Man has been able to modify simple organisms so that they will produce proteins for human health purposes. Patients suffering from terminally ill diseases have used these proteins to make their lives easier and less painful. Man has been able to alter the genes of certain crops in order to make them more resistant to certain pests and diseases, resulting in a greater yield. Man can also be able to ‘hand pick’ desirable characteristics such as manipulating genes in trees to absorb more carbon dioxide to reduce the threat of global warming. In this positive sense, one can see that scientific experimentation on living creatures and genetic engineering can bring results that are beneficial to all involved. The organisms involved are provided with a better lifestyle and are at times able to live longer, healthier lives. It is justifiable when wholly used for the betterment of society, when done under strict conditions emphasizing safety of all organisms involved. The results from some of these experiments can someday save lives and maybe even assist the world in poverty and drought spells through the means of food.
All in all, these types of experiments are only justified when done for the good of people and for nothing else. Scientists should never lose track of their initial goal that is to increase the standard of living.
However, in recent news there have been reports that these experiments have been taken to extremes, such as the alleged cloning of a baby girl. On hearing of such things one is forced to wonder; what will scientists stop at to obtain the supposed ‘unethical’? In my opinion, nothing wrong with pursuing these scientific experiments when they are used to assist people but in recent times scientists have been practically exploiting the human race and other types of animals. They have pushed many an ethical barrier as they senselessly misuse’ these organisms, both humans and animals, through the exploitation of their genes by ‘adding’, ‘mixing’, ‘swapping’ and even creating artificial genes for use in human beings. Man has practically taken over the role of creating persons and random organs like that of a machine! Through these vast scientific experiments, many minute organisms are experimented upon are killed when experiments go wrong. There are also genetic experiments underway to wipe out certain bacteria that live on plants. Why are these issues being looked over? Does our superior intelligence permit us to destroy and kill any organism at random? Opposers feel that these experiments are being carried to far and cannot be justified when it comes to these issues.
In conclusion, we discover that one fine purpose of scientific experimentation is that it enables us to solve many predominant genetic diseases. However, do these things make up for the gradual abuse of living creatures? If genetic engineering and scientific experiments are allowed to continue will this exploitation continue as well or will governments come together in bid to return the biotechnology world to a state of normality rather than frenzy?
