Twenty years ago, scientists only theorized that they could modify living organisms. However, what was once only science fiction is becoming today's reality. Genetic Engineering can always be an advantage to someone. Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, stated that "not to proceed with these new genetic technologies is unthinkable as it would violate the very spirit of progress-a spirit that knows no bounds in its restless search to wrest power from the natural world" (Rifkin 32). "Genetic Engineering involves directly altering the genetic structure of an organism to provide it with traits deemed useful or desirable by those doing the altering" (Gert 65). Examples of genetic engineering include cloning, genetically modified food, stem-cell research, and genotype choice.
             Probably the most popular example of this technology is cloning. In February 1997, it was announced that the first sheep, Dolly, had been successfully cloned (Turner 1). The birth of Dolly was achieved by taking the nucleus of a cell from the udder of an adult sheep and inserting it into an egg cell from which the DNA had been deleted (Rifkin 35). "The moment cloning was announced, immediately the world recognized that it is a theological issue" (Torr 2). Many people were outraged by this technology. Tom Wilkie states that "what we do to sheep is nothing compared to what we are willing to do to ourselves with the help of qualified doctors and the pharmaceutical prowess" (Wikie 57).
             "New advances in genetically modified crops will yield healthier foods, new medicines, industrial products, and environmental benefits" (Jeff Zent 55). According to Phyllis Jacobs Griekspoor from the "Wichita Eagle," this engineering has helped farmers increase their product yield. The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy study states that the widespread adoption of biotechnology-derived crops has increased farmers' profits and income. For example,...