Genetic Engineering : Benefit Or A Catastrophe?

Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material, otherwise known as DNA. Since biochemists Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer pioneered genetic engineering in 1973, the process has grown to have numerous applications such as medicine production, for example insulin (Mckinley). However, a main topic of concern is the application of genetic engineering on foods that we eat everyday. By modifying the genetic "blueprint" of crops, it is possible to improve many aspects of agriculture. But with any sort of scientific discovery that allows humans to act as Mother Nature, genetically modifying organisms has been a very controversial topic. Yet our society continues to grow, and the need for the benefits of genetically modified foods continues to grow. Genetically modifying foods should be permitted in our society because it allows larger yields of crops to be produced, produces foods with higher nutritional values, and reduces our global ecological footprint.

For the last several decades, the world has been plagued by widespread starvation and poverty. Economies are failing in numerous countries, and developing nations struggle to feed their inhabitants. As a result of the world’s mounting overpopulation, food has become scarce and resources are rapidly dwindling. However, modern science has provided a solution: agricultural biotechnology. Genetically engineered crops represent the bright future of agriculture. Crops like cotton, corn, and soybeans can have genes inserted or deleted into their cell membranes; this modification facilitates pest and virus resistance, drought tolerance, and even provides nutritional enhancement. Genetically altered crops produce much higher

Genetic engineering, also known as genetic modification, is an import, yet sometimes controversial, field of biology. The applications of genetic engineering can be found in use in numerous aspects of society, especially agriculture and medicine. Humans have been genetically modifying plants and animals for thousands of years through selective breeding, however the direct manipulation of DNA has only existed since the 1970s. One such manipulation of DNA is

Many products aimed at bio-fortification are in the production process within the agricultural industry. Developing countries that struggle with malnutrition are the main concern for this area of study. The FAO stated, “ For example, genes responsible for producing the precursor of vitamin A have been inserted into rice plants, which have higher levels of vitamin A in their grain. This is called Golden Rice. As rice feeds more than 50 percent of the world's population, it could help reduce vitamin A deficiency, which is a serious problem in the developing world.” (FAO, 2003). This nutritional advancement is only possible with the utilization of genetically modified

Nowadays with the advancement of genetic technology, there seems to be a term designer baby. An article written with combined different sources tells the advantages and disadvantages of designing babies using genetic engineering used on embryos. It asks us the ethical question as to whether the parent have the right reason to modify or just for the show of it. There seems to be greater risk to the embryo if it is not handled carefully; furthermore, the technology is only in the experimental stages. Another major concerns is that the technology creating a gap in our human society. Another major concern is the effect the change in genetic of child would have in terms of himself because we will not know the impact until the child is grown, and what could happen to his family tree. Even though the technology is advanced, there are still problems with targeting specific genes in the human; with that comes major risk to the child, and the human society. Another thing concerning society is that, not everyone would be able to afford the procedure, so in term it we will have two different social class. Although there seems to be many

Genetic engineering has constantly been a major point of focus in the world of science over several years. From 1989 to present day, many people have questioned not only the process, but the motives behind genetic engineering. Over the years, the term “designer baby” has made the transition from movie screens to dictionaries, where it is defined as “a baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes or characteristics.” “Designer baby” is the very term feared by many people for so many years; it’s controversial, it’s unethical, it’s destructive, it’s immoral. Many ideas related to this subject are constantly being challenged.

Genetic engineering or modification is a question that is now at the forefront of ethical discussions in the the medical community. It has the potential to cure disease before they even happen increase human potential in multiple aspects like knowledge, memory, athletics, and any physical features. It also is important because not until the start of the twenty-first century did we have the sequence to the entire human genome, and not until after that have we had an efficient way to modify DNA. To some people who have no experience with genetics; their ideas about the possibilities of DNA modification might be based more on science fiction and movies rather then the scientific capabilities we have today. As a biologist I think that before we

Despite the occasional risks and challenges that may arise in the process, genetic engineering provides more benefits that far outweigh the harms.

While walking down the produce aisle at your local grocery store, have you ever questioned where the assortment of goods came from? When asked, perhaps your first thought would likely be from a local farm or orchard. But what if I were to tell you that those very goods could in fact be from a far less obvious third choice? What if someone told you that those pretty peaches on display were meticulously grown in a laboratory to bring forth predetermined traits? As futuristic as it may sound, this type of technology is no longer science fiction but has become a new reality. Genetic engineering is a type of science defined as the deliberate modification of characteristics of organisms by manipulation of genetic material. This emerging

Genetic modification is a special gene technology that alters the genetic machinery of living organisms such as animals, plants, bacteria or other microorganisms. Foreign genes (genes from other organisms) combined and inserted into the original genetic codes are known as recombinant DNA technology and the resulting food is called genetically engineered food, genetically modified (GM) food or transgenic food. Human beings have bred plants and animals for thousands of years to produce the desired traits. It is an extremely protracted process depended on nature to produce the desired gene. Bioengineers then speed this process up by moving desired genes from one organism to another to make the

Columnist Shane Burgess also stated that GMO’s are some of the most useful, progressive, and sustainable makings in the world (Blake 1). As technology has become more prominent in recent years, advancements in the modification of food have progressed as well. The modification process is faster and more efficient than ever before, and single DNA variations can be observed in a lab (The 1). This evidence supports that genetic engineering is an efficient, speedy, and convenient way of producing certain crops.

Hunger is currently one of the world’s most widespread crises, affecting millions of people. In every single country of the world, there are people that go to bed without food on a regular basis, and many that end up dying of starvation. One way that the eradication of hunger has been attempted is by increasing the amount of food in the world, so that there is enough to go around. Scientists have tried to do this by creating new species of crops, using genetic engineering. Though genetically modified foods were originally created to improve agriculture, their negative effects greatly outweigh their positive ones.

Genetically modifying crops had the potential to increase the yield. Many believe this is the solution for solving the starving world and overcoming world poverty by genetically modifying crops to increase their yield. It had also been said by scientist that crops can be genetically modified to create food such as rice with higher levels of Vitamin to help eye sight and potations with extra amounts of protein to help the developing countries. Genetic Modification has the ability to be able to increase the amount of nutrients which we get from food. This can be known as “nutritional enhancement” Millions of people have been consuming genetically modified foods and have no side effects. Many developing countries around the world continue to starve and go hungry and suffer while we, the rich world sit here and debate.

Genetic engineering started as the concept of solving the world health problem through GMOs. GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms, are now commonly used in farming and industry. One such example is named “golden rice”; this rice was engineered to contain Vitamin A and Iron, which are common deficiencies in less developed countries

Everyday science and new technology are becoming more popular in society. Biotechnology, more specific genetic engineering has entered into human diets and on the shelves in the supermarket. New products are being introduced, which are promoted as more healthy and fresher than ever before. Genetic modified (GM) foods are those whose genetic makeup has been altered in a way that does not occur spontaneously.1 This modifying process is taking place in laboratories all around the world. Genetic modification of foods allows scientists to make changes to flavor, texture, nutritional value and shelf life of foods. It allows the buildup of insect and disease resistance in plants to boost crop yield. However, there are varying perceptions of the risks and benefits of genetically engineered foods and crops.