Persuasive Essay On Genetic Modification

“170.3 million hectares have been planted with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for example rice, eggplant, and tomatoes” (Haspel). Genetically modified organisms are when an animal, food, or plant whose genetic material has been amended from engineering techniques. The first step to the genetically modified organisms birth was when a russian scientist in 1935 discovered deoxyribonucleic acid. Therefore, after the birth of deoxyribonucleic acid (D.N.A.) according to Dictionary.com it is “an extremely long macromolecule that is the main component of chromosomes and is the material that transfers genetic characteristics in all life forms.” Thus came the first genetically engineered crop a 1982 antibiotic resistant tobacco plant (Wikipedia). Consequently genetic engineering has come a long way in society, for example its safety issues. Hence the debate on genetically modified crops, whether they are safe still remains on a tightrope is that genetically modified crops are nontoxic of consumption.

For a while now, the food that we consume has been generated through a far more complicated process than we had ever thought. Genetically Modified Organisms is the process by which food is being altered and grown in ways that do not occur naturally. Farming practices have been altered from organic to majorly GMO, in order to accommodate this highly profitable industry as well as the high demand by the citizens. GMOs allow food to grow faster, act as a bug repellant, and also cause the product to grow bigger in size in a short time span. We have for the most part stopped relying on local farmers and organic product to know depending on what is most convenient to us. With grocery stores being so readily available with anything you could possibly think of, or ask for, it would be hard to pass this convenience up.

whereas they do not have control over other countries governed laws. Allowing the United States to fall behind other countries technical and medical enhancements is not a wise decision. The United States would be taking a drastic step backwards by not saving lives, like this technology has done before(Farahany). Scientists have finally found a safer form of genetic modification and are not being allowed to perform these procedures because of safety regulations that no one can improve without funding to understand what exactly is the problem with this technology.

In his Article “Let’s play God! Gene drives could be a powerful new tool to manage wild ecosystems”, Ronald Bailey explains why genetic engineering causes unease in some people. “WOULDN 'T IT BE great if scientists could genetically engineer mosquitoes to be immune to the malaria parasite, thus protecting people from that disease? How about restoring the effectiveness of a pesticide by eliminating resistance genes in weeds and insect pests? Or altering genomes to eradicate a pesky invasive species? These are exactly the sorts of things that a new biotechnological tool could do--and that 's got some people worried.” Introducing new

Genetics is a world of unknown limitations. From the small fraction of application seen being explored today, they have yet to even begin exploring its true wonders and comprehend its beauty as an entirety. As of today, animals and plants have been the only beneficiaries of genetic research and experimentation (National Human Genome Research Institute). Such experiments have led to the development of better chances of survival of modified organisms against harsh environments. Pigs and cows are an example of how organisms can be modified to better effect the environment (Moss). Corn is an example of how crops can be adapted for other, previously unsuitable areas such as Africa (Glenn). Animals and plants have greatly benefited from genetic modification and research, but why should they be the only ones to get such great results. Humans should be granted the right to

On May 5, 2001, the world’s first genetically modified children were born. The United States performed an experiment from which, thirty healthy, GM babies were born; which brought up a concern for the ethics involved. The babies were born to mothers who would have been considered infertile otherwise. These children have DNA from three parents, two females and one male. Scientists extracted an egg from the infertile mother, and inserted fertile genes from the other woman before fertilization, in hopes of conceiving. The infertile women from the experiment were found to have defects in the mitochondria of their egg cells which prevented them from conceiving. Using the “healthy” eggs, scientists took fertile mitochondria and placed it into the infertile egg of the mother. Since these children have now inherited the modified genes into their germline, their “new” genes can be passed down to their children as well. Lord Winston, of the Hammersmith Hospital in West London, told BBC that, “Regarding the treatment of the infertile, there is no evidence that this technique is worth doing . . . I am very surprised that it was even carried out at this stage.”

A GMO is an organism whose genetic makeup is changed by humans. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics that it does not have normally.

People always look for miracles in their life. What if there is a way to miracles? Genetic engineering can create miracles, by making impossibles to possibles. From the name genetic engineering we can define that is all about genetics. Haircolor, color skin, eye color, long or short all comes from genes that are inherited from the parents. What if we can create and customize our gene to have specific traits and actions? Genetic engineering is more beneficial than risky and has a huge effect on the today’s society because it plays a major role with treating human diseases, for pharmaceuticals and genetically modified foods for people and animals.

