Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering is the intentional manipulation of genetic material. Human understanding on this subject is very minute. Any interference in a person's genetic make up can cause irreversible damage outweighing the benefits of genetic engineering such as eradication of diseases, hereditary defects, and a shortage of nutritious food.

Genetic engineering is a radically new technology altering the traits of living organisms by inserting genetic material that has been manipulated by artificial means. Because of this, genetic engineering may one day encompass the routine addition of novel genes that have been wholly synthesized in the laboratory ("What is Genetic Engineering?"). With the use of genetic engineering we can now move genes from one species to another. According to Websters' Concise Dictionary, a gene is a unit occupying a distinct position on a chromosome and having a crucial function in the transmission of a specific characteristic from the parent to offspring" (Websters' Concise Dictionary 295). In short, genes are blueprints for any organism's trait. We are made up of approximately 70,000 to 100,000 genes. Genetic engineering removes all the barriers that have been preserved by nature. As it has no restrictions on the number of combinations, with the help of genetic engineering we can produce organisms that would never have been found in nature. Such an artificial technology is radically different from traditional plant and animal breeding. The technique involves highly sophisticated manipulations of genetic material and other biologically important chemicals. ("What is...?").

Through genetic engineering, organisms are given new combinations of genes and therefore new combination of traits ("What is Genetic Engineering?"). In the process of genetic engineering, there is a risk of disruption to other genes that are quite essential to sustain life. Humans began moving genes around inside other forms of life the moment they invented agriculture (Radford). Present fruits are quite different from the ones that are in the wild due to generations of selective breeding for their juiciness and sweetness. A lot of genes are common to us and many other organisms due to same ancestry. Yeast for example, has a gene of a human breast cancer because we descended from yeast in the first place.

As said earlier, Genetic Engineering has no restrictions, thus creating wide possibilities for creation of Genetically Engineered Organisms. Genetically Engineered Organism is any living thing that has had its genetic structure altered by genetic engineering. A Genetically Engineered Organism is also called a Genetically Modified Organism. These new organisms have never been part of nature, therefore after their introduction into our ecosystem we cannot envision what these organisms will the ecosystem and to human health. These new organisms when introduced might eliminate existing species, thereby upsetting the natural balance of organisms. Contrary to the arguments made by some proponents, genetic engineering is far from being a minor extension of existing breeding technologies ("What is Genetic Engineering?"). Genetic engineering is entirely different from breeding and traditional practices.

Advancement in the field of genetic engineering has led to advancement and development of many other technologies. These new technologies and advancements are both dangerous and threaten humanity. Consequences resulting from these new technologies can be disastrous, as we don not fully understand their consequences and their impact on our ecology. Biotechnology and cloning are one of these technologies. Both biotechnology and cloning come with a promise to benefit humanity. But who knows what hidden disasters these new technologies bring with them.

Biotechnology is the manipulation of biological organisms that helps benefit human beings (Levine). Biotechnology has existed for many centuries but dramatic advancements have been made in this field in just recent years due to success in genetic engineering. Today, biotechnology is used in many fields. For example, biotechnology is used to create new biodegradable materials that are used in waste management. Another example is in the field of mining industry - copper in its natural state is found in the mineral chalcopyrite. The bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans can use molecules found in chalcopyrite to form copper sulfate, which in turn can be chemically treated to obtain pure copper.

Use of genetically modified (GM) plants has huge potential. Benefits of biotechnology would be in the field of agriculture, including nutritious foods, pesticides, and animal drugs. Genetically engineered crops should revolutionize farming. Over the next decade GM technology can be used to improve the nutritional quality of crops and thereby improve human health. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) increase productivity in a world that is currently drowning in too much grain ("GMOs are good science but bad politics.."). According to Time.com, genetically modified foods can save a million kids a year (Nash 38-46).

GM food offers nutritional food for everyone, but fact is that it isn't that necessary. In fact there is more than enough food produced by conventional agriculture, without genetic engineering, to feed all of the world's people ("Genetic Engineering at a Historic Crossroads"). The only reason why people starve is due to lack of effort from the administrations worldwide. If the food distribution were effective, people wouldn't have to starve. If GM food is introduced on wide scale it might lead to even more hunger in poor nations due to food insecurity. Therefore any claims by biotech