Benefits Of Genetic Modification

Should human genetic modification be allowed in today’s society? Many experiments with genetic modification on plants and animals involved trial and error. While there was success in the research, there also existed the cost of many errors. Scientists soon want to move onto the next step – genetic modification in humans. The human aesthetic could soon be in the hands of men. Recent advances in technology and research through other life forms have allowed us to consider this vast advancement in genetic modification. In studies of genetic modification, scientists rarely have 100% efficiency. We need to approach the concept of genetic modification in humans with caution. The magnitude of the advancement is immense; therefore, we need to approach this concept at a gradual pace. If we ignore these precautions, we risk human lives and deformities in the name of science. Exploring the possibilities of genetic modification is important to the future of science.

Genetic Modification is often perceived as the answer to humanity’s faults because it will enhance human abilities, prevent the survival of incapacitating disabilities, and guide the innovation of the future. Sounds pretty good, right? That is not the reality. Genetic modification is not the solution to the ubiquitous problems of the human race, but rather infringes on individual rights, decreases diversity, permits too much power to the human race, and contributes to overpopulation.

In recent years genetic modification has been advancing. Genetic modification is when a living organism has been altered to a specific state of characteristics. So far scientist has made one attempt to modify genes from an embryo recently. Whether they were successful or not is question unanswered yet. Gene modification can be great and all. However, is it right to modify genes? Apparently, the population agrees to modify genes since there has been licenses of approval for gene modification. If Society cared about gene modification, then there would be signs of disapproval of gene modification. However, this is viewed morally wrong in my point of view. The pros of modifying genes are that defeating diseases, potential to live longer, genetic diseases, and able to select character traits of babies. The cons of modifying genes are failures on the way to perfecting genetic modification, genetic modification babies can have more greater problems, very expensive, and when does it stop?

In society, newly introduced ideas and morals are viewed upon with mixed feelings, including the process of genetic modification, which has yet to prosper or to crumple. The topic of genetic modification is introduced and detailed upon within the articles “Expert Groups Says Embryo Genetic Modification Should Be Allowed” by Will Dunham and “UK Scientists Seek Permission to Genetically Modify Human Embryos” by Ian Sample. They delve upon the idea that the process of genetic modification can be appropriately used in which to prevent certain unnecessary and unwanted diseases from developing, ultimately saving lives, and can provide further insight for human development. Additionally, they discuss the point that genetic modification is still at

Every living thing has genes. Genes are a set of instructions for an organism that determine what characteristics that organism will have. The genes for an organism lie in strands of DNA called chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in their body (Medical News Today/OI). Recently, scientists have found a way to modify these genes for certain reasons. These modifications are called genetic engineering. Forty percent of these modifications tend to fall in the category of cosmetic enhancements (OI). Meanwhile, other modifications are used to help a human’s experience of chronic diseases and pain. If genetic engineering is used to reduce specific, serious diseases, then I am in favor of it; however, if it is used for cosmetic enhancements, I am against it.

While the benefits of gene editing are immense, there are still multiple risk factors to be considered. Nearly every type of procedure in the medical field has at least some sort of risk element, but the fact that genetic editing alters the baseline for every single intricate part of the human body poses a far greater risk of damage to the patient. Furthermore, it would be extremely difficult to locate damages caused to the patient after the procedure has been completed because of the millions of cells that make up the body. It is of utmost certainty that genetic engineering will not be an ethical solution to genetic disorders until it has been further developed. Ethical concerns, set standards, and viability all need to be tackled first before gene editing can be a usable tool. None of the articles found for this report provided substantial evidence that gene editing or genetic engineering is ready for any type of real-world application. In fact, many of them provided evidence that it is not ready for usage. Regardless, there are certainly many roadblocks that genetic engineering has yet to overcome. Until it has been proved to be viable and safe for general usage, genetic editing does not appear to be ethically justified for usage in humans in its current

There is no denying the argument that it would be incredibly useful to have the ability to control and manipulate embryos in order to prevent diseases. However although there would be possible benefits, it is believed by many, including myself, that this huge medical step would cause more harm than good. On top of this, the concept of screening to prevent genetic disorders also suggests that a person with a disorder is somehow inferior, less desirable or not equal. Coming from a family that has lost many to the heartbreaking disease of cancer, I would love to see humans advance to a point where things like this were no longer a part of life. However, in my opinion, genetic engineering is not the solution to this nor is it the way of the future. In the article “ Engineering the perfect baby,” Antonio Regaldo quotes Edward Lanphier who says, “There really isn’t a medical reason.

The technological and scientific advancements that have been introduced into the genetics movement have allowed scientists and researchers to obtain the opportunity to edit human genes. With high rates of efficiency, geneticists can now genetically alter the genes of animals, insects, vegetables and last but not least, humans. Genetically modified organisms or GMO for short, is a term that is used in our society to label and identify foods that have been created and genetically modified by scientists. Foods that are genetically modified are not something that surprises or astonishes the American people when discovering that GMO product. However, the idea of the presence of genetically modified human beings is something that will definitely trigger the awareness of a vast amount people everywhere the world. The access to genetically engineer and alter human genes for the purpose of improving or strengthening their genetic makeup should not be allowed to do. An international ban on human genetic engineering must be enacted.

