Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering
In very simple words genetic engineering is the science of changing how a plant or living creature
develops by changing information in its genes. And genes are the units in the cells of a living thing which
control its psychical characteristics. They carry information and are passed on from generation to
generation The pace of progress in genetics appears to be speeding up all the time. In 1953 J.Watson
and F.Crick discovered that pieces of DNA can be broken and linked in different combinations, and a
new form of life can be created by taking genes from one species and transferring them to another.
Since then thousands of both successful and unsuccessful experiments have been carried out on
bacteria, plants, animals and human beings. At the same time, the rapid development of gene research
has posed many ethical questions and moral doubts.
Most proponents argue that the benefits genetic engineering brings far outweigh the risks. They believe
that it can be the solution to the problem of famine since much of the potential application of genetic
engineering lies in industry and agriculture. We can already buy genetically engineered food in shops,
for example "improved fruit, vegetables or poultry. Genetic engineering not only helps plants grow
easier and faster, and thereby increase crops, but it has also enormous possibilities in the medical field.
Gene therapy has shown benefits. in clinical trials for diseases such as haemophilia, cancer, diabetes or
even caries. Moreover, it can be applied to produce in large quantities such scarce and expensive
products as hormones, vaccines or enzymes. In the near future it will also be possible to detect some
genetic disorders and treat them by replacing or altering the defective genes.
However, the critics of genetic engineering warn against the dangers of attempting to interfere with
nature and claim that geneticists should not usurp God-like powers to create new forms of life. They
raise concerns over the undesirable consequences of gene mani- pulation which may get out of human
control. They worry that the new life forms may be similar to Dr. Frankenstein's monster-harmful and
uncontrollable.
Indeed, many experiments have turned out to be a failure, for example in the United States human
genes were given to pigs to make them bigger and less fatty but instead, after some time, the pigs
became seriously ill and began to lose their eyesight. Other animals on which experiments were
conducted had problems with breathing, blood circulation or abnormal weight.
One of the greatest achievements of genetic engineering was the cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1997.
Dolly was the first spectacular success of geneticists after several years of disappointment. Although
genetic engineers claim that the mass cloning of man is a distant prospect, it is technically possible. In
November 2001 scientists at a technology company in the United States created the first human
embryos through cloning. We can therefore expect that at a reasonable price some people may wish to
create replicas of Hitler or Stalin soon. Prompted by the desire for an immortality substitute, they may
also wish to make their descendants more beautiful or intelligent or athletic. In the present state of
science this is no longer a joke.
Still, they should remember that this artificially steered reproduction entails great responsibility. Apart
from the fact that experiments on human embryos are unethical, there is also a big risk that something
may go wrong, resulting in deformity or serious medical disorders, and bio-genetic errors are
irreversible. To sum up, although genetic engineering is praised for its potential to improve human life,
the question remains whether it will be used for good or for evil.
In very simple words genetic engineering is the science of changing how a plant or living creature
develops by changing information in its genes. And genes are the units in the cells (селс) of a living
thing which control its psychical characteristics.
I believe that genetic engineering can be the solution to the problem of famine since much of the
potential application of genetic engineering lies in industry and agriculture. We can already buy
genetically engineered food in shops, for example "improved fruit, vegetables or poultry. Genetic
engineering not only helps plants grow easier and faster, and thereby (зеабай) increase crops, but it
has also enormous possibilities in the medical field. Gene therapy has shown benefits in clinical trials
for diseases such as haemophilia, cancer, diabetes or even caries. Moreover, it can be applied to
produce in large quantities such scarce and expensive products as hormones, vaccines or enzymes. In
the near future it will also be possible to detect some genetic disorders and treat them by replacing or
altering the defective genes.
Yes, I know about experiments on animals. Many experiments have turned out to be a failure
(фелюе), for example in the United States human genes were given to pigs to make them bigger and
less fatty but instead, after some time, the pigs became seriously ill and began to lose their eyesight.
Maybe science will invent another way to do experiments in the future

Genetic Engineering

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Genetic engineering

Maybe science will invent another way to do experiments in the future

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