The Effects Of Genetic Engineering Essay Research

The Effects Of Genetic Engineering Essay, Research Paper The Effects of Genetic Engineering Some scientists involved in the field of genetic research have been moving toward the goal of being able to change DNA. To some people, this is the chance for a better and healthier life, but there are other people fear that it is “playing God” and trying to “program” a human being. Each of these views is right in certain ways. Genetic engineering could be used to enhance people s lives, but it could also be used to harm people s lives. If future research produces more effective and accurate processes to manipulate human DNA, scientists will be able to create cures for diseases that are not curable today. Even birth defects could be almost totally eliminated if doctors were

able to change a child s genes before birth. The process could also be adapted to cure hereditary diseases and prevent them from passing to future generations. It could also allow people with family histories of diseases, such as cancer, to “fix” their genetic predisposition to the disease. Another way that genetic engineering could affect our lives is its application to plants and animals used for food. If farmers breed plants and animals specifically engineered to produce more meat or fruit, faster and easier than normal, then food would become cheaper and more plentiful. In addition, genetic engineering might allow the creation of better tasting, or more nutritious foods. Genetic engineering can also be applied in the fight against diseases. Through genetic engineering,

people could maintain their lifestyles without the threat of AIDS or cancer. People of the world would not have to live in fear of contracting a deadly virus or hereditary disease. In theory, genetic engineering can accomplish this. Genetic engineering can improve the health of society tremendously then as it is known today. Today genetic engineering is used in the fight against problems such as cystic fibrosis, the “bubble boy” disease, diabetes, and several more. Cystic fibrosis is the leading hereditary cause of death among Caucasian Americans, affecting one in every two thousand children and young adults. Another deadly disease now being treated by genetic engineering is the “bubble boy” disease. This disease is characterized by a gene mutation that causes a

deficiency in ADA, which causes the cells of the immune system to be destroyed. In 1990, copies of a normal ADA enzyme were inserted into an inactive virus a carrier; the carrier was then introduced to a young girl s system who was suffering from the “bubble boy” disease. The virus began to infect the girl s T-cells and the colony began to grow. She was then given several other transfusions. In 1992 her treatment had proven successful and her immune system had grown very strong. Although they might have a positive effect, new organisms created by genetic engineering could present an ecological problem. The changes that a genetically engineered species would make on the environment of a region are unpredictable. Just like an exotic species, the release of a new genetically

engineered species would also have the possibility of causing an inbalance in the ecology of a region. An accident or an unknown result could present several problems. An accident in engineering the genetics of a virus or bacteria could result in a stronger type, which, if released, could start a serious epidemic. Even worse, accidents in human genetic engineering could cause problems ranging from minor medical problems, to death. Genetic engineering could also create unknown side effects or outcomes. Certain changes in a plant or animal could cause unpredicted allergic reactions in some people which, in its original form, did not occur. Other changes could make an organism toxic to humans or other organisms. Genetic engineering will ultimately arise many concerns. These concerns