Term paper on Genetic Engineering

Free Genetic Engineering papers

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“Genetic engineering is a fact of life.” This statement is undoubtedly true. But

what exactly is genetic engineering and why does it affect us? Firstly, genetic engineering

is the manipulation of an organisms’ genes and this is made possible by something called

DNA. DNA is a hereditary substance that contains a compete set of information which

determines the structure and function of a living organism. It is precisely the agent that is

manipulated in the process of genetic engineering. This protein system (DNA) is basically

a long string of “code words”, arranged in an orderly fashion, which contains the blue

prints to creating all of the proteins in the body. It is also the single most important factor

in gene manipulation. In the process of genetic engineering, one or more genes of an

organism is taken out of the DNA and inserted into the DNA of another organism. This

process can take place in any living creature from bacterium to human beings.

So why is Genetic engineering such a controversial topic? To many it seems just

another technological development that was bound to surface with time, however it was

not until now that any form of technology held the power to create, change and formulate

life. Those in favor of genetic engineering argue that since genetic codes are the

determining factor in appearance, personality, health, and aging, the development of

genetic engineering will certainly lead to the control and improvement of our health and

quality of life. We would also be able to improve the genes of animals and plants so that

these organisms can better serve the human race. Pretty convincing right?

In theory, genetic engineering seems like the answer to the worlds’ problems. In

the medical field, the uses of this technology appear endless. For one, through the process

of gene manipulation, necessary drugs like insulin can be created and grown in large

quantities, in a very inexpensive manner. Secondly, pure versions of certain treatment

drugs can reduce the risk of other complications. This is the case with factor VIII. factor

VIII is a blood clotting agent missing in people who suffer from hemophilia and it has

been created through genetic engineering. The advantage of the bioengineered form is that

it is pure which would eliminated the possibility of viral infection. This is important

because almost all people who received factor VIII before 1985 contracted the Aids virus.

Genetic engineering can also open the door for the elimination of genetic diseases ranging

from cancer to blood, liver, and lung disorders through the use of gene therapy. Other

medical uses of the technology could include boosting our immune systems, making us

less susceptible to sickness, and even extending our life span to over 100 years.

According to the supporters of genetic engineering, the medical field is not the

only place where genetic engineering can have a positive impact. In agriculture, genetics

can also be extremely beneficial. In theory, with the help of genetic engineering we would

be able to enhance crops and make them resistent to disease and pestilence, which kills a

large portion of crops annually. There is also the possibility of injecting plants with

bioengineered viruses that would kill of bugs and other creatures that attack plants,

reducing or even eliminating the need for environmentally unsafe pesticides and chemicals.

Another use of the gene manipulation of crops would increase crop yield, which would in

turn lower prices and feed more hungry children.

Animals can also be affected by this cutting edge technology. With genetics and

gene therapy, we would be able to make animals have organs that would be quite similar

to those of humans, thus making them transplantable. The gene of animals could also be

manipulated to breed healthier and meatier animals. Also supporters of genetic engineering

believe that the process can put an end to the fear of extinction because we would be able

to clone animals which human pollution and deforestation have caused to disappear. The

possibilities are endless, it would even be possible to breed faster growing trees, which

would in turn allow for the repopulating of the rains forests.

Lastly, genetic engineering would affect the evolution of the most precious species

created, Homo Sapiens. Using genetic engineering we would be able to enhance the

human genome. This for most is the scariest possibility stemming from genetic

engineering. After the cloning of Dolly the sheep, scientists had the world

wondering...what’s next? It is quite reasonable to say that most would agree that cloning

human beings just for the sake of it would be silly, creating only negative repercussions

such as overpopulation. However, genetic engineering leaves the door open for the

enhancement of our species. In theory we would be able to increase intelligence...