Today is a world of technological advancement, and each new technology brings some ethical concerns. It also has positive and negative implications for society. Genetic engineering is not excluded from the list of new technologies. However, as each new technology embodies certain ethical aspects, so does genetic modification. The field is one of its kind and proposes various solutions to prevailing world issues. Its positive consequences are way beyond measure. For example, genetic modification can offer a solid answer to world hunger. It can resolve the issue of food insecurity. It can result in disease-resistant animals and plants. In short, the benefits are significant. But each thing comes with a cost. In the case of genetic modification, the cost is ethical.
Genetic engineering raises some ethical and moral questions. It also has positive and negative impacts. Although the positive implications outweigh the negative ones, it is not easy to discard the negative implications altogether. This article intends to address the ethics and impact of genetic modification. It is a relatively new field. The article also addresses some ethical aspects of genetics for students. Before delving deeper into them, let us discuss genetics and its significance in the contemporary world.
What is Genetic Engineering?
Genetic engineering refers to the alteration of the genome. It involves the modification of animal and plant genes. The underlying motive is to make them more adaptable to their environment or to make them immune to genetic defects. It is also known as genetic modification. In this process, a particular gene of an animal may be introduced to another animal to give it certain characteristic traits. It is important to note that this is the intentional alteration of DNA. Let us consider an example. Fire beetles have a specific gene in their DNA enabling them to glow in the darkness. Now, this particular gene might be added to the DNA of a plant to make it glow at night. Similarly, humans can undergo genetic modifications to make them physically stronger, mentally sharper and disease-resistant.
These things are pretty captivating to talk about. But genetic engineering also poses some ethical, social and cultural dilemmas. It is essential to take note of those dilemmas and resolve them to make genetic modification more acceptable.
What are the Ethics of Genetic Engineering?
Some genetic engineering practices that pose ethical concerns are discussed below.
1. Germline Gene Therapy
Gene therapy focuses on the treatment of bone marrow and blood cells. These are also called somatic cells. Although this genetic modification cannot pass to a person's offspring, it can cause unidentified genetic changes in the DNA of the unborn offspring. The practice of germline gene therapy poses an ethical dilemma, such that the treatment requires the consent of the unborn child. The method is currently illegal in the UK.
2. The presence of Human Tissue in Plants is Unacceptable
Genetic engineering involves the treatment of plants with the help of human cells. The presence of human cells or DNA in plants is unacceptable to vegans. The procedure might help treat plant diseases and increase their life, but it raises ethical concerns for vegetarians and people of specific religions. According to vegetarians, it is unethical to alter plant DNA with the help of human or animal genes.
3. Ethical Concerns Regarding Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs, have become a hot topic these days. They are several ethical concerns related to them. Many people consider GMOs unnatural. According to these people, GMOs in our food chain can be dangerous for our health as they are not natural. It is against social ethics to discard traditional farming altogether. It will imperil the livelihood of farmers in developing and underdeveloped countries.
What are the Implications of Genetic Engineering?
Technological advancements such as genetic engineering have both positive and negative implications. Discussing these implications can be of tremendous help to students.
What are the Positive Implications?
1. The solution to World Hunger
GMOs have considerable potential for resolving food insecurity issues. Almost 850 million people are food insecure in different parts of the world. Genetically modified crops are more nutritious and yield more outstanding production. These crops can also solve the issue of malnutrition and vitamin deficiency.
2. Treatment of Humans
Genetic engineering makes organ transplants easier. Cloning is a process by which the missing organ of a person can be generated with the help of his tissue. This practice has a vast potential to limit the human trafficking of organs.
3. Transgenic Animals
Transgenic animals have undergone genome alteration by deliberately inserting a foreign gene. These animals are more environment-friendly, more nutritious and less prone to diseases.
4. Mass Production of Medicines
Necessary medicines such as insulin, Epinephrine and Glucagon are being produced in bulk quantities. These drugs are of paramount importance when it comes to saving human lives. Greater availability of these medicines has also resulted in decreased prices.
What are the Negative Implications?
1. Genetic Discrimination
While conducting genetic engineering, certain genetic traits are more desirable. The people possessing those traits are ultimately more valued. This can lead to genetic discrimination. A person with a particular skin tone or having certain genetic features can feel discriminated against. It will ultimately lead to class prejudice.
2. Corporate Monopoly
Genetic modification practices are considerably expensive and technologically advanced. Developing countries do not possess these technologies and will have to rely on rich countries for genetically modified crops. In this way, big corporations and multinationals can create market hegemony. They would be able to manipulate the supply chain at the expense of developing countries.
What is the Significance of Genetic Engineering for Students?
Genetic engineering is a new field, and students are curious about it. This field has excellent prospects and offers multiple benefits for students. However, students must be aware of the ethics and implications of genetic modification. In this context, this article will help them significantly understand this field. Students applying for genetic modification must select a valuable university to get admission. They may need to write an admission essay when applying for the genetic engineering program. For any query regarding admissions, you must check with the admission committee.
Conclusion
Genetic engineering is a highly advanced field dealing with genetic alterations. However, there are also some ethical concerns attached to this field. Moreover, it also has positive and negative implications. This article highlights the ethics and impact of genetic modification. For example, germline gene therapy and cloning pose ethical issues. They are discussed in considerable detail in this article.
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