Genetic Modification Cons

You are probably familiar with GMO’s (genetically modified organism) and scientifically modified food that has had its DNA changes. There has been debate on GMO’s has been going on for a few decades, whether GMO are safe and even ethical. However, there is another debate that far surpasses GMOs and has a potential to radically shake society: the issue of genetically modifying humans. Changing our DNA could limit health issue or create a new Frankenstein’s monster among humans. Frankenstein had the wrong intent when he set out to create his monster. He only cared about himself and advancing his future. If Genetic engineering is sought after to just create something new there will be another monster. However, genetic can be safe and ethical if its intent and use is for medical purposes. We need to help the sick in society and one way to do that is with genetic engineering. With this purpose genetic engineering is not overstepping our authority like Frankenstein did.

Imagine a world where maladaptive genetic diseases have ceased to exist, parents have the ability to alter and improve their unborn child’s attributes such as height, intelligence, and attractiveness, and each generation becomes healthier, smarter, and stronger. Sounds like an unfeasible utopia, does it not? However, due to scientific advancements in the field of embryonic gene modification, this fantasy may soon become a reality. In a nutshell, embryonic gene modification refers to scientists altering the genome of an embryo in vitro for a multitude of reasons, ranging from eliminating harmful genetic diseases to altering superficial characteristics. Although embryonic gene modification may seem like a dream come true to many, it is not without ethical concerns that require intense debate.

Imagine a newborn baby hasn´t seen the world and never will, because this baby is blind. This child’s parents worry about his/her safety. Throughout their lifetime, this child will have many obstacles. The baby could have been saved if only the family had the resources to genetically modify their baby. Retinal Information Network reports at least 242 cases of hereditary blindness. That baby is one of the 242 cases that could’ve been cured through a new technological process that changes cells in one’s body for better cells. This is genetic modification (also known as genetic engineering). Healthy lab produced cells will replace gene cells that are negative in a personś body. Many diseases can be cured with access to genetic modification. The unhealthy disease cells can be replaced or missing cells can be added to a body. By performing genetic modifications, life spans can be lengthened. Animals and humans could live longer by replacing old cells with new ones. Also, with the assistance of genetic engineering, “super humans” can be created. Heroes with “powers” on t.v. can become a reality.

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?

Throughout the world, many intelligent minds exist. One, in particular, had something to say about Human genetic engineering. “Nuclear weapons need large facilities, but genetic engineering can be done in a small lab. You cannot regulate every lab in the world. The danger is that either by accident or design, we create a virus that destroys us” (Stephen Hawking). Hawking is considered to be one of the most intelligent people in the modern world. For this reason, his statement is not to be taken with a grain of salt. The concept of Human genetic engineering is surrounded with danger and controversy. There are several different positions on human genetic modification. Conservatives, or Traditionalists believe such innovation or change would be detrimental towards the human race. Conservatives say that families are the foundation of society so changing how families come to be would ultimately tear society apart (Foht). Others say that innovation of such magnitude would act as a boon to the human race. Concerning the danger of genetic engineering, it could definitely become an immense detriment. However, with the correct limitation and government oversight, the human race will benefit from it. Genetically engineering a Human embryo is a step that science will eventually take. Whether it be decades or centuries from now, genetically modified humans will walk the Earth.

New technological advances and scientific methods continue to change the course of nature. One of the current controversial advances in science and technology is the use of genetically modified embryos in which the study exceeds stem cell research. Scientists have begun planning for research involving human embryos in the genetic modification field. Many technological developments are responsible for improving our living standards and even saving lives, but often such accomplishments have troubling cultural and moral ramifications (Reagan, 2015). We are already beyond the days in which virtually the only procreative option was for a man and a woman to conceive the old-fashioned way (Reagan, 2015). Genetic modification of human embryos can be perceived as a positive evolution in the medical process yet it is surrounded by controversy due to ethical processes. Because this form of genetic modification could affect later born children and their offspring, the protection of human subjects should be a priority in decisions about whether to proceed with such research (Dresser, 2004). The term Human Genetic Engineering was originally made public in 1970. During this time there were several methods biologists began to devise in order to better identify or isolate clone genes for manipulation in several species or mutating them in humans.

