The advancement of science and technology has proved to be of great significant to humankind. Within the nineteenth century, the knowledge of biotechnology enhanced the discovery of the solutions to the numerous problems, which were from the diverse sectors mainly from the medical and agricultural sectors. The chief and most vital sector that has experience massive advancement of biotechnology is genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the natural method that was utilized anciently in modifying crops and farm animals genetically. The populace employed it via mating of the prevailing plants and the related farm animals in order to achieve superior qualities and that are capable of yielding a better quality. For instance, the ancient individuals breed the farm animals that were either strong or swift in order to get the best one, which they utilized, in the transportation of luggage. Genetic science has drastically been advancing over the past years in the improving of the dynasty for the prevailing livestock and plants. It has also aid in the curing of the existing genetic diseases and administration of vaccines in humankind. The massive progress of the Genetic engineering gives hope to the humankind of curing all the prevailing maladies in case the scientist fully explores the existing genetic sequence within the DNA. Moreover, individuals will be capable of modifying their descendents genetically in order to evade the rampant genetic diseases and advancing the humankind ability in the sections like intelligent and strength.
Numerous questions have arisen since the out spring of this modern technology that is destined to alter the universe in either right or wrong ways of manipulating the existing structure of the prevailing creatures. The questions that have arisen are will genetic engineering benefit the people, whether it has negative effects that can lead to destruction of humankind, livestock and plants in case they are modified genetically and whether the employment of genetic engineering is ethical in the development of people. Other supplementary questions are whether genetic engineering can violate the fundamental right of humankind and whether the parents possess any right of genetically engineering their offspring.
There is no question of validity of this technology since it aid people. This is from the rationale that anything that help humankind is right for utilization. People normally vaccinate themselves with diverse viruses in order to safeguard themselves from the related maladies. For instance, vaccines are administered to either weakened or kill prevailing virus via vaccination of populace in order to safeguard them from such diseases which is solely the main purpose that is carried out in genetic engineering. Numerous genetic maladies are epidermis and possess no cure. A good example of these kinds of genetic diseases is Sickle cell anemia, which was discovered in Africa 3000 years ago. Sickle cell anemia is one of the genetic diseases that lacks cure thus the sole remedy is the neglecting of the prevailing genes from a healthy child from the parents within the existing DNA and then enhancing them through genetic engineering. The utilization of the genetic engineering is a massive medical advancement in curing diseases and thus it is an absolutely a right method. Erythrocytic Glucose 6 Phosphate referred, as G6PD is another genetic malady that lacks cure. According to Luzzatto in collaboration with Metha, over four hundred individuals are suffering from G6PD deficiency. G6PD is mainly common within Africa, South Eastern Asia and India where majority of the infected victims are male. [“Molecular Variants of G6PD Deficiency among Certain Tribal Communities of Orissa, India”] by Ranjit (2008) detected that out of every three thousand four hundred and eighty individuals in the universe, two hundred and twenty three are infected by G6PD. This malady is caused by gene defective and therefore can only be cured via application of the genetic engineering.
It has been proved via the research conduction genetic engineering possess many benefits to the livestock, humankind and prevailing animals when their cells are modified genetically. Genetic engineering has massive effects in the agricultural sector. This is proved within the existing article,”Crossing the Species Boundary: Genetic Engineering as Conscious Evolution” Coke r (2012) denotes that genetic engineering has helped advancement of agriculture. This implies that genetic engineering results to the development of agricultural activities. Genetic engineering is majorly applied in the planting of Hawaii’s papayas that aids in increasing the protection from being infected by the Ringspot virus that had previously affected papayas within that region in 1980s and 1990s. Moreover, the research by Coker within the Colorado University depicted that either genetic engineering altered the color of the plants in case of pollutions or explosion in the vicinity that is accompanied by heading of Accor. The new technology that has arisen because of genetic engineering can be utilized in giving individuals alarm due to terrorism and industrial pollutions. Besides enhancing of the development and growth of crops, genetic engineering also aids in the improvement of the growth of the animals that feed on humankind. This takes place enhancing the faster growth and development of such animals. According to the Pollack (2010), the existing substances that are normally approved such as the Food and Drug Administration are normally genetically modified salmon hence initiate faster development accompanied by safer growth in living things. The employment of genetic engineering on such animals also provides distinctive evidence on the validity, significant and appropriateness of the strength of the genetic engineering in the universe.
Furthermore, genetic engineering is a powerful tool for developing drugs and vaccines, which are applicable in the treatment of diseases and body immunization respectively. Genetic engineering produced for the first time a drug known as insulin, which was approved by the United States department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 1982. Before discovery of this drug, insulin from cows or pigs was applied on people with insulin-dependent diabetes. The idea was effective in most instances. However, cow and pig insulin could at times increase the chances of an individual experiencing certain allergic reactions (Crossing the Species Boundary: Genetic Engineering as Conscious Evolution, 46).
