Research in Genetic Engineering Should Be Halted. Discuss

Authors Avatar by thanh2v87 (student)

Research in Genetic Engineering Should Be Halted

"The tools of molecular biology have enormous potential for both good and evil. Lurking behind every genetic dream come true is a possible Brave New World nightmare" (Dudley 13). Although we all might not acknowledge it, these words hold the key to the future of mankind.

The science of genetic engineering, also referred to as biotechnology, first came into the scientific realm in the 1970s. This recent technology offered a new way to manipulate an organism or a population of organisms. Researchers and scientists from around the world were thrilled at the upcoming knowledge that could answer many of their questions dealing with all aspects of genetics. The new genetic engineering technology was never meant to hurt individuals. On the contrary, it offered promises of manipulating the molecules that make up the genetics of living matter in order to benefit, even save, an individual's life. Although genetic engineering promises good fortune for the human race, many questions have been raised pertaining to issues concerning safety, necessity, and, most of all, morality of the entire enterprise. It has been shown through the years, that genetic engineering not only provides great risks to men, women, and children but also presents potential dangers to the environment. True, genetic engineering can have numerous medical advantages, but overall, it is a detrimental procedure to the advancement of humanity.

The subject of genetic engineering performed on humans has achieved great acclaim as well as great opposition. Some people say that genetic engineering is beneficial to society while others argue that it should be halted. In order to fully understand this issue, it is important to look at both views in this controversy. One must believe that those who do not know their opponent's arguments do not completely understand their own. When the opinion of others is known one can then become a more "intelligent and discriminating consumer of information in our media-centered culture" (Dudley 9).

What are the benefits of genetic engineering? For one thing, chronic and fatal diseases can be avoided before they strike. Many lives, as well as medical dollars, could be saved if doctors could identify individuals that have a likelihood of developing heart disease, cancer, and other fatal diseases. If genetic engineering is allowed to continue, there might even someday be a cure for heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's, cancer, and even AIDS. Genetic engineering might also be used to correct genetic disorders.

Biotechnology presents the possibility of correcting genetic disorders. Caused by an insufficient amount of a single protein, severed combined immune deficiency is the hereditary disorder brought to public attention by David, the "Boy in the Plastic Bubble." Children with this disease cannot fight off simple infections, and they rarely survive the first two years of life. The condition may be cured by replacing the gene that codes for the deficient protein. (Dudley 85)

Genetic screening can also detect problems during a pregnancy. Discovery of genetic deformities at an early stage of pregnancy introduces the possibility of treating the fetus by replacing or repairing imperfect genes, aborting the fetus, or allowing parents time to plan proper care after birth. Such deformities and birth defects can be controlled with genetic engineering technology. Genetic procedures are also used for infertility problems. These days, for example, artificial insemination permits a female to carry a child by an unknown donor whose sperm can now be examined for genetic health.

Genetic engineering might also help elderly people. Through cloning - a procedure in which an organism or gene is duplicated from the original and incorporates precise genetic makeup - the elderly are able to deal with infectious diseases, heart and kidney problems, and even cancer. Aging individuals who remain healthy because of such manipulations, support themselves with little or no cost to the rest of the population. In fact, "they are a benefit to their community. They have time for the very young, they have vocational and professional experiences that can be a valuable resource to working people, and they may be reservoirs of community and family history" (McKinnell 72). Although proponents point to the advantages of genetic engineering, however, one needs to consider "the manipulative power of the new biotechnologies poses a threat to public health, to the quality of the food we eat, and to the biological integrity of life itself" (Wekesser 37).

Join now!

Thus, although genetic engineering has many benefits, it also has the potential to have its power abused. According to physicist Richard Seed, altering of embryos will "start therapeutically, and in the future will be used to control evolution" (Dudley 54). This aspect of genetic engineering applies not only to altering embryos but to all branches of biotechnology. Consider genetic screening, for instance. "...What if the couple (or the government) is permitted to monitor embryos so that any with an Ôundesirable' genetic trait may be aborted? ... is this the first step towards creating Hitler's master race through eugenics (i.e. preserving ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Here's what a teacher thought of this essay

Avatar

This work discusses many important issues well but interprets genetic engineering too widely. Many points are repeated and there are too many general statements not supported by examples, which is a pity considering the wealth of detailed and up to date information available.