are endless.…

    • 1938 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Genetic engineering often gets a bad rap with changing the natural evolutionary cycle, but it could, with proper guidance, improve almost every aspect of daily life. Advances in the Biotech Revolution have made many things that we had merely considered to be science fiction or a thing of dreams are now possible.The fact of the matter is that genetic engineering is applicable to everyday life while still being ethical and inline with people’s morals.…

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although scientists and other supporters paint a pretty picture of how ideal our lives would be with so many genetic choices within reach, genetic engineering undermines rather than enhances the promise of humanity because we fail to see the big picture of the responsibilities and consequences of possessing such a God-like ability.…

    • 588 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Designer Babies

    • 1566 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism’s genome through direct human manipulation of the DNA using modern technology. Although classical genetic methods using selective breeding has been done by humans since thousands of years ago, the manipulation of genome of organism through advance technology has only emerged since 1970s (Wikipedia, 2011). By injecting a foreign gene into an organism, we can alter the properties of the organism to generate higher crop yields, more nutritious food and even production of therapeutic agents such as insulin. However, by date, no technological advancement has been without flaws. Genetic engineering also provides negative impact upon environment and human society. Gene for herbicide resistance may transfer to other plants and causing mutation and the spreading of super weed. Gene therapy, a treatment done to cure genetic diseases by introducing new genes to replace mutated ones, is still under development. The effect of the treatment is short-lived as for now. Moreover, the virus used as a vector the deliver the foreign gene may not be silenced completely, causing to multiply and damage the host. Furthermore, there are still a lot of moral issues under debate regarding genetic engineering being done on human.…

    • 1566 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In the past genetic engineering has been used on crops and humans alike with great success. A few years ago there was a study that “concluded that the biotech varieties increased the state’s…

    • 1423 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    There is debate about whether genetic engineering should be used or not, and to what degree. There are many problems that can occur from the process and many of these cannot be avoided currently. There are known problems and there is also the fact that the whole process is unpredictable and unforeseen problems could crop up. A good example of this was the influence of a genetically engineered organism on a food chain, which sometimes damaged the local ecology. The new organism could now compete successfully against other species, causing unforeseen changes in the environment. This could then have a knock-on effect that could lead to the destruction of whole species.…

    • 1066 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Gene Technology

    • 1401 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Using gene technology, scientists can introduce new characteristics into an organism such as a plant, or enhance existing characteristics or delete characteristics depending on whether they are considered desirable or undesirable. The topic at hand which I chose to explore is genetically modified animals. I chose this topic because these days’ animals are being used and tested for many different reasons and they are being genetically modified whether it be for health, safety, extinction, or even just for experiment.…

    • 1401 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Genetic Engineering

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages

    My topic is genetic engineering of human embryos. There are currently two different approaches to this manipulation: embryo elimination or genetic alterations. There are ethical issues regarding genetic engineering. Altering or eliminating defective embryos to ensure a healthy child is acceptable. Modification of the genetic makeup of an embryo to attain desired characteristics or the creation of a designer baby is unethical. In addition the creation of designer babies through genetic engineering to create smarter more attractive or athletic children, due to its expense, will further widen the gap between the rich and poor. Finally, religious groups consider the modification of an embryo unethical due to the concerns about doctors “playing god.”…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    For many years, there has been controversy surrounding the morality of genetically modifying organisms. Some say it is unethical, as it is unnatural and may cause unwanted side effects (ex. mutations). Others say that genetic modification is absolutely acceptable since the changes create a stronger, healthier organism in the long run. In my paper, I will show you how the advantages of genetic modification greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Genetic engineering is a new technology, a fresh opportunity to better our world and is perfectly acceptable when regulated and used responsibly.…

    • 1184 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    genetic testing

    • 327 Words
    • 2 Pages

    While many people may feel that genetic testing and engineering is wrong, in my opinion I have to say I’m totally in favour of them. I like the fact that with this many people may be able to cure their life threaten disease. For this reason, genetic engineering are an important because it make people happier, and can increase your lifespan.…

    • 327 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Genetics also helps us out in ways most people wouldn't imagine. Pesticides are proven very dangerous and could lead to contamination of drinking water, and harm non-targeted life. Although, instead of spraying down our crops with pesticides to protect them from insects, crops can be genetically enhanced to naturally protect themselves from insects without the use of poisons. Scientists are also currently researching the development of a fish that contains a glowing ball inside to help fishers spot them under water. A new cotton candy plant is also under way, which would allow the snack to grow outside and float off the stem of a plant into the air similar to a flower pedal.…

    • 627 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The first and one of the most prominent genetic engineering pros is that genetic disorders can be prevented by identifying those genes which cause these diseases in people. The use of genetic engineering to prevent diseases is called gene therapy. This can be extremely advantageous especially when women screen their unborn babies for genetic defects. If there is a chance that the baby can have genetic defects, it can prepare the mother and the doctors before and after the baby delivered. In advanced cases, those problem genes can be corrected.…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics