The Pursuit of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Genetics Science Technolog

The Pursuit of Genetic Engineering Imagine a world where diabetes is effectively treated, where cancer has a cure, and where food is altered for higher quality and increased production. This â€Å"fantasy† world is on the brink of becoming a reality due to advances in genetic engineering and cloning. These medical innovations have the potential to revolutionize our lives in numerous ways. However, the fear of controversy and the fear of the â€Å"new† could hinder and possibly halt any progress that we are capable of making. There are concerns that society should carefully consider. It is important, though, to thoroughly research and examine a topic in order to understand why there should be no fear caused by cloning and genetic engineering one must know the factual processes behind them before a strong argument on behalf of their advancement can be formed. Cloning and genetic engineering are very controversial subjects; however, when used appropriately as a means to solve a problem or ease pain and suffering in a person, rather than to â€Å"play God† and take life into one’s own hand can be very beneficial. The pursuit of cloning and genetic engineering should be continued as they provide a means for improving health care and making major advancements in food production and waste disposal because when ethics come into play the facts show that the two are not actually processes in which ethical issues should arise. The terms â€Å"genetic engineering† and â€Å"cloning† are often used interchangeably but there are conceivable differences between the two that should be pointed out. Genetic engineering is the alteration of one’s DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, (Walker 1). It is defined as, â€Å"the use of manipulations of an individual’s genetic ma... ...r, Ronald. Beyond Cloning : Religion and the Remaking of Humanity. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2001. â€Å"First Cloned Human Embryos Created.† 27 Nov. 2001. On-line. Internet. 10 Feb 2003. www.newscientist.com/hottopics/cloning/ â€Å"Human Cloning: The Process.† 8 April 1998. On-line. Internet. 10 Feb 2003. http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~jones/tmp352/projects98/group1/how.html. Ridley, Mark. The Cooperative Gene. New York: The Free Press, 2001. â€Å"Should Cloning Be Banned?† 25 Nov. 2001. On-line. Internet. 16 Feb 2003. http://reason.com/biclone.shtml Thompson, Larry. Correcting the Code: Inventing the Genetic Cure for the Human Body. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Wilmut, Ian, Keith Campbell, and Colin Tudge. The Second Creation: Dolly and the Age of Biological Control. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000. The Pursuit of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Genetics Science Technolog The Pursuit of Genetic Engineering Imagine a world where diabetes is effectively treated, where cancer has a cure, and where food is altered for higher quality and increased production. This â€Å"fantasy† world is on the brink of becoming a reality due to advances in genetic engineering and cloning. These medical innovations have the potential to revolutionize our lives in numerous ways. However, the fear of controversy and the fear of the â€Å"new† could hinder and possibly halt any progress that we are capable of making. There are concerns that society should carefully consider. It is important, though, to thoroughly research and examine a topic in order to understand why there should be no fear caused by cloning and genetic engineering one must know the factual processes behind them before a strong argument on behalf of their advancement can be formed. Cloning and genetic engineering are very controversial subjects; however, when used appropriately as a means to solve a problem or ease pain and suffering in a person, rather than to â€Å"play God† and take life into one’s own hand can be very beneficial. The pursuit of cloning and genetic engineering should be continued as they provide a means for improving health care and making major advancements in food production and waste disposal because when ethics come into play the facts show that the two are not actually processes in which ethical issues should arise. The terms â€Å"genetic engineering† and â€Å"cloning† are often used interchangeably but there are conceivable differences between the two that should be pointed out. Genetic engineering is the alteration of one’s DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, (Walker 1). It is defined as, â€Å"the use of manipulations of an individual’s genetic ma... ...r, Ronald. Beyond Cloning : Religion and the Remaking of Humanity. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2001. â€Å"First Cloned Human Embryos Created.† 27 Nov. 2001. On-line. Internet. 10 Feb 2003. www.newscientist.com/hottopics/cloning/ â€Å"Human Cloning: The Process.† 8 April 1998. On-line. Internet. 10 Feb 2003. http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~jones/tmp352/projects98/group1/how.html. Ridley, Mark. The Cooperative Gene. New York: The Free Press, 2001. â€Å"Should Cloning Be Banned?† 25 Nov. 2001. On-line. Internet. 16 Feb 2003. http://reason.com/biclone.shtml Thompson, Larry. Correcting the Code: Inventing the Genetic Cure for the Human Body. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Wilmut, Ian, Keith Campbell, and Colin Tudge. The Second Creation: Dolly and the Age of Biological Control. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000.