The Future Of Genetic Modification Essay

Humans have been genetically engineering organisms for nearly 10,000 years using traditional methods of modification—among these methods include selective breeding and crossbreeding. Though effective, these methods were unreliable and were only able to change certain traits. A lack of control over our genetic material proved to be a clear hindrance to our species; when harnessed, advancements in other fields of knowledge would be immeasurable. Once seen as an impossible task, scientists have been able to exploit genes and take control of them. CRISPR-Cas9 is a system that allows scientists to cleave off sections of DNA and artificially modify them by inserting a mutation into the place of the old DNA. This is exceptionally precise, whilst

From the science community perspective, the CRISPR-Cas system could reduce or even eliminate many of the difficulties researchers face when gene editing such as cost, duration and accuracy. Prior to CRISPR-Cas, gene editing was performed in “big labs” with experts

Engineering, edited by David M. Haugen and Susan Musser, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010138265/OVIC?u=j170902014&xid=541f199b. Accessed 24 Feb. 2017. Originally published as "The Threat of Human Genetic Engineering," www.hgalert.org/topics/hge/threat.htm.

CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat, referring to the repeating DNA sequences found in the genomes of microorganisms. CRISPR technology allows scientists to make precise changes in genes by splicing and replacing these DNA sequences with new ones. Through these changes, the biology of the cell is altered and possibly affects the health of an organism. The possibilities are endless as this offers opportunities in curing deadly diseases, modifying genes, and changing humanity as we know it. Although bioengineering has been around since the 1960s, CRISPR is significant because of the comparative low costs and the ease of the procedure to

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

Day by day year by year we are constantly increasing our advancements in the scientific field. One area of these advancements that are becoming more and more of a talking point is the genetic modification of human beings. This means in some ways modifying and changing our genetics to fit our desires. Think of it as buying a car and changing or getting new parts. Like adding a turbo or removing a fault that prevents the car from operating at full potential. As with many things this type of activity done to humans will draw a ton of different opinions and moral questions. The big question is what the future of genetic modification is and how can it help and or harm us?

Biology, in all of its glory, is quite amazing. It has always existed and always will; it merely just waits for a human to attempt to understand it. This understanding has taken centuries, however it seems to increase with the years. A very popular topic amongst biologists today is the genome, understanding it, mapping it, comparing one organism’s to another and so on. With the understanding of this genome though, we as humans want to delve into it, tweak it, and manipulate it until it is perfection to our standards. A development has arisen that will one day provide ways to make precise, targeted changes to the genome of living cells (1). CRISPR- Cas9 is the development that many scientists believe will eventually change the face of

Genetic enhancement appears to be inevitable since technology is making a rapid turn towards genetic enhancement. Because of this fact, concerns over how beneficial or harmful genetic enhancement would be in the future have arisen. We, as a society, need to analyze both sides and decide for ourselves whether we should support the progression of genetic enhancement or do everything in our power to stall or halt it.

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.

Have you ever thought why supermarket's food is always bright, fresh and has a standard form? Or what about its unusual size? Nowadays if one walks across the fruits aisle can see apples as big as watermelons! Many people may not have noticed these 'inoffensive' details, however, this does not mean that they should be overlooked. As technology flourished, it started to get involved in every single aspect of one's life, even on food. The food industry still sells people the idea of food being produced on farms, where farmers raised and process the food they see on the markets, but unfortunately, this has become a part of the story. The food production has taken a dramatic hundred-eighty degree change, where farmers turned into engineers and technicians, food into adulterated and ultra-processed meals, and consumer's

Genetic engineering is the engine of prosperity in the modern world. That does not mean that the practice is a smooth rite; with that comes the challenge of human, humane, and environmental safety concerns. Nations around the world have developed strict regulatory mechanisms to try and combat these problems and at the same time cushion entrepreneurs from massive losses. Interestingly, the issue of politics has not been left out of this. In Europe, for instance, it is increasingly apparent that the entire European Union (EU) regulatory system for genetically modified crops and

22 people every day die waiting for an organ transplant, the effective and controlled use of genetic modification can help rectify this issue along with many others in the world, such as helping reduce world hunger and remedy birth defects before a baby is even born. There are several pros and cons to GM (genetic modification) although the general consensus is that these augmentations of current organisms are beneficial for many different people in creating a better world. One of the most prominent and important advancements in genetic modifications affects animals, pig’s organs can be genetically engineered for use in human organ transplants, to provide a nearly boundless supply of organ transplants.

Agriculture has existed for thousands of years and has been able to support the lives of many individuals through providing consumer goods. These consumer good are constantly being bought and sold between various countries in order to sustain life on earth. Although past agricultural methods were seen as natural from farmers working out in the field and growing food sustainably, the drive for economic gain that society possessed allowed for many corporations such as Monsanto to develop. The Monsanto Corporation is located in St. Louis Missouri and is known as an “American multinational agrochemical and agriculture biotechnology corporation.” (Monsanto Company, 2015). Monsanto was founded in 1901 and began to create herbicides between 1945 and 1976. With the success of the herbicide creations, Monsanto then began to develop plants that contained biotechnology traits known as genetically modified organisms (GMO) or genetically modified (GM) crops (Monsanto Company, 2015). These GM crops are “ used for agricultural purposes into which one or several genes coding for desirable traits have been inserted through the process of genetic engineering“ (Qaim, 2009, p.1). The use and expansion of GM crops continues to rise with the United States being one of the world’s largest leading producers (GMO compass, 2007). GM crops were introduced into society because many believed that this new technology would be able to improve the quality of the worlds food supply (Conner et al, 2003).

What if you could design your child before it was even born? What if you could cut out any life threatening diseases, make sure that your child is not susceptible to smoking addictions or alcoholism, and then make your child genius? Would you? Are you asking yourself how this could be done? Have you ever considered human genetic engineering?

Global warming, nuclear winter, microscopic black holes—society views all these as apocalyptic phenomena resulting from the accelerating rate of discovery in the fields of science and technology. Opinions on fields like climate change and atomic weaponry certainly have a basis in scientific evidence, but many other apocalyptic reactions derive from hypothetical situations and thought experiments. To further examine public opinions on scientific fields, we can examine genetic engineering (GE). The possibilities of GE have prompted many ethicists to provide commentary on the topic, opening a dialogue between policy and experimentation in order to address topics such as genetically modified crops and genetic enhancement in humans. Like any