Exploring Genetic Engineering: A Modern Breakthrough

1085 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Uses of technology in agriculture

Ron Thornton
11/22/14
DNA Technology

Modern technology has taken amazing strides in the past few years. We have changed the way we deal with food production, agriculture, and many other aspects of life.. Scientists have begun utilizing these advances in technology and knowledge to gain insight as to how the human species functions. They are on the verge of manipulating the way humans relate to the natural world. This revolutionary breakthrough is what is known as Genetic Engineering. Genetic Engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA molecules into an already existing organism. A simplified version of the process works by physically removing a gene from one organism and placing it into another. This is being done in an effort to …show more content…

Some observers are concerned that genetic engineering allows humans to tamper with evolution in an unsafe way. Many think that God created man as he is, and we should not attempt to alter its form in any way. Others, however, argue that we as a society should do everything in our power to better our standards of living. It is hard to argue one way or another unless you know the facts about genetic …show more content…

The medical field has also reaped the benefits of genetic engineering. With the recent discoveries and understanding of so many debilitating diseases and injuries, researchers are working to develop new ways to keep humans healthier for longer amounts of time. Advances in technology, genetic engineering procedures, and new medicines have allowed researchers to discover methods that can be used to help those suffering from many diseases and injuries. According to an article entitled Genetic Engineering Breakthrough published in the News Medical, “Scientists have made extensive breakthroughs in muscle regeneration. They are attempting to help bed-ridden patients and elite athletes by engineering a ‘switch’ that will allow mutations or light signals to be turned on in muscle stem cells.” This discovery may also be used as a tool for the study of difficult-to-treat muscle cancers. Dr. Charles Keller, M.D., assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center and a senior researcher involved in the work, stated that "We hope that the genetically-engineered mouse models we developed will help scientists and clinicians better understand how to make muscle stem cells regenerate muscle

Show More
Related

  • A Critical Review of Francis Schaeffer

    2823 Words  | 6 Pages

    ...dvances in genetics that are hurting the human race. Schaeffer (2005) stated, "advocates of genetic engineering...support the position that the weak should not be kept alive through medical advances to produce a weaker next generation" (p. 151). Genetic advances have done so much more than improve the lives of the strong. The field of genetics has been able to identify the gene that causes cancer and other diseases that debilitate human beings. I believe the field of genetics has been working towards improving the lives of the weak instead of finding a way to eradicate their existence. I cannot agree with Schaeffer on his discussion of the use of genetics in society.

    Read More

  • The Dark Side of Genetic Engineering

    1104 Words  | 3 Pages

    I never knew what genetic engineering was until I watched a special on the Discovery channel. The special showed scientists forming the first “perfect” embryo. What was very shocking was that the scientists kept asking each other what traits this embryo should compose of. To me that was disturbing and unethical to make a living human being based on what traits the parents would want them to have. This process goes against nature just as Francis Bacon said “if we would control nature, we must first obey her” (Fox 193). Genetic Engineering does not end world hunger or cure diseases but it takes lives, harms the environment and causes new diseases to emerge.

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering Good Or Bad Essay

    1661 Words  | 4 Pages

    Science and technology are rapidly advancing everyday; in some ways for the better, and in some, for worse. One extremely controversial advance is genetic engineering. As this technology has high potential to do great things, I believe the power genetic engineering is growing out of control. Although society wants to see this concept used to fight disease and illness, enhance people 's lives, and make agriculture more sustainable, there needs to be a point where a line is drawn.

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering: Our Key to a Better World

    1117 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is obvious that both sides of the genetic engineering debate have very valid arguments based on their beliefs. However, from the scientist standpoint the banning of genetic engineering research and techniques would be a rash mistake. For how can we know what might have been if we never try? And how can with move our world into the future without exploring progress? Therefore, under strict controls, safety precautions, and bans of unethical techniques, genetic engineering could very well be the key to a better world and a better life for all.

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering Is Not Safe

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    Even through the downsides of genetic engineering scientists have had a few breakthroughs. It can help us in our farming needs and also drugs for animals, and pesticides. For agriculture, engineering is used for herbicide tolerance which is the most commonly used form of alteration in plants, and it is also able to keep insects away. Drugs are also produced so that animals have healthier meat to eat. For example, chickens can be modified to produce more eggs and grow larger faster. Which is not a good thing but it is not necessarily bad. Also by doing this a person’s moral compass doesn’t exactly point due north.

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering Chapter Summary

    601 Words  | 2 Pages

    Genetic engineering is the manipulation of an organism’s genetic structure. Genetic engineering typically involves splicing DNA from different donor organisms and then inserting the spliced DNA into a host organism. So far, genetic engineering has made great strides in a short period of time. For example, pet stores started selling zebrafish. Zebrafish had a jellyfish gene inserted into them that allows them to glow in the dark. Similarly, scientists engineered tomatoes that have a flounder gene, which allows the vegetables to resist cold temperatures the same way the fish tolerates cold water. Entire organisms have been cloned too by transferring a nucleus from an organism into an egg that doesn’t have a nucleus. That’s how Dolly the sheep was born. She was cloned from the nucleus of a mammary cell of an adult ewe. Unfortunately, Dolly died early of lung cancer, which was the cause of her unnatural birth. Although, Genetic engineering is not perfected, but in the near future scientists will uncover everything that needs to be known about genetic

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering is Immoral

    423 Words  | 1 Pages

    Genetic engineering gives the power to change many aspects of nature and could result in a lot of life-saving and preventative treatments. Today, scientists have a greater understanding of genetics and its role in living organisms. However, if this power is misused, the damage could be very great. Therefore, although genetic engineering is a field that should be explored, it needs to be strictly regulated and tested before being put into widespread use. Genetic engineering has also, opened the door way to biological solutions for world problems, as well as aid for body malfunctions. I think that scientists should indeed stop making genetic engineering for humans, because it will soon prove to be devastating to the human race. It would cause rivalries and tension among different kinds of genetically engineered humans for dominance and power.

