Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering

PROS AND CONS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
‘Genetic engineering’ is the process to alter the structure and nature of genes
in human beings, animals or foods using techniques like molecular cloning
and transformation. In other words, it is the process of adding or modifying
DNA in an organism to bring about a great deal of transformation.
Various Pros of Genetic Engineering

1. Tackling and Defeating Diseases
Some of the most deadly and difficult diseases in the world that have so
resisted destruction could be wiped out by the use of genetic engineering.
There are a number of genetic mutations that humans can suffer from that will
probably never be ended unless we actively intervene and genetically engineer
the next generation to withstand these problems.
For instance, Cystic Fibrosis,
2. Getting Rid of All Illnesses in Young and Unborn Children

There are many problems that we can detect even before children are born. In
the womb, doctors can tell whether your baby is going to suffer from sickle
cell anemia, for instance, or from Down’s syndrome.
In fact, the date by which you can have an abortion has been pushed back
relatively late just so that people can decide whether or not to abort a baby if it
has one or more of these sorts of issues.
However, with genetic engineering, we would no longer have to worry. One
of the main benefits of genetic engineering is that it can help cure diseases and
illnesses in unborn children.
3. Potential to Live Longer
Humans are already living longer than ever. In fact, our lifespan has shot up
by a number of years in a very short amount of time. Because of the advances
in modern medical science, genetic engineering could make our life on Earth
even longer. There are specific, common illnesses and diseases that can take
hold later in life and can end up killing us earlier than necessary.
With genetic engineering, on the other hand, we could reverse some of the
most basic reasons for the body’s natural decline on a cellular level,
drastically improving both the span of our lives and the quality of life later on.
It could also help humans adapt to growing problems, for instance, global
warming in the world.
4. Produce New Foods
Genetic engineering is not just good for people. With genetic engineering, we
can design foods that are better able to withstand harsh temperatures – such as
very hot or very cold, for instance – and that are packed full of all the right
nutrients that humans and animals need to survive.
We may also be able to make our foods have a better medicinal value, thus
introducing edible vaccines readily available to people all over the world.
5. Organisms Can be ‘Tailor-Made’
Genetic engineering can make alterations in the organisms to show desirable
characteristics. Genes can also be manipulated in trees that they absorb more
CO2 and reduce the threat of global warming.
The genetic disorders may also be removed by replacing the faulty gene with a
functional gene. Disease-carrying insects, such as mosquitoes, may be
changed to sterile insects to curb the spread of diseases, specifically malaria
and dengue fever.
6. Faster Growth in Animals and Plants
The growth rate in animals and plants can be genetically modified to mature
promptly. The crops can be engineered to survive in unfavorable conditions
such as high heat or low light or increase crop yield. This gives farmers the
scope to expand farming beyond the traditional locations and use the empty
lands for other purposes.
Animals can also be genetically modified in case of improving production.

Dairy cows can be engineered to give more milk and to grow wool faster in
sheep. The animals bred for their meat can be engineered to grow bigger and
faster.
7. Pest and Disease Resistance
The modification through genetic engineering is mainly executed in plants.
The genes are being altered in animals or plants to make them perdurable and
resistant to pests and diseases.
Plants being cultivated can have built-in pest repellents that help reduce the
requirement for harmful chemicals and other pesticides that cause damage to
the water supply.
Various Cons of Genetic Engineering

1. Is it ‘Right’?
When genetic engineering first became possible, peoples’ first reactions were
to immediately question whether it was ‘right.’ Many religions believe that
genetic engineering, after all, is tantamount to playing with God, and
expressly forbid that it is performed on their children, for instance.
Besides the religious arguments, however, there are a number of ethical
objections. These diseases, after all, exist for a reason and have persisted
throughout history for a reason. While we should be fighting against them, we
do need at least a few illnesses; otherwise, we would soon
become overpopulated.
Living longer is already causing social problems in the world today, so to
artificially extend everybody’s time on Earth might cause even more problems
further down the line, problems that we cannot possibly predict.
2. May Lead to Genetic Defects
Another real problem with genetic engineering is the question about the safety
of making changes at the cellular level. Scientists do not yet know absolutely
everything about the way that the human body works (although they do, of
course, have a very good idea). How can they possibly understand the
ramifications of slight changes made at the smallest level?
What if we manage to wipe out one disease only to introduce something brand
new and even more dangerous? The success rate of genetic experiments leaves
a lot to be desired, after all. The human body is so complicated that scientists
have to be able to predict what sort of effects their actions will have, and they
simply cannot account for everything that could go wrong.
3. Limits Genetic Diversity
We need diversity in all species of animals. By genetically engineering our
species, however, we will be having a detrimental effect on our genetic
diversity in the same way as something like cloning would.
Gene therapy is available only to the very rich and elite, which means that
traits that tend to make people earn less money would eventually die out.
4. Can it Go Too Far?

One pressing question and issue with genetic engineering that has been around
for years and years is whether it could end up going too far. There are many
thousands of genetic scientists with honest intentions who want to bring an
end to the worst diseases and illnesses of the current century and who are
trying to do so by using genetic engineering.
5. Reduced Nutritional Value
It may grow concerns regarding the nutritional value of the products as some
products can grow big quickly at the cost of decreasing their nutritional value.
6. Risky Pathogens
Viruses and bacteria adapt to the environment. When these cannot get through
the natural repellent of the genetically altered plant, these can grow stronger
and more resistant, negatively affecting non-genetically engineered
plants/animals.
7. Negative Side Effects
Genetic engineering helps to solve an issue by transferring genes to the
organism that will help it to combat the problem. Sometimes, this can
cause side effects. For instance, a plant can be modified that it needs less
water, but that would make it intolerant to direct sunlight.
Nature is an extremely complex, interrelated chain. It is believed by some
scientists that the introduction of genetically-modified genes may have an
irreversible effect with consequences not yet known.
8. Unfavorable Diversity
Genetically engineered species applied to the wild can have a negative impact
on the domestic species. As modified species tend to be stronger, this
introduction of modified species may drive the rapid disappearance of
unmodified species. This would result in decreased diversity.
However, what is to stop just a handful of people taking the research too far?
What if we start demanding ‘designer babies,’ children whose hair color, eye
color, height and intelligence we can dictate?
What if we end up engineering the sex of the baby, for instance, in China,
where it is much more preferable to have a boy? Is that right? Is it fair? The
problems with genetic engineering going too far are an ever-present worry in a
world in which genetic engineering is progressing further and further every
day.

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Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering

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What are some potential benefits of genetic engineering?

What are some potential risks and ethical concerns regarding genetic engineering?

PROS AND CONS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

Various Pros of Genetic Engineering

2. Getting Rid of All Illnesses in Young and Unborn Children

Animals can also be genetically modified in case of improving production.

Various Cons of Genetic Engineering

4. Can it Go Too Far?

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