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Running head: Cloning and genetic engineering
Cloning and genetic engineering
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Cloning and genetic engineering
Introduction
Genetic engineering is also called genetic modification. Genes are swapped across
species to produce a unique set of genes. As for cloning, genes are copied within the same
species to produce exact copies. Although cloning techniques are used in engineering, the two
things are different. Cloning and genetic engineering has been one of the most controversial
issues. While people are in pursuit of ways in which in which they can advance and improve the
quality of human life, some activities in genetics face scrutiny because they are violating
fundamental ethical and even environmental principles. The paper considers the negative
implication of genetic engineering and cloning.
Arguments against cloning and genetic engineering
First, human cloning goes against the precautionary principle. The precautionary
principle requires that people have to take into account the consequences of their actions before
they can carry them out. Genetic engineering field is infamous because of some of some of the
unforeseen effects of genetic modification. There is constant fear that lack of regulation cloning
and genetic engineering will lead to human cloning.
As a matter of fact, human cloning does not respect nature. As much as the
environmentalists to an ethic of respect for the natural world and endeavor to exhibit the
interdependence of nature and humans, those who agree with human cloning embrace the
virtues of enhancing what has already been provided by nature. If human cloning is allowed,
then it becomes possible for all other species to be genetically modified. As a result, this
obviously goes against the course of nature. One of the characteristics of nature is orderliness.
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Cloning and genetic engineering
Genetic engineering and cloning brings disorderliness and does more harm than benefit (Stanley,
2000).
Genetic engineering and cloning compromises the survival of the ecosystem and its
diversity. It only represents a major shift in the human relationship with nature. It is a break from
the natural process of evolution that has over time been known to strengthen species and also
improve the survival instincts courtesy of diversity. It deepens the alienation that encourages
destructive behavior towards the ecosystem which is very beneficial to human beings. For
instance, one may wonder why the environment should be protected when scientists could
perpetuate cloned trophy specimens in zoos.
Things like human cloning are unsafe and cruel experiments. A good example here is the
first cloned sheep called Dolly. It was discarded about 200 times before even one cold survive.
Over 98 percent of clones are either still born, malformed or die immediately after birth. Despite
the fact that they appear normal, of the clones exhibit congenital defects such as premature
aging. Cloned animals will suffer from large baby syndrome. In this case, the fetus is said to
grow twice its normal size. In any attempt tailored towards human cloning will amount to
unethical experimentation upon the unborn child (Stanley, 2000).
There is need to promote a balanced and healthy relationship between children and
parents in order to reduce any risk of parental abuse, irrespective of whether it is perpetrated by
the new technologies or the old means. A ban on the genetic engineering and reproductive
cloning will reduce the risk of such biotechnologies that are used to perpetrate abuse. Although
some people will claim to use bit in a non-abusive way, there is no reason whatsoever on why
such techniques should be used on human beings.
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Cloning and genetic engineering
The changes which genetically engineered species can make on the environment of a
region are unpredictable. Releasing the new genetically engineered species will cause an
imbalance in the ecology of a region (Goldstein & Goldstein, 2001). As such, a result which is
unknown or an accident can present several [problems. For example, an accident in engineering
the genetics of a bacteria or virus can lead to the emergence of a stronger type, of which if it can
be released, then it will start a serious epidemic. In fact accidents in human genetic engineering
can cause problems ranging between minor medical problems to death. Cloning and genetic
engineering are likely to create unknown side effects or outcomes. Some changes in animals or
plants can cause unpredicted allergic reactions in some people. Others can even make organisms
poisonous to humans or other organisms. The lives of human beings together with other
organisms that sustain humanity are put at stake.
There are even more frightening scenarios such as the destructive use of genetic
engineering. Terrorism groups and armies can develop more powerful biological weaponry. The
weapons can be resistant to medicines, and can target at people who carry specific genes. The
genetically engineered organisms that are used for biological weapons have the capacity to
reproduce faster, and this will create larger quantities in the4 shorter periods of time. This
implies that the level of devastation is likely to increase as well. A lot of uncertainties that are
associated with genetic engineering and cloning put life at risk (Goldstein & Goldstein, 2001).
Gene therapy can be a very dangerous procedure. A virus is used as vector in order to get
the genes inside. Despite the fact that virulence factors have been silenced, there is still a lot of
danger at hand. Chances are also high that a gene can easily land in a spot other than where it is
wanted, hence causing harm by manifesting itself in the unusual way. A lot of deaths have been
caused by the gene therapy trials e.g., Jesse Gelsinger in the year 1999.
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Cloning and genetic engineering
There are also a lot of fears centered on using genetic engineering in agriculture and food
centers. A gene for herbicide resistance is likely to spread into other crops, thus creating some
form of weed which may be very hard to control. Nevertheless, the genetic modification that is
passed through pollination is likely to pose a hazard to the ecosystem. The unusual gene
expression may make crops to cause allergic reactions to the users. There is a big risk that
cloning and genetic engineering will itself generate new mutations which can in turn be passed to
the future generations (Mazzoni, 2002). Ethical and scientific bodies should rely on these facts as
a basis off doing away with such attempts as opposed to the principled opposition of the idea.
Conclusion
People should not be lulled into false of security that cloning and genetic engineering is
beneficial. The risks are immense as it gambles with human life, animals and crops that sustain
humanity. It is not only dangerous to contemporary humanity, but also the future generations.
We will never arrive to a situation where we can be sure that risks of cloning and genetic
engineering are zero. Scientists will purport to make the risks appear “acceptable”. Based on the
above arguments, genetic engineering and cloning does not improve the circumstances of
humans, but instead destroys humanity and the ecosystems.
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References
Stanley, D. (2000). Genetic engineering: The cloning debate. New York: Rosen.
Goldstein, M. C., & Goldstein, M. A. (2001). Controversies in the practice of medicine.
Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Mazzoni, C. M. (2002). Ethics and law in biological research. Boston: Kluwer Academic
Publishers.