Genetic Engineering Term paper
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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...
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