The High Cost of Genetic Engineering Essay - 1207 Words

The High Cost of Genetic Engineering Genetic research on human embryos, in correlation with the human genome, is the key to gene therapy, genetic diagnosis, and even to genetically engineered human beings. Knowing which gene controls what trait and causes what genetic disease will arm doctors with a powerful tool to treat their patients at the molecular level. On the other hand, this allows people to possibly manipulate genes to enhance specific traits or create the perfect baby. Genetic research on human embryos has two implications. A practical one in therapeutic research (to detect, and hopefully correct gene flaws), and then the potentiality of allowing parents to decide how their child should look (or in an extreme word,†¦show more content†¦Eugenics was and is thought to improve society and help eradicate diseases. There are two uses of eugenics: positive and negative. Positive eugenics is increasing the procreation of those with traits considered desirable or beneficial (Davis, 1981 and Saetz, 1985 ). Negative eugenics is stopping the procreation of those with undesirable traits through sterilization, birth control, abortion or counseling (Davis, 1981 and Saetz, 1985). Eugenics is thought to rid the worlds population of bad or diseased genes (Saetz, 1985. This practice, however, leads to intense discrimination against those with low status, low IQ, etc (Davis, 1981). The history of eugenics shows the ugly turn which genetics can take. The most prevalent example is that of the Nazi regime and its policy of killing off Jews and Gypsies, who were thought to be inferior (Saetz, 1985). Nazi and US compulsory sterilization laws, which sterilized the feeble minded, schizophrenic, epileptic, depressed, etc., is also another example (Saetz, 1985). 410,600 people were sterilized in Nazi Germany alone (Saetz, 1985). The birth control movement also embodied a sense of eugenics, making it a privilege for the rich and a duty for the poor. Marget Sanger, a birth control activist, was quoted saying, The chief issue of birth controlShow MoreRelatedGenetic Engineering Is The Making Of New Genetic Material Of An Organism From Pre Made Material1119 Words   |  5 PagesPeter Miller Mrs. Knetter IB Biology February 23rd 2016 Genetic engineering is the making of new genetic material of an organism from pre-made material. Generically, it uses ancient practises of selecting a certain organism to breed and hybridize. Genetic engineering is done by involving the manipulating the DNA. Restriction enzymes are used produced by different species of bacteria. Vectors are important in the DNA manipulation which carry fragments of DNA from organism to organism calledRead MoreThe Importance Of Genetic Engineering1282 Words   |  6 PagesGenetic engineering is defined as the modification of the characteristics of an organism by altering its genetic material. Although the definition makes it seems clear and concise, it is far more complicated. This new advancement has caused a huge debate over the ethics and laws of what it is able to do. Genetic engineering is immensely important because of the potential benefits it contains and the advances it allows for in the future. The ultimate goal of genetic engineering i s to prevent, treatRead MoreWhat Is Human Genetic Engineering?1193 Words   |  5 PagesHuman genetic engineering is currently a hot topic of discussion in the scientific world. What is human genetic engineering? According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, â€Å"Genetic engineering is the process of using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology to alter the genetic makeup of an organism. Traditionally, humans have manipulated genomes indirectly by controlling breeding and selecting offspring with desired traits. Genetic engineering involves the direct manipulation of one or moreRead MoreGenetic Engineering : The Field Of Biomedical Research1710 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic engineering is the latest experimental practice used in the world of biomedical research. This practice refers to humans modifying an animals’ genetic component in order to express a particular trait (Dale et al). The scientific community calls the animals produced by this practice as transgenic animals in order to distinguish between its wild type relative. This innovative technology paved ways for medical breakthroughs, along with the expansion of human understanding towards the mechanismsRead MoreGenetic Engineering Bioethical Concerns1331 Words   |  6 PagesGenetic Engineering Bioethical Concerns Bioethics is a relational field of science that deals with the intersection of biological scientific practices and ethical concerns raised by these procedures. Genetic engineering is a relatively new scientific practice and is greatly concerned with the field of bioethics, as it raises many worries revolving around the blurred moral lines of manipulating a person’s genome.This method of engineering the human genome originated from the idea that cancers andRead MoreEssay about Genetic Engineering1028 Words   |  5 PagesGenetic Engineering When we envision our future, we usually imagine a future free of disease and physical sickness, but have you ever wondered how a disease-free society will be accomplished? In the twenty-first century our world will be a very different place because of genetic manipulation and engineering. There are many pros and cons to this debate, but it is undeniable that the effects from the new revelations in the field of genetics are far-reaching and deep impacting. Genetic engineeringRead MoreThe Animals Of The Pigs1653 Words   |  7 Pagesglowing green snouts are genetically engineered animals known as transgenic animals. Canadian council on animal care (CCAC) defines transgenic animal as â€Å"an animal in which there has been a deliberate modification of its genome†1. Method of Genetic Engineering to produce pigs with glowing green snouts: These transgenic pigs were produced using a technique called DNA microinjection2. For the very first time, 10 piglets with glowing green snouts were produced using this technique in year 2013 in ChinaRead MoreThe Future of Genetic Engineering in Babie Is in Our Hands Essay1173 Words   |  5 PagesBabies Group The Future of Genetic Engineering in Babies is in Our Hands The idea of designer babies has been around for a very long time, in various media, video games all the way to on-screen movies. Only recently through massive breakthrough of technology and science can genetically modified babies actually be possible for the future. The definition of the expression ‘designer baby’ is â€Å"a baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with invitro fertilizationRead MoreGenetic Engineering: Major Advancement or Major Setback? Essay1340 Words   |  6 PagesBiochemist Isaac Asimov once said, The advancement of Genetic Engineering makes it quite conceivable that we will design our own evolutionary progress.† Scientists have always thought about new ways to progress through technology in this era, and in 1946, scientists discovered that Genetic material from different viruses can be combined to form a new type of virus. This was a major discovery that trickles down to the modern era of Gen etics. Current scientists have pioneered new ways to decode humanRead MoreEssay about Genetic Engineering: A Major Advancement for Mankind959 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Biochemist Isaac Asimov once said, The advancement of Genetic Engineering makes it quite conceivable that we will design our own evolutionary progress.† Scientists have always thought about new ways to progress through technology in our era, and in 1946, scientists discover that Genetic material from different viruses can be combined to form a new type of virus. This was a major discovery that trickles down to the modern era of Genetics. Current scientists have pioneered new ways to decode human