Angelique P. Hibaya II- Amethyst

The genes or the hereditary units control

each and every process taking place inside our body. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecular unit, which contains the genetic information. Any change introduced in the genes or the DNA will alter its function. As the name suggests, genetic engineering (GE) is an advanced technology that brings about modification in the genes by use of recombinant DNA tools. It’s also known as genetic modification wherein foreign DNA or in vitro synthesized genes are incorporated into the target DNA of into the organism to get the desired results. The organism or the product of genetic engineering is known as Genetically Modified Organism (GMO).

The techniques are highly sophisticated and are performed only under controlled conditions. Genetic engineering has extensive use in cloning, production of vaccines, hormones and drugs. It’s also been explored in the agricultural sector for producing genetically modified crops and vegetables.

Benefits and Risks

Proponents of genetic engineering claim that it has numerous benefits, including the production of food-bearing plants that are resistant to extreme weather and adverse climates, insect infestations, disease, molds, and fungi. In addition, it may be possible to reduce the amount of plowing necessary in the farming process, thereby saving energy and minimizing soil erosion. A major motivation is the hope of producing abundant food at low cost to reduce world hunger, both directly (by feeding GMOs to human beings) and indirectly (by feeding GMOs to livestock and fish, which can in turn be fed to humans).

Genetic engineering carries potential dangers, such as the creation of new allergens and toxins, the evolution of new weeds and other

noxious vegetation, harm to wildlife, and the creation of environments favorable to the proliferation of molds and fungi (ironically, in light of the purported advantage in that respect). Some scientists have expressed concern that new disease organisms and

increased antibiotic resistance could result from the use of GMOs in the food chain.

The darkest aspect of genetic engineering is the possibility that a government or institution might undertake to enhance human beings by means of genetic engineering. Some see the possibility of using this technology to create biological

weapons.

Ethical Issues

It is easy to realize now how such discoveries of genetic engineering could give rise to a heated

debate pitting environmentalists, clergymen, philosophers, scientists and ordinary people against each other. The major arguments are the following:

1. God is the only creator of the universe, and human-beings should not challenge

his will by modifying some of the traits of what He has created in a specific way for reasons known only to Almighty.

2. There is a delicate natural balance in the environment, and human intervention through genetic engineering could unwittingly upset this balance with unknown and possibly dangerous consequences for mankind.3. For some, not only nature is beautiful,

and products of nature are therefore much more preferable to products of genetic engineering, but the former products could cause unpredictable diseases.

4.Genetic engineering could be used as a tool in the hands of some ethnic and racial minorities against other peoples. Believing in the superior genes of a

certain racial group, scientific knowledge could be used either to modify genetic traits of other groups or even claiming their inferiority could proceed to eliminate them.

Angelique P. Hibaya II- AmethystSuch dangerous ideas were quite popular under the Nazi regime in Germany.

Sources:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-genetic-engineering.htmlhttp://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/genetic-engineeringhttp://library.thinkquest.org/C005271F/biology.html