In recent years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have replaced our diet with food that has been altered, which have adversely affected human health as well as local communities. For many years, many scientist has been genetically modifying organisms and most of the time we do not even realize that we are eating these harmful toxins as they are infused in our food without our knowledge. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are created by splicing genes of different species that are combined through genetic engineering , something that is impossible to do in nature. There are many pros and cons of genetically modified organisms and the effect of controlling nature can have a synthetic outcome as shown in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
As a starter genetic engineering is could be used to eliminate minor flaws in humanity’s genetic make-up. Because of that, the children that are genetically modified before birth have a higher chance of emerging healthy than a normal baby. Geneticists will be able to target and fight specific genetic defects before the child ages. By this, many hereditary problems could be eliminated. This can go from baldness, to a serious heart disease.
Science and technology are the fastest growing industries in the world and will always be. Reason for this is that human beings are constantly seeking ways of making life easier and function efficiently while producing quality work and leading a high standard of living. Much improvement has been seen in the agricultural sector with more genetically modified foods been produced to meet the overwhelming demand for food coming from the rapid growth of the world’s population. This investigation, was not only intended to answer whether genetic engineering could be regarded as biotechnology; but most importantly it was to note that not every scientific improvement aimed at helping human beings is necessarily beneficial, at least not completely.
As a society we are adapting, changing, and growing every day. Genetic modification is happening; many people are just not aware. Genetic engineering is great for society because it can cause many new advancements for the as in world with no diseases and a world without hunger. “There is a good case for exploring all ideas relevant to our current concerns, no matter where they lead” (Pinker 533). Although no one knows how far genetic enhancing and cloning could go makes it a dangerous idea, does not mean as a society that we ignore it.
This essay will look more on the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering has some advantages. Firstly it allows for faster growth rate .Genetic engineering allows of plants or animals to be modified so their maturity can occur at a quicker pace outside of the normal growth conditions that are favourable without genetic changes as well .Secondly, it may also provide a cure for disease to improve health (apecsecadmin, 2014). Genetic engineering can be used to eradicate a number of incurable and deadly disease which could be done by identifying the genes that cause these disease, and manipulate them to prevent people from contracting these potentially deadly diseases.
The author of the work “Genetic Engineering” is Francis Fukuyama. The work details some of the advances that genetic engineering has made, along with the advances genetic engineering could make. Fukuyama in the writing “Genetic Engineering” states the advances genetic engineering has made, the several different methods of genetic engineering, the obstacles that obstruct the progress of genetic engineering, and considerations to make about genetic engineering. Finally, Fukuyama concludes with two major points about genetic engineering.
First of all, genetic engineering is going to have a huge, beneficial impact on the medical world. Forbes Magazine states that, “Using genetic engineering, we have accumulated a large body of knowledge on how cells and organisms function, and understanding these basic processes of biology is a way to understand the causes of human disease, and the opportunities to find new ways to cure diseases or improve human health.” The cures created because of genetic engineering can bring the sufferings of millions of diseased people to an end. Scientists could also use the knowledge gained from genetic engineering research to make current disease treatments cheaper and more accessible to the average person. In addition, as we begin to understand the
Genetic illnesses have always been around without any way to prevent them. With genetic engineering, scientists would be able to remove things such as heart diseases, chances of alcoholism,
Also, scientists say that this can cure all diseases by removing a certain gene. Scientists actually could remove a gene which causes disease, but this could end up introducing a new, more powerful disease to the body. Finally, genetic modifying can allow people to live longer. You may think that this is good that people would live longer, but there some negative aspects to this.
Scientist clarify that “Genome-editing technologies may offer a powerful approach to treat many human diseases, including HIV/AIDS, hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia and several forms of cancer” (Lanphier et.al). The medical advances that come along with this could truly help save lives. It may be able to help get rid of serious, life threatening diseases before they even exist inside a child. In doing this, children will not have to live with genetic disorders and live a healthy life. Ronald Green explains “Human weakness has been eliminated through genetic engineering” (570).
Between now and 2050, the global population is projected to rise from 7.2 billion to 9.6 billion. Almost all of that population growth will occur in the developing world, where about 870 million people are already suffering from hunger and malnutrition (Van Montagu). The question of how to nourish two billion more people in a changing climate will prove one of the greatest challenges in human history. To meet it, we should embrace an agricultural approach that combines the best features of traditional farming with the latest technology. The current popular attitude against all things genetically modified is totally unfounded, and will prove to be disastrous if used to stifle research and development of new ways to produce more crops in an environmentally sustainable way. The adoption of genetic engineering as a logical next step in the advancement of agricultural technology will enormously benefit society, the economy and the environment.
Genetically modified organisms help in improving crops, increase nutritious value in plants, increases its life, it has better resistance to diseases, drought or insect pests. I also agree to the fact that sometimes research and development are not done properly on Genetically modified organisms. We are not aware about the facts or figures of how much it is impacting humans. Consumption of GMO food is good or bad for human health. It needs some more time to reach humans for consumption.
What do a tomato, soybean and a french fry have in common? They are all some of the most commonly genetically modified foods sold on the market today. By using the genetic information from one organism, and inserting or modifying it into another organism, scientists can make food crops stay fresher, grow bigger, and have the crops create their own pesticides. Nevertheless, the technology to modify genes has surpassed its practicality. Genetically modified foods need to be removed from everyday agriculture because of the threat they pose to human health, the environment, and the impact on global economy.
Many of the advantages are that we can now successfully avoid illness and diseases because we can take out the gene that engenders it. Frankenstein is an example of a disadvantage of using genetic engineering. Victor Frankenstein is the creator of a monster who learns that because he is ugly and everyone hates him, he can kill Victor’s friends and family for making him the way he is. Victor creates the monster in order to destroy the meaning of death but the actions he takes after creating the monster leads to many more deaths than expected. Victor’s thoughts after bringing the monster to life were, “A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch.
● What are the pros and cons to genetic engineering?Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering. Manipulationof genes in natural organisms, such as plants, animals, and even humans, is considered genetic engineering. This is done using a variety of different techniques like molecular cloning. ● Does selective breeding help or hinder resistance against diseases in animals/organisms?