Our world is full of complications, situations that need people’s attention. Scientists are attempting to find answers for most of the world’s difficulties. Nevertheless, a solution for one problem creates some other obstacle. It becomes impossible to create a solution that does not have side effects. One of the difficult situations in this world is hunger and poverty. Many people lack enough food to live a healthy life, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. In order to provide sufficient food and maintain food security, scientists discovered genetically altered foods. Genetically engineered foods are grown from plants or animals whose genes are modified by inserting new genes that can increase the plant’s and animal’s resistance to diseases and worms. By doing so, researchers improve crop yield and animal products. In addition to increasing the amount of food produced, scientists enhance the nutritive content of crops by using biotechnology, which results in reducing malnutrition. Furthermore, some investigators claim the environmental importance of

only harm the environment, but humans as well. Many studies have shown that people get toxic

Genetic engineering has become increasingly normalized in today’s society, and people are exposed to this technology now more than ever before. Most people are aware that food companies practice genetic engineering on their plants in order to design the most profitable crops, but it isn’t generally known that this same technology can be applied to humans. The concept of picking certain traits and characteristics of a human may appear desirable, but many risks and potential side effects may follow considering that it is unknown what genetic engineering could affect in future generations. Francis Fukuyama, an accomplished and distinguished professor of political economy and philosopher, conveys his concern that genetic engineering is developing at a surprisingly rapid rate. Within his book, Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution, he claims that genetic engineering not only will potentially be detrimental for the human race, but due to the change in nature of human beings, such engineering will also result in significantly impacting government and politics. Although genetic engineering can be seen as a huge technological advancement that could potentially help millions, there are drastic negative effects and reasons for disapproving genetic engineering that are too important to be overlooked.

    Humans have been intentionally changing the genetic properties of animals and plants for centuries, through all the standard breeding techniques of the use of radiation and chemicals to create random mutations, some of them turn out to be useful, for example Genetic Modified (GM) Foods. What is Genetically Modified (GM) Foods? GM foods are foods that are derived from organisms that have been genetically engineered. Also they are called genetically engineered (GE) or transgenic crop that are generally made of a genetic marker. GMO have a very long history. In fact, they have been around for thousands of years. So perhaps the conflict over their safety shouldn't be about whether they are safe for humans to consume, but rather how they will impact long term.Even though Genetically Modified Foods (GMF) would increase food costs, these can improve yields for farmers, provide nutritional benefits,and help to alleviate the increasing global population of third world countries.

With only a 20-year history, genetic engineering is only a young science with much uncertainly relativity compared to other fields. Much of the elements bioengineering studies and experiments, the DNA genome and sequence, are still unknown to the scientific community. Changes in genes greatly transform the condition, structure, and essence of an organism, giving us an entirely different and unnatural creation. Even when the physical effects are barely noticeable or deemed safe and ethical, these modified creations’ effects on the environment are impossible to predict and will only emerge when the damage done becomes evident to the human population. Though a large unknown looms over modifying genes, bioengineering industries insist upon dismissing the scare over genetic foods with the vast potential “miracle” foods can benefit upon human society.

Why live a life with average abilities when we can enhance our abilities through genetic engineering on our DNA for the greater good? Genetic engineering is “the artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid molecules in order to modify an organism or population of organisms.” It is not exactly a science in a broad sense, but a branch of biotechnology, which uses methods of molecular and biology, virology, and genetics. Genetic engineering on the human genome should be approved because it has the potential to make lives and the world better. Genetic disorders could be permanently eliminated, certain genes could be reactivated for regrowth of necessary cells, eliminating many neurological disorders, and delaying ageing, which would expand scientific research in order to many world complications.

Genetic engineering is currently a growing field in which people are obsessing over. This is new and upcoming technology that combines genetic and Nanotechnological enhancements, which completes the direct manipulation of DNA to alter an organism’s characteristics in a particular way. In my opinion, it may very well be a great improvement, but it should only be used when necessary. If I were a parent of a child under 12 years of age, I would not sign up for the enhancement.