Genetic engineering (GE) is one of the greatest scientific advancements up to this
day. The first genetically engineered organisms were pigs with implanted cow or human
growth hormone genes in 1985. However, genetic engineering has not improved much
and has resulted in many animal casualties. It is proven that genetic engineering can be
harmful to an organism’s genomes, but it can also help humans fight fatal diseases and it
allows our race to create new organisms such as genetically engineered sheep for more
wool, which can make our lives easier and more enjoyable.
Not one of the promised benefits of genetically engineering farm animals has
been fulfilled, yet every month brings in new reports of animal casualties (O’Brien,
1997). Many animals have been killed by the process of implanting genetically
engineered embryos into them due to the surgery that is needed to extract them again.
Genetic engineering in plants has resulted in unwanted mutations and has sometimes led
to allergies in crops. Genetic engineers cut genes out of the DNA of one organism and
then they try to add it to another. However, when they add the genes it is a completely
random process. “As a consequence, there is a risk that it may disrupt the functioning of
other genes essential to the life of that organism” (Bergelson, 1998). There are many cons
to the process of genetic engineering, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Potatoes, tomatoes, soybeans, and rice are all examples of some of the crops that
are being genetically engineered as we speak. Genetic engineers are engineering these
crops to create new strains that have better nutritional qualities and increased yield. Many
of these genetically engineered crops have a capacity to grow on lands which are not
suitable to their original forms. Biotechnology, which is the science of genetically
engineered food, can be used to give food have a better taste. Crops can also be
engineered to be resistant to insect damage; therefore, farmers do not need to use
herbicide to kill off the pests. “GE, combined with cloning, can be applied to animals to
make valuable pharmaceuticals which cannot be made in other ways” (Heaf, 2001). This
is very useful for human proteins which are produced in animal milk. Transgenic animals
can be created so that their own organs can be transplanted into a human without the
immune system rejecting them. This process is known as xenotransplantation. Genetic
engineers are able to achieve this by modifying the cells in the animal’s organ to look like
human cells so that the immune system will accept the organ. This process is very
important because of the great need that humans are in of organs because our own donors
do not nearly fulfill the amount needed to treat everyone. Genetic engineering can take
place not only in animals and plants, but in humans too.
Genetic engineering in humans is a very delicate process just like all other genetic
engineering. “GE in the form of 'gene therapy' (somatic) could be used to repair damaged
or replace missing genes in people who have genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis,
severe combined immunodeficiency etc” (Heaf, 2001). Gene therapy is being used right
now to try and cure one of our races deadly diseases such as cancer. Most gene therapy
clinical protocols are focused on the genre of cancer and how to cure it. Recombinant
genetic engineering can be used for genetic screening, in which case human genomes are
tested for gene sequences that may result in genetic disorders later on in life. Genetic
screening can be used on embryos that are going to be implanted into a mother. They can
use this technology to make sure that it is a boy/girl or that they don’t have undesirable
characteristics such as Down’s syndrome. The advances in this area of genetic
engineering may help our race greatly in the future.
Genetic engineering may sound like it is in the future but it has been proven in
many ways that humans can harness this new technology and allow our race to thrive.
There are many flaws to genetic engineering so far and we are trying to smooth out the
wrinkles. We have already advanced quite far and we may be able to save our race from
formerly incurable disease. Genetic flaws will be the things of the past as we begin to
explore the world of genetic engineering.