The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Engineering

In the technology of genetic engineering of animals the first essential step is to ensure that the

A genetically modified organism, GMO, has been altered by genetic engineering techniques. GMOs are widely used by scientists in many different ways to include the production of food and in research.8 Zebrafish genetically modified to be a fluorescent bright red, green and orange have been available for purchase as pets in 49 states in the United States since 2003.8 However, these patented GloFish are banned in California. The California Fish and Game Commission decided the fish were the result of a “trivial use for a powerful technology.”7 The Commission’s belief that the fish should not have been created led to a law making the GloFish illegal. Originally GloFish were developed by scientists in Singapore to be living pollution sensors as they would only glow when in the presence of pollutants.7 The Commission’s ban on GloFish highlights the controversy over genetically modified organisms and how public opinion can be swayed by the beliefs of others whether those beliefs are based on science or not. This paper will focus first on what genetic modification means and then will look at the pros and cons of genetically modified foods. Finally, the author’s opinion of the issue of GMO food will conclude the paper.

According to the World Health Organization, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are “organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination” (WHO). Genetically enhancing organisms is not a new process; humans have selectively bred

Since the inception of domestication approximately 10000 years ago, humans have been selectively breeding animals so that only their desirable traits remain, a process called artificial selection. Through artificial selection we have been creating species that perform tasks more efficiently and effectively, and serve our needs in a multitude of ways. Furthermore, the benefits of artificial selection are remarkably similar to genetically modified animals in many key ways. The increase in resilience, pharmaceutical benefits, and productivity are just a few of the many significant reasons why genetically modified animals should be supported and accepted in our world today.

Various hosts can have their genes genetically modified, such are animals, plants, bacteria, insects, and even fish. Since the domestication of some animals, such as dogs and cats, they have been genetically modified for better living with humans. The process of genetic engineering was developed in 1973, “which is the process of directly transferring DNA from one organism to another” (Goldbas 20), because of this it became possible for scientist to alter the genes of food. Even though I believe that GMOs should not be used in our food supply, there are some advantages in using GMOs for other things. Such as using them to help create different types of medicine. The author states, “Plants, animals, and bacteria have been used since the 1980s, for instance in the production of pharmaceutical drugs (biopharmaceuticals) such as the

Genetic engineering, specifically in humans, is directly altering a person’s genes typically before they are born. An argument of whether the process of modifying genes should be legal or not has only been brought up recently, however, the first known account of successfully altering an embryo was in 2000 when Jack Nash needed to aid in saving the life of his dying little sister which could only be done with the help of genetic engineering. While the act of creating modified embryos for clinical purposes has no ban in the United States, many countries would disagree with the process of editing the natural embryo.

1976, p.45) . Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genes. It uses the

A Genetically Modified Animal is an animal that has had its genetic material altered “by adding, changing, or removing certain DNA sequences in a way that does not occur naturally.” (EFSA ‘Genetically Modified Organisms’) The goal of genetic modification is to change characteristics of an animal to introduce a new trait, such as growth-rate, quality of meat, milk composition, disease resistance, and survival. Genetically modified animals allow scientists to better understand the biological processes and relations between disease and mutation. There is a major argument on whether or not genetically modifying animals is ethical or should be legal, on the worth of changing the

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

In recent decades, there have been many advances in technology, specifically in the field of genetic engineering, that allows precise control over changing the genes in an organism. Today, it is possible to incorporate new genes from one species into a completely unrelated species through genetic engineering. The

The technology for altering the genes of an organism has been around for decades. Now there are many questions about this technology: Is it ethical to completely change an organism to suit the needs of man? Is it worth the risk? Is it cost effective? What can this technology do and what can be expected to emerge in the near future? Mankind is advanced enough that the impact from an individual can alter the entire planet, permanently. Ignorance about genetic manipulation could prove to be a fatal mistake.

The access of genetic modification technologies may fall into the wrong hands or be used for the wrong purposes.

What is a Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)? GMOs is a plan or animal which through new biotechnology techniques, its genetic configuration has been changed. Foods from Genetically Engineered Organisms have been in our food supply for many decades now. With the rise in population and so many factors such as unpredictable weather; many pest and crops as well as animal diseases which hinder yields in agriculture. Scientist has tried to come up with some plants and animals that can withstand harsh environments. These foods are referred to as biotech foods or as many of us call them GMOs. This process gives rise to organisms which are better and they take less time to mature and are also a cost effective method. This is not to suggest that there is no disadvantages, in fact this is the reason why the government has come up with regulations to ensure that the products are safe for consumption and do not pose any health issues to the humans.

Genetically modified organisms, or GMO, have been around since the beginning of time and has been a source of efficiently surviving for the human race. From wheat to a house pet, organisms have been genetically modified to ease or appease human sensibility.

According to “Are biotechnology…,” the science of genetic engineering can be defined as “the process of introducing, eliminating, or changing an organism’s genetic material.” But as this article also states, this idea of editing an organism’s characteristics is nothing new. Selective breeding, for example, has been common in society for a long time. Hitchings mentions the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system which is just one example of many different systems available. As this science has gained popularity, ethical concerns have been brought up, along with a debate on if these concerns prove it to be unethical. Although some scientists claim that the medical and economic benefits outweigh the many risks, genetic engineering is not ethical because