Another application of genetic engineering is production of a vaccine that could be used to fight cancer. Many companies worldwide are using genetic engineering to develop vaccine to fight cervical cancer which is a killer of several women across the globe annually (Coker, 2012). In essence, scientific application of genetic engineering do not stop with production of cancer vaccine but has been used and will still be used to develop drugs and cure for lots of diseases.
The focus of most genetic research ventures is to enhance human genetically. This is particularly when they are used to carry genetic disease or genetic disability in their genes. For example, in the University of Pennsylvania, University College London, and Children Hospital of Philadelphia, genetic engineering were used to treat children with server blindness to regain their sight (Coker, 2012).
According to Baird, Charlie Whitaker from England, genetic engineering was used to treat a child with Diamond Blackfan Anemia since the time he was born. The body of the child could not manufacture red blood cells. Hence, he needed transfusions after every three weeks in addition to a drug infusion every night. In order to find a solution to this condition, his doctor used genetic engineering to make a brother with a perfect tissue match so he could be a donor to Charlie. Jamie was born with healthy tissue and he saved the of his brother after three months (Baird 2007).
Genetic engineering requires support from scientists, government and state agencies since it has the ability to solve several human problems. Besides, it is has helped people to live better life. Even though the experiment and researches prove the power of genetic engineering, several people does not support it and believe it should be banish because of moral and religious issue.
Religious organizations have a lot of reservations about the application of genetic engineering to solve various challenges facing human beings in the contemporary society. The religious leaders believe that genetic engineering is playing God. Incidentally, if they do not imagine or even think of it, it is important to face the reality as to why God has put religion first. Apparently, religion was found to help people and support their needs. Genetic engineering studies and researches have the same purpose. Moreover, genetic engineering was found to improve agriculture, applicable in the manufacture of drugs and vaccines to treat people, cure genetic diseases and develop human life in every way possible. This will guarantee every individual in the society a chance to live despite the problems and conditions of diseases they go through. In the end, the world shall become a better place to live in irrespective of religious orientation.
Another reason to why religious institutions are against genetic engineering is that they believe that it violates the fundamental rights of humans. However, one big question is: Is it human right that some people are born with genetic diseases they can’t treat using drugs? Is it right for parents to have disabled children just because they carry disability genes from their ancestors? Banning these researches will violate human right since many people will not be cured against diseases because there is no alternative way.
Thirdly, some people believe that only the rich people will be able to meet the expense of this type of treatment, and they will give their children the advantage of genetic enmeshments to make them more intelligent, and healthy. However, Is not this always the case when it comes to medical treatment? Rich people have the advantage of better health insurance, and heath care. In addition, most medical treatments and cures cost a lot when they first discovered, but they become cheaper thereafter when so many people can afford them.
Finally, sciences always face the same difficulty when new discovery is found. However, the people are subjected to it because there is usually no other way to solve their woes without it. Test-tube baby has proved that. According to Baird research “Designer Babies: Eugenics Repackaged or Consumer Options?” he said” According to Stock, on July 25, 1978, Louis Brown, the first “test-tube baby” was born. The world’s first “test-tube” baby arrived aimed a storm protest and hand warning about science gone amok, human-animal hybrids, and the renaissance of eugenics. Nevertheless, the voices of those opposed to the practice were silenced when Brown was born, she was a happy, healthy baby, and her parents were thrilled, the doctors who helped to create her, Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards, could not have been more pleased. She was the first person ever created outside the body of a woman and was as natural a baby as had ever entered the world. Today in vitro fertilization (IVF) if often the unremarkable choice of tens of thousands of infertile couples whose only complaint is that the procedure is too complicated, doubtful, and costly. What was once so worrying now seems to many people just another part of the contemporary world. ” What was not acceptable in the past is now acceptable. In the past test-tube baby was unacceptable but now it is. As a result, when the people see how genetic engineering can help them and save their lives, they will utterly accept it as a part of their modern life.
Genetic engineering researches should be supported, since our future depends on it. Genetic engineering is our answer to a lot of problems in agriculture to improve the crops we eat, in medical to find cure to disease, and in our social life to make human being more intelligent and more immune to disease. It supports human rights and give us the choice to live better life. In addition, the consequents that might accord upon banding it will not be desirable.
References
1. Baird, Stephen L. “Designer Babies: Eugenics Repackaged Or Consumer Options? (Cover Story).” Technology Teacher 66.7 (2007): 12-16. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 May 2012.
2. Coker, Jeffrey Scott. “Crossing The Species Boundary: Genetic Engineering As Conscious Evolution.” Futurist 46.1 (2012): 23-27. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 May 2012.
3. Conger, Krista . “Parents Should Be Free to Use ‘Designer Baby’ Technologies” Reproductive Technologies (2007): Gale Opposing Viewpoints in context. Rpt. Web. 23 April. 2012.
4. M. R. Ranjit, et al. “Molecular Variants Of G6PD Deficiency Among Certain Tribal Communities Of Orissa, India.” Annals Of Human Biology 35.3 (2008): 355-361. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 May 2012.
5. Pollack, Andrew.” Genetically Altered Salmon Get Closer to the Table”, The New York Times. 25 June 2010. Article Web. 1 May 2012.
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