Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering: Improve the quality of life Who would have thought that Dolly the sheep would cause a scientific "war"? Genetic Engineering is the alteration of an organism's genetic, or hereditary, material to eliminate undesirable characteristics or to produce desirable new ones (Levine1). Two of a kind in a card game is great, how about in society. Genetic Engineering is beneficial and can significantly improve the quality of life. The first genetic engineering technique, still used today, was selective breeding. In selective breeding, only those plants or animals with desirable characteristics are chosen for further breeding (1). Over the last thirty years molecular biologists have made great strides in understanding inheritance. Beginning with James Watson and Francis Crick's description of the structure of DNA, scientists now understand how genetic information is stored in the cell and how that information is duplicated. Building on this knowledge, more recent discoveries have enabled scientists to move pieces of genetic information from one organism to another. Many people believe that discoveries in molecular biology and genetic engineering can significantly improve the quality of our lives, but t
As biotechnological research has progressed and techniques have been developed and refined, the initial concerns over the possible hazards implicit in this new field of industry have largely been put to rest. (Stableford71) Mapping the genetic makeup of humans is an enormous opportunity. It might conceivably be possible to equip redesigned human beings with some kind of system akin to that used by bats. (Jaroff96) Until recently, the thought that we might soon know all of the precise details of our genetic instructions had to seem an impossible dream that only much later generations would ever be able to realize. There has never been a biotechnology-related incident resulting in danger to humans, animals or the environment (Environmentally36). (Beneficial18) Improving health of human beings would be a tremendous advantage of genetic engineering by, bettering vaccines for the prevention of diseases like small pox, polio and antibiotics to cure life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia are significant milestones in man's ability to better human health and the quality of life. Nonetheless, the corporate community and government regulatory agencies alike recognize the need to set prudent standards for biotechnology research, and to periodically revise the standards as the industry matures. (Stableford68) One point that immediately calls itself to mind is that humans are not good at seeing in the dark. It would be very useful to enhance the ability of humans to see by night, provided that any modifications made to the eyes for that purpose are not prejudicial to the ability to see by day. (96) Genetic engineering is beneficial and can significantly improve the quality of life in many ways such as: health, redesigning mankind and inherited diseases. hey also believe that intelligent use of this new knowledge depends on society's understanding of its potential and its limitations. While developed in university laboratories to further basic research, the tools of genetic engineering are increasingly being applied toward practical ends that promise longer and healthier lives through increased food production and dramatic new ways of treating (perhaps even curing) afflictions such as cancer and birth defects. Therefore society should keep an open mind on this issue. Microinjection is just one of many mind-boggling techniques available to biologists exploring the fantastically complex rules by which genes orchestrate life. Nevertheless, many improvements to our capabilities will be within the compass of the genetic engineers of the future, affecting not only the structure of our bodies, but also their metabolism and power of perception.
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