The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Modification

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.

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?

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.

themselves, their children, and others. He argues both sides of the issue and lays out the pros

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.

When it comes to the topic of genetic modification, most of us will readily agree that genetic modification should be allowed. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of how genetic modification can be dangerous. Whereas some are convinced that people should be able to modify their genes, others maintain that modifying genes can cause too many risks and dangers for humanity. Genetic modification should not be allowed because it is unacceptable to change the natural course of human life.

Do you ever wish you could have colored blue eyes and blond hair? Could you imagine

Taking large steps or even leaps may advance our society faster but with more dangerous risks. Genetic modification has advanced our technology, letting scientist have the ability to remove or replace genes and effectively get rid of diseases in human embryos. They do have the money and resources to start genetically modify human embryos but do not because the safety level of it is unknown. The fee of this would make matters worse as everything has a price to it and only some could afford it. This type of modification is not only solely for ridding diseases but also can be used to insert wanted traits (such as strong or smart genes) into children before they are born. But genetic modification will eventually lead to power-hungry rich people

Most parents would want their child to be free of disease, impairment or maybe even want them to be perfect. Genetic modification provides the opportunity for parents to edit their child’s genome while still inside the mother’s embryo. For example, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, or CRISPR for short, is an editing technique that in short, is like two pairs of scissors. When a virus infects a cell, it inserts its RNA into the cell’s DNA and tricks the cell into replicating hundreds of viruses until the cell bursts and the newly created viruses target new unsuspecting cells. CRISPR finds and cuts the RNA that the virus injected into the cell multiple times until it turns into small, separate pieces that pose no threat to the cell and then creates a normal cell. This also passes down through generations, so the offspring of whoever had CRISPR is now also immune to that certain virus. CRISPR also can edit human features, change skin or eye color, or maybe make them stronger. Genetic modification is the right direction if parents want their child to live a good life.

The alteration of human DNA or human genome is now a practical matter of science and inevitable, but is a question of ethical issues. Changing a human’s genome can change how they look, act, and can even minimize genetic problems. A genome can determine many things such as how someone may age, how well they adapts to the environment, and even their personality and mental health. Scientists have found ways to alter these sequences of DNA to make plants, animals, and even babies with those genetic traits seen as more desirable. For example, In the late 1980’s a scientist at the University of Japan found a repeated DNA gene sequence which later another scientist found that this sequences is part of a sophisticated immune system that bacteria use to fight viruses. (A Powerful New Way to Edit DNA). This sequence could be modified to help humans fight

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,

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

Although public opinion has been reluctant to embrace genetic engineering, it’s already inevitably become a part of our lives. Genetic engineering is not only employed in modifying food sources but has many different outlets, especially in the medical field. And while has given genetic experimentation a bad name, it has the potential to have an overall huge benefit to society.

Approximately 4 million babies are born each year, among them, nearly 160,000 have a high chance of having genetic disorders said, Anne Matthews, an associate professor. Every parent’s dream is to have a perfectly healthy and thriving child. No parent will want his or her child to have any disease. In 1973, Herbert Boyer and Stanley discovered method called genetic modification (“GNN - Genetics and Genomics Timeline”). Genetic modification is the manipulation of organism genes using biology and technology. Gene modification includes different types of techniques such as cloning and genetic engineering. Genetic enhancement is “the transfer of genetic material intended to non-pathological human traits,” said Kathi Hanna, a biomedical research writer. Gene enhancement is used to make people not only healthy but also raise their capacities. According to Begley Sharon, the senior science writer for Stat, 65 percent of individual support that altering gene of an unborn baby should be illegal. Parents should not have the right to genetically enhance their unborn child because it will limit the child’s freedom and will lead to societal issues.

Genetic engineering has become a rapidly discussed topic after many scientific breakthroughs in the subject. However, should the option of genetic engineering be given to parents who are expecting a child? Oxford professor Julian Savulescu claims that genetic engineering our offspring may lead to making them to being better people, and at that point it is simply “responsible parenting”. This claim, and many others made by Savulescu are simply ignorant to the many factors involved in genetic engineering and focus on the positive rather than the overall view of the subject.