Although still a very debated subject, genetic enhancement has been around for many years with the genetic modification of crops. Just this year, researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou were the first to modify the genomes of human embryos in order to find a way to eliminate genetic diseases. The researchers used the gene editing technique CRISPR/Cas9, which, in layman’s terms, cuts out the bad genes and replaces the gaps with healthy genes. While this is a major scientific advancement, there are many ethical reasons why people might be weary of this new development.

In this paper I will be arguing that genetic engineering of embryos, genetic therapy, and genetic enhancement should be permissible. Genetic engineering is modifying an organism’s genetic makeup. There are two different methods in genetic engineering: genetic therapy and genetic enhancement. The two differ because genetic therapy serves to treat diseases, whereas genetic enhancement “go beyond” that of therapy. For example, an enhancement would be to use genetic engineering so that one’s child could have blue eyes instead of brown. Also, an enhancement could improve upon features that are deemed “abnormal” to the standard norm, such as deafness or depression. My first argument for genetic therapy is that this technology will be able to help cure serious genetic illnesses that would otherwise cause tremendous suffering. My second argument for genetic enhancement is it would eliminate the randomization of genes, so parents could decide what features their child should have.

Advancements in medicine, especially with genetic modification, may potentially change the lives of people with genetic disorders and give them a second chance at life. Many individuals are affected everyday by harmful, painful, and possibly deadly diseases or mutations. As stated in, “Genetic Engineering Will Benefit Society,” “Given that there are more than 4,000 genetic diseases, and cancer lead to over 500,000 deaths in the United States each year, it is clear that new treatments are necessary” (Christopher 1). Each year, many suffer life-changing consequences due to diseases. “Supporters in the scientific community argue that genetic modification of embryos has the potential to cure inherited diseases and disorders and increase the quality of life for generations of people” (Designer Babies p. 3). Genetic modification can improve the quality of life and prevent passing on that mutation to an offspring. Craig Calhoun stated that, “ . . . there are some 10,000 potential problematic medical conditions known to be caused by specific inherited mutations” (p. 1). Because genetic modification is just beginning to be used as a medical intervention, other strategies are more commonly used to fight disease and health problems. One of these solutions is transplants. But, “. . . treatments that replace missing enzymes require repeated injections, and organ transplants may be rejected by the body’s immune system” (Christopher p. 1). Genetic modification is a more reliable and permanent solution that can drastically improve the quality of life

With the breakthrough of scientific discoveries in recent decades, humans have attained progressively more power over Mother Nature. Specifically, genetic engineering has allowed for the modification of the genetic makeup of humans. While the power to modify genes sounds great and many possibilities, it also burdens mankind with many ethical issues. Although genetic engineering in humans is acceptable under some circumstances it is unacceptable and unethical in others.

The science of genetic engineering has brought about many outstanding achievements in that past and continues to remain on the cutting edge of research. Although public opinion has been reluctant to embrace the study of genetics, it’s already inevitably become an essential part of our lives. There is infinitely more to the science of genetic modification than the average person comprehends. This science is not only channeled in modifying food sources but in a wide range of studies, especially in the medical field. Moreover, while our perceptions of genetic experimentation have given it a bad name, this field has the potential to have an immeasurable benefit to society.

Freedom. Equality. Security. These are just a few words to describe what it’s like to be an American. In this day and age, people of all ethnicity are fighting and losing their lives in the hope of acquiring the American Dream. But is it really a dream or a soon to be coming nightmare? It has been three decades since the discovery of genetically modified foods (foods formed by organisms that have gone through altering DNA using the procedures of genetic engineering.) In the year 1983, the original genetically modified herb was manufactured with antibiotic-resistant tobacco. A near decade after, the FDA (food and drug administration) had finally approved to put a genetically modified tomato on the market. Countless organizations are proclaiming the benefits of GMO’s, whereas, other believe it’s a plague upon mankind. These include GMO’s assist in the feeding of seven billion people and the lowering of the price of food. While other people believe that GMO’s are detrimental to human civilization in that it could cause cancer and less effective antibiotics. Analyzing the main components of Non GMO’s vs GMO’s; it’s of ease to conclude the major differences and similarities; such as, increase in food, cheaper production, and harmful effects to the human body.

Genetic engineering is altering the DNA in a genome, the effect of this will enhance or modify characteristics of and individual. [1] Genetic engineering has development significantly, over many years with an increase in technology seeing a rise in the amount of genetic engineering taking place. This growth has also seen an increase in a number of different countries changing their laws and views to support or reject the growing genetic industry, with this there has been increased controversy [14] over whether genetic engineering may lead to designer babies, how ethical it is considered to be to destroy embryos afters days of experimentation and whether eradicating so called gene dysfunctions will lead to everyone being seemingly more similar and the world will therefore seem unnatural, or whether it will ultimately reduce human suffering and improve human life. [2]