Genetic Engineering Will Eventually Prove To Be More A Curse Than A Blessing
Genetic engineering will eventually prove to be more a curse than a blessing. Do you agree?
In this era of huge scientific and technological advances, the debate often centres on whether genetic engineering will eventually prove to be more a curse than a blessing. The term ‘genetic engineering’ refers to the deliberate and controlled manipulation of the genes in an organism with the intent of making that organism better in some way.
First and foremost, genetic engineering may raise ethnic problems since it involves the use of both animal and plant genes. This may pose a huge problem for vegetarians since animal genes are sometimes used to modify plant genes. For example, fish genes are inserted into strawberries to make them resistant to climatic conditions and make them available throughout the year. Vegetarians may be unable to follow their fasting. They might eventually have to go against their own religion and ways. Hence, a whole culture would disappear and this would greatly affect the diversity of the world.
Moreover, many scientists claim that the consumption of genetically modified food is harmless as stomach acid destroys the genetic engineered material during digestion. However, GMFs pose a serious risk which we barely understand. For example, in 1996, a soyabean variety was engineered to resist a certain herbicide. It has been removed from sale, however, after it was discovered that a Brazilian nut gene had been inserted into the soyabean’s DNA. This caused an allergic reaction with some people who could not ingest any nut containing products.
However, genetic engineering has also brought about some benefits. The environment can improve with genetic engineering. For example, cloning endangered species or by creating organisms that prevent pollution. Also, certain bacteria can create a biodegradable plastic. It would be possible to implant the gene responsible for the production of the plastic from the bacteria into a plant and this plant could produce
In this era of huge scientific and technological advances, the debate often centres on whether genetic engineering will eventually prove to be more a curse than a blessing. The term ‘genetic engineering’ refers to the deliberate and controlled manipulation of the genes in an organism with the intent of making that organism better in some way.
First and foremost, genetic engineering may raise ethnic problems since it involves the use of both animal and plant genes. This may pose a huge problem for vegetarians since animal genes are sometimes used to modify plant genes. For example, fish genes are inserted into strawberries to make them resistant to climatic conditions and make them available throughout the year. Vegetarians may be unable to follow their fasting. They might eventually have to go against their own religion and ways. Hence, a whole culture would disappear and this would greatly affect the diversity of the world.
Moreover, many scientists claim that the consumption of genetically modified food is harmless as stomach acid destroys the genetic engineered material during digestion. However, GMFs pose a serious risk which we barely understand. For example, in 1996, a soyabean variety was engineered to resist a certain herbicide. It has been removed from sale, however, after it was discovered that a Brazilian nut gene had been inserted into the soyabean’s DNA. This caused an allergic reaction with some people who could not ingest any nut containing products.
However, genetic engineering has also brought about some benefits. The environment can improve with genetic engineering. For example, cloning endangered species or by creating organisms that prevent pollution. Also, certain bacteria can create a biodegradable plastic. It would be possible to implant the gene responsible for the production of the plastic from the bacteria into a plant and this plant could produce