This technology has been in existence for some time in science. Genetic engineering is the alteration of the genes of an organism to obtain an offspring whose genetic make-up is more superior to that of the parent organisms. In its crude form, it comprises of selective breeding that resulted in more productive cattle breeds, in the recent past. Genetic engineering utilizes modern techniques to improve an organism’s characteristics. These include deletion or change of the genes within an organism, transfer of genes, and construction of new genes. In crops and animals, genetic engineering is aimed at improving the yields and increasing the revenues.
This is a descriptive study of how genetic engineering used in the world today and the ethical response of society