Download The Effects of Genetic Engineering Some scientists involved in the

The Effects of Genetic Engineering
Some scientists involved in the field of genetic research have been moving toward
the goal of being able to change DNA. To some people, this is the chance for a better and
healthier life, but there are other people fear that it is "playing God" and
trying to "program" a human being. Each of these views is right in certain
ways. Genetic engineering could be used to enhance people’s lives, but it could also be
used to harm people’s lives.
If future research produces more effective and accurate processes to manipulate
human DNA, scientists will be able to create cures for diseases that are not curable today.
Even birth defects could be almost totally eliminated if doctors were able to change a
child’s genes before birth. The process could also be adapted to cure hereditary diseases
and prevent them from passing to future generations. It could also allow people with
family histories of diseases, such as cancer, to "fix" their genetic
predisposition to the disease.
Another way that genetic engineering could affect our lives is its application to
plants and animals used for food. If farmers breed plants and animals specifically
engineered to produce more meat or fruit, faster and easier than normal, then food would
become cheaper and more plentiful. In addition, genetic engineering might allow the
creation of better tasting, or more nutritious foods.
Genetic engineering can also be applied in the fight against diseases. Through
genetic engineering, people could maintain their lifestyles without the threat of AIDS or
cancer. People of the world would not have to live in fear of contracting a deadly virus
or hereditary disease. In theory, genetic engineering can accomplish this. Genetic
engineering can improve the health of society tremendously then as it is known today.
Today genetic engineering is used in the fight against problems such as cystic fibrosis,
the "bubble boy" disease, diabetes, and several more. Cystic fibrosis is the
leading hereditary cause of death among Caucasian Americans, affecting one in every
two thousand children and young adults. Another deadly disease now being treated by
genetic engineering is the "bubble boy" disease. This disease is characterized
by a gene mutation that causes a deficiency in ADA, which causes the cells of the
immune system to be destroyed. In 1990, copies of a normal ADA enzyme were inserted
into an inactive virus—a carrier; the carrier was then introduced to a young girl’s system
who was suffering from the "bubble boy" disease. The virus began to infect
the girl’s T-cells and the colony began to grow. She was then given several other
transfusions. In 1992 her treatment had proven successful and her immune system had
grown very strong.
Although they might have a positive effect, new organisms created by genetic
engineering could present an ecological problem. The changes that a genetically
engineered species would make on the environment of a region are unpredictable. Just
like an exotic species, the release of a new genetically engineered species would also
have the possibility of causing an inbalance in the ecology of a region. An accident or an
unknown result could present several problems. An accident in engineering the genetics
of a virus or bacteria could result in a stronger type, which, if released, could start a
serious epidemic. Even worse, accidents in human genetic engineering could cause
problems ranging from minor medical problems, to death. Genetic engineering could also
create unknown side effects or outcomes. Certain changes in a plant or animal could
cause unpredicted allergic reactions in some people which, in its original form, did not
occur. Other changes could make an organism toxic to humans or other organisms.
Genetic engineering will ultimately arise many concerns. These concerns range
from ethical issues to a lack of knowledge on the effects genetic engineering may have.
One major concern is that once an altered gene is placed in an organism, the process
cannot be reversed. Other concerns include: newly introduced genes may act differently
within a new host and the overall only term effect on an organism is unpredictable. There
are also certain ethical issues of major concern. "Playing God" has become a
strong argument against genetic engineering. Despite all of these current concerns, the
potential for genetic engineering is tremendous. However, further testing and research
will be required to educate society on the positives and negatives to genetic engineering.
With the newfound breakthroughs in cloning, the capabilities of changing human
characteristics are unpredictable.
The most frightening scenario is the destructive use of genetic engineering.
Terrorist groups or armies could develop more powerful biological weaponry. These
weapons could be resistant to medicines, or even targeted at people who carry certain
genes. Genetically engineered organisms used for biological weapons might also
reproduce faster, which would create larger quantities in shorter periods of time,
increasing the level of devastation.
Like many other things, genetic engineering is a two-edged sword. Actually using
genetic engineering would eventually unleash all of its effects, both positive and
negative. After genetic engineering starts being used, our society will not simply be able
to "put it back", "turn it off", or otherwise remove it. Once it
becomes reality, it will always be with us. A study of all of the effects of genetic
engineering can lead to responsible use of the technology when it is fully developed.
Right now, however, there are no specific limits are on genetic engineering. We, as a
society, are technologically ready to carry out genetic engineering, but we may not be
ready for the responsibility it brings.
Keywords:
effects genetic engineering some scientists involved field genetic research have been
moving toward goal being able change some people this chance better healthier life there
other people fear that quot playing quot trying quot program human being each these
views right certain ways genetic engineering could used enhance people lives could also
used harm lives future research produces more effective accurate processes manipulate
human scientists will able create cures diseases that curable today even birth defects
could almost totally eliminated doctors were able change child genes before birth process
also adapted cure hereditary diseases prevent them from passing future generations also
allow with family histories diseases such cancer their predisposition disease another that
engineering affect lives application plants animals used food farmers breed plants
animals specifically engineered produce more meat fruit faster easier than normal then
food would become cheaper more plentiful addition might allow creation better tasting
nutritious foods applied fight against through maintain their lifestyles without threat aids
cancer world would have live fear contracting deadly virus hereditary disease theory
accomplish this improve health society tremendously then known today today fight
against problems such cystic fibrosis bubble disease diabetes several cystic fibrosis
leading hereditary cause death among caucasian americans affecting every thousand
children young adults another deadly being treated bubble this characterized gene
mutation causes deficiency which causes cells immune system destroyed copies normal
enzyme were inserted into inactive virus carrier carrier then introduced young girl system
suffering from bubble virus began infect girl cells colony began grow given several other
transfusions treatment proven successful immune system grown very strong although
they might have positive effect organisms created present ecological problem changes
genetically engineered species would make environment region unpredictable just like
exotic species release genetically engineered species possibility causing inbalance
ecology region accident unknown result present several problems accident genetics
bacteria result stronger type which released start serious epidemic even worse accidents
human cause problems ranging from minor medical death create unknown side effects
outcomes certain changes plant animal cause unpredicted allergic reactions some which
original form occur other changes make organism toxic humans organisms will
ultimately arise many concerns these concerns range ethical issues lack knowledge
effects major concern once altered gene placed organism process cannot reversed
concerns include newly introduced genes differently within host overall only term effect
organism unpredictable there certain ethical issues major concern playing become strong
argument against despite these current potential tremendous however further testing
research will required educate society positives negatives with newfound breakthroughs
cloning capabilities changing characteristics unpredictable most frightening scenario
destructive terrorist groups armies develop powerful biological weaponry weapons
resistant medicines even targeted carry genes genetically organisms biological weapons
might reproduce faster create larger quantities shorter periods time increasing level
devastation like many things edged sword actually using eventually unleash both positive
negative after starts society simply back turn otherwise remove once becomes reality
always with study lead responsible technology when fully developed right however there
specific limits technologically ready carry ready responsibility brings
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