Genetic Engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. Genetic modification has been around since about 12,000 BC, when humans first began to modify organisms. Genetic engineering as the direct transfer of DNA from one organism to another was first done by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in 1972. Genetic engineering can be a good thing and bad for a few reasons. Some good things are that genetic engineering can be used to cure diseases before a child is born, and that scientists can use it to take good genes from the parents to prevent diseases and disabilities that the parents may carry. Some bad things are that governments may use genetic engineering to create super soldiers and more intelligent humans, and that it will create a social divide with the more intelligent people with the normal people. These reasons divide people on whether genetic engineering is a good or a bad thing for humans. Genetic engineering is not only used in advancing humans or treating babies. Genetic engineering is now mostly used in medicines. Scientists use genetic engineering in making mass-production of insulin, human growth hormones, vaccines and many other drugs. Genetic engineering has been very successful in the past and scientists want to take things to the next level by trying to make these ‘super soldiers’ and ‘more intelligent’ people.

Creation of computers using tools, which allows faster transmission of information and more automated processes

Despite experiments being conducted since the late 1900’s, it was until 1999 that genetic modification in humans was recognized. In September of 1999, James Wilson, founder and director of The University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Human Gene Therapy, attempted to genetically modify humans by injecting genes in patients blood. This form of genetic modification is not the same as PGM because in gene therapy they injected an adult with genes, while PGM is done embryonically. Wilson and his colleagues were finalizing their two-year clinical trial, of which they were attempting to treat a devastating disease called ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency(OTCD), the genetic disorder blocks nitrogen from being processed in the victim's body. The

What if there was a way to prevent children from inheriting diseases or undesired traits? With genetic modification it has become possible to alter a child’s characteristics according to the parents’ wishes. In the process of genetic engineering, DNA is inserted into the organism manually. The genes are extracted from an organism with the desired traits. While genetically altering embryos is not yet legal to perform on humans in most parts of the world, it may be an option future parents will be interested in. There are many health benefits from genetic engineering for the child, but women are at a higher risk of losing the baby or they may have difficulties conceiving. Genetically modifying a baby can make the child more physically attractive,

Human genetic modification is that direct manipulation of the genome using molecular engineering techniques. Also known as gene editing and can be implied in two different ways, somatic and germline modification. Somatic ads, cuts or changes the genes in some of the cells of an existing person. While germline genetic modification changes the genes in embryos most known as gene editing for reproduction. These alterations would appear in every cell of the mother who developed the embryo and although it has not be tried in humans, it will soon be. Human germline modification is prohibited in more than 40 countries as it can be dangerous. Many people do not see the danger genetic modification can cause, all they want is the most perfect baby possible.

Scientists continue to make significant discoveries pertaining to the human life form. Each healthy human being has the same core element, DNA. DNA composes genes obtained from the parents of the offspring, and the genes go through chromosomal reshuffling. Chromosomal reshuffling is the first step after fertilization, in which the chromosomes switch around to create a new unique strand of forty-six chromosomes that will be in every cell of the offspring for the rest of his/her life. Genetic modification is the act of altering the genes in the newly created DNA of a fertilized egg called a zygote. Genetic modification detects serious diseases and in theory it would be able to eradicate certain illnesses from the human race completely. The genetic

Science has brought us very far in the world. Included in this science is genetic modification. Genetic modification can be bad or good depending on the reaction. This topic of genetic modification has been debated about whether it should be used on people or not. For now, genetic modification is only being applied to non-reproductive cells.

Genetic engineering is the process whereby new DNA is added or existing DNA is altered in an organism 's genome. This may involve changing one base pair (A-T or C-G) or deleting entire sections of DNA or adding additional copies of a gene. This results in creating new traits that were not previously present in the organism’s genome. This is done to selectively breed desired traits or to create plants with increased resistance to pesticides and increased tolerance to herbicides. For example insulin is a protein that regulates sugar content in our blood and is produced normally in the pancreas. Genetic engineering is used to produce a form of insulin that is similar to yeast and bacterial cells. This genetically engineered insulin is called

Over the years, new innovations, ideas, and emerging technologies have transformed our society and our daily lives. These new discoveries have not only been developed to help make our lives easier, but to also help us live longer and stronger lives. Living in a world that continues to evolve, creates opportunities for new innovations and breakthroughs to arise within our society. Genetic engineering is just one of many examples of the advancements that young, intelligent minds have developed throughout the years. Genetic engineering is defined as “isolating a desirable gene” and injecting it into a plant or organism to produce “a desired characteristic” (Nutrition & Weight Control for Longevity, 2005). This biological technology has provided many advancement opportunities “for several industrial sectors such as agriculture, food manufacture and pharmaceuticals” (Rastall, 2002). Along with everything else in life, genetic engineering has some upsides and downsides. Today I am going to discuss the positive and negative outcomes that genetic engineering is recognized for in the agricultural industry.