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Genetic Engineering

    1443 Words  | 3 Pages

    Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic material by direct intervention in the genetic processes with the purpose of producing new substances or improving functions of existing organisms. According to Gale’s Science of Everyday things, “it is a very young, exciting, and controversial branch of the biological sciences.” Genetic engineering has been used almost exclusively to make corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets resistant to herbicides or [that] make their own insecticide. Both advances offer real benefits to farmers by increasing yields or farm income” (Jacobson). Genetic engineering also offers the possibility for the cures of diseases and countless material improvements to daily life. Hopes for the benefits of genetic engineering are symbolized by the Human Genome Project, a vast international effort to categorize all the genes in the human species. On the other hand, genetic engineering frightens many with its potential for misuse; either in Nazi-style schemes for popu...

    Read More

  • Genetic Modification Essay

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    A major concern with human genetic modification is that there may be unforeseen side effects from altering their genome. This is of particular concern if it is a germline modification, as offspring may inherit the alteration. Furthermore, if human modification eventually reached the point of designer babies and enhanced humans, there is some concern that those who were unmodified would be at a significant disadvantage in most facets of life, and thus could create a divide between the modified and the unmodified. As genetic modifications would likely be an expensive process, there is concern that only the wealthy would be able to undergo the modifications and thus only the wealthy would receive the enhancements afforded by genetic modification, this would further disadvantage low income groups. Genetic modification could also be misused by groups and governments to produce ideal humans for certain jobs and roles, such as enhanced humans bred for being soldiers, this would create ethical concerns of the right of the individual to choose what they want to do. It could also create pressure for families to modify their children even if it something they do not want, so that they can be more competitive in the new standard. There is some concern from religious groups that modifying humans is akin to ‘playing God’ and that it is a step too far. However, some religious groups suggest that the

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering Research Paper

    1347 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the past three decades, scientists have learned how to mix and match characteristics among unrelated creatures by moving genes from one creature to another. This is called “genetic engineering.” Genetic Engineering is prematurely applied to food production. There are estimates that food output must increase by 60 percent over the next 25 years to keep up with demand. Thus, the result of scientist genetically altering plants for more consumption. The two most common methods for gene transfer are biological and electromechanical. “Early experiments all involved changing DNA using bacterial vectors”(Randerson, 2001). Through other advances scientists proclaim how they can improve the human gene pool. All humans have genes which carry certain traits structuring a person’s chemical make-up. "Inheritable characteristics are passed from one generation to the next through DNA, a molecule that is present in all of our cells”(Massey,2001).

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering

    774 Words  | 2 Pages

    I ultimately think genetic engineering could do more good than bad. I think it is a potentially life changing technology that could help improve the world. Like with any other new technology it has risks but I think we should continue to develop this remarkable scientific breakthrough. I feel that it should only be used to improve something on a large scale that will improve lives and not because someone wants something changed.

    Read More

  • Essay On Human Genetic Engineering

    1546 Words  | 4 Pages

    Imagine a world where life threatening diseases are a thing of the past, where child are born without birth defects or serious illness. Imagine a world where parents could choose what their child looks like, or make sure their child is not susceptible to drug addictions, alcoholism, depression or violence. Imagine a world where parents could make their children genius or amazing athletes. Does this idea scare you or make you excited? Through the use of genetic engineering this imagined world could become reality. To answer any of these questions or to imagine this world, first I want to know what genetic engineering is and how it works?

    Read More

  • Why Is Genetic Modification Wrong

    515 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many unique ideas and opinions on the topic of genetic modification of children. Some people presume true that you should not play god and genetically modifying babies is wrong. Others may believe that GM is guaranteed to make the world a better place that is rid of diseases and “perfect.” Is there really a right answer? Modifying our future children could potentially cause a positive effect on our lives as we know it today; however, there are many ways it could take a turn for the worse.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Genetic Engineering

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    In just the last 40 years, genetic engineering has progressed past the range of science fiction and in 40 years from now, who knows where we will be. By then, diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and many others will be able to be cured before the child is even born. Also, who knows what else will be possible with technology that we will possess by then, and in the words of the great scientist James Lovelock,”I suspect any worries about genetic engineering may be unnecessary. Genetic mutations have always happened naturally, anyway”. Genetic engineering is the future of animals, the future of humans, and the future of the Earth as a whole.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Genetic Engineering on Agriculture

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    Genetic engineering is a way in which specific genes for an animal or plant can be extracted, and reproduced to form a new animal or plant. These new organisms will express the required trait for that gene. This practice is a very controversial topic within the scientific world. It is being implemented in various areas such as agriculture, even though there are many alternatives that can be found for genetic engineered crops, such as organic materials and reducing leeching of the soil. The controversy regarding this practice occurs as it is believed to contribute both negative and positive implications and dangers, not only to oneself but the environment as a whole.

    Read More

More about Exploring Genetic Engineering: A Modern Breakthrough

Open Document