Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering

The main plot of the novel “Dawn” is that of an African American woman, Lilith Lyapo, who awakes from a centuries-long sleep, and finds herself aboard the vast living spaceship of the Oankali. Alien creatures who are covered in writhing tentacles, the Oankali saved every surviving human from a dying, ruined Earth. They healed the planet, cured cancer, increased human strength and disease resistance, and were now ready to help Lilith lead her people back to Earth. But there is a price. For the Oankali were genetic engineers. DNA manipulators. Gene traders. They planned to give us their alien ness. They planned to take their humanity.

Through this novel, I have an interest in ‘genetic engineer’. What is genetic engineering? Is it possible to cure cancer by changing or manipulated genes or DNA? How does it work and how it can be manipulated? Also, I would question if it right to change or manipulate people’s genes? Is it okay to create or use living organisms to suffice people’s curiosity? It’s sounds like “Frankenstein” written by Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley created a myth as powerful, complex, and frightening as the monster in the novel itself. Dr. Frankenstein tried to create a living thing, but just after he finished his work, he became the abundant of his creation.

This article questions the possibility of man creating another living thing as a creator. Since I am a Christian, it is very uncomfortable for me. It is plain that people act beyond their authority in doing so. People have no warrant for doing that. I believe that God is the only Creator. Then, the question can be asked if people have attempted to change or manipulate genes to helping people or solve problems. How can we divide helping ...

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...of good; in medicine, in curing and preventing disease, and in producing chemicals more cheaply and more safely. Its immediate potential for good is far, far greater than its potential for harm if the scientists will not misuse and use the genetic engineering for a wrong purpose.

Works Cited:

Butler, Octavia E. DAWN Xenogenesis. New York, N.Y.: Warner Books, Inc, 1987.

Newell, John. The Gene Shifters. London: W.H. Allen & Co plc, 1989

Nicholl, Desmond S. T. An Introduction To Genetic Engineering. New York, N.Y.: Cambridge University Press, 1994.

Shelley, Mary. “Frankenstein.” The Presence of Others. Andrea A. Lunsford. & John J. Ruszkiewicz. U.S.A.: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000

Martin, Emily. “The Body at War: Media View of the Immune System.” The Presence of Others. Andrea A. Lunsford. & John J. Ruszkiewicz. U.S.A.: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000.