Genetic Engineering: Humanities Saving Grace or the End of the Human Race?

In this unit, the two periods of biology studied and learned more about GMO’s. We looked into things such as breeding and eugenics and how exactly it relates to the overall action of genetically modifying organisms. A genetically modified organism is the result of a gene from one organism, purposefully being changed to improve another organism. According to americanradioworks, organisms were being manipulated dating all the way back to prehistoric times to the 1900s. Farmers and naturalists began to notice “hybrid” plants, being produced through natural breeding. In 1900, European plant scientist began using Gregor Mendel's genetic theory to manipulate plants to produce a more desirable outcome. This means that Organisms have been getting genetically modified for years. Although the event of this action dates back for years, controversies are still shared in classrooms and homes, about whether GMOs are a necessary part of today’s life.

It is incredible to see how far genetic engineering has come. Humans, plants, and any living organism can now be manipulated. Scientists have found ways to change humans before they are even born. They can remove, add, or alter genes in the human genome. Making things possible that humans (even thirty years ago) would have never imagined. Richard Hayes claims in SuperSize Your Child? that genetic engineering needs to have limitations. That genetic engineering should be used for medical purposes, but not for “genetic modification that could open the door to high-tech eugenic engineering” (188). There is no doubt that genetic engineering can amount to great things, but without limits it could lead the human race into a future that no one

We have technology everywhere in all aspects from organ transplants to digital and social media, the internet and cell phones and so much more. All of these technologies have helped us improve as a species and evolve at a rapid pace over the last few decades. We can quickly connect, get information and decide on which choices to make. More and more we realize the importance of personal health, healthy food, and the health of the planet. Technology in Genetics is moving front and center, gaining a higher profile than it has ever previously had. The GMO has brought about changes in resources for food and medicine and even animals. The controversy both for and against combined with mixed unclear information make it a bit of a double edge sword

The article shows that GMOs having been modified to produce herbicides and insecticides, cause damaging effects on human cells because of the toxic residues on the plants. Séralini is professor of molecular biology at the University of Caen, France, and president of the scientific board of CRIIGEN (Committee of Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering). The author was Professor of Biology for 8 years and then became a PhD student in biology at the Institute of Fundamental Applied Biology from the University of Caen Basse Normandie in the team of Professor Séralini and project manager in the CRIIGEN. This study relies on experiments conducted in the laboratory. The study has the support of several members in the scientific community that adds credibility for the same. The study is relevant because it proves that GMOs could potentially be harmful because they are toxic to animal and human

“A scientific study published last year concluded that eating genetically modified corn (GM corn) and consuming trace levels of Monsanto’s Roundup chemical fertilizer was linked with rats developing shockingly large tumors, widespread organ damage, and premature death” (Adams). This study was published in 2012 and is also criticized by corporate GMO trolls who argued that scientists should not show pictures of rats with large cancer tumors caused by GMOs because the pictures scare consumers into being afraid of GMOs. Roundup is a chemical fertilizer that is produced by Monsanto and the reason why it is harmful is because Monsanto adds pesticides in their chemical fertilizer to keep their crops from being eaten by insects. The evidence provided earlier is significant because the pesticides are a hazard that

Humanity’s advancements over the course of history have been due to major technological milestones. Of these milestones, arguably the most important has been the advent of agriculture. Agriculture has allowed humans to store food in surplus which frees them from slaving in fields and allows focus on more scholarly and artistic pursuits. As time has progressed, agriculture itself reach important advances, from selective breeding to artificial fertilizer. However, one of the most recent advances in modern times has been met with suspicion and distrust. Genetically modified organisms, commonly referred to as GMOs, have begun to be used in commercial agricultural and their widespread use in food for humans and livestock is on the rise. Many

GMO Controversy. The beginning of the altering of DNA, which has been encoded in both plants and animals, results in drastic consequences applied to both pro and anti GM foods. Within this article a GMO is referred to as “transgenic crops, where the genes from a nonplant organism (usually bacteria) are deliberately inserted into a plant (using recombinant DNA or gene-splicing) in hopes the new plant will exhibit certain desirable traits” (Norwood, Oltenacu, Lorenzo, & Lancaster, 2015, p. 60). Arguably the traits do not always have the best of outcomes. Genetic mutations which show morbid alterations within the bodies of animals and humans, are less likely to have exposure, limiting the discussion or visual representation, outside of the producer.

Imagine, if you will, something that can protect our food from pests. Something that saves our water resources by watering our crops less. Imagine something that allows us to feed more people and grow more food. This, among many other things, is what the GMOs claim to fame is. What actually is a GMO? In recent years the conversation about this topic has increased significantly for good or ill. We hear amazing things about GMOs, all the potential benefits for mankind and our food. Conversely, we hear very negative things about GMOs and how it adversely affects our food and the people eating these foods. What is the truth? What do the facts says, and what is the world doing about GMOs? This paper will discuss what a GMO is, the labeling of GMOs and the controversies surrounding GMOs. These three topics will lead to a better understanding of the GMO debate.

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.

…a well-publicized study sharply criticized by industry found that rats fed GMO corn developed tumors and organ damage. Moreover, new questions continue to emerge.

Genetically modified Organisms (GMOs) are the result of artificial genetic modification of organisms. Typically plants and livestock are modified to resist disease, herbicides, and pests (Tsatsakis, et al). Furthermore, the biotech industry is growing in sales as well. In 2012, biotechnology generated about 323.8 billion US dollars (Tsatsakis, et al). While scientists search for the safest possible methods of genetic modification, many people disagree with the use of GMOs, and some actively try to shut down Biotechnology centers for their practices. Likewise, it is argued whether GMOs are safe enough to consume in our food. While many experiments and studies suggest that GMOs have some risk, no matter the method, many actually ignore the facts given that show us GMOs are more beneficial than harmful to our society.

In 1990, the science world began a vigorous new exploration of human DNA- the Human Genome Project. The goal of this project was to map out all the human genes (An Overview of, 2015), which ultimately led to a deeper understanding of all genes, not just a human’s. This deeper understanding also helped scientists to progress further in the technology of recombinant DNA. Recombinant DNA is when DNA from different cells is spliced together, creating a new strand (Kuure-Kinsey, 2000). Recombinant DNA is often used to genetically change a cell, which is known as genetic engineering. Genetic engineering can be used to prevent and alleviate symptoms of various diseases, by pinpointing and fixing the gene that causes them. It enables organisms to

Genetically modified foods are sold in many grocery stores. People eat these foods without much thought about the effects or issues that they can cause. They have not been educated properly about the potential risks of genetically modified foods. It is important that people know what is in their food and how it is grown. New genetically modified foods should undergo rigorous, long term testing before they are introduced to the market to determine safety for the general population. It is important for people to know what is in the food that they are eating..

Nowadays, with our continuous advancements in technology and engineering, the idea of genetic modifications is no mystery. A well known example of genetic engineering is found in the very food that we eat. We know this as genetically modified organisms or GMO’s as noted in Matthew Liao’s research paper titled, “Selecting Children: The Ethics of Reproductive Genetic Engineering.” However, GMO’s have been placed under

A 2012 French study posted in the international journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology, a study to observe the long term results of GMOs, they discovered the fact that rats fed on a weight-reduction plan of Monsanto's GMO corn evolved huge tumors as well as suffered organ damage. The effects have been mainly bad in favor of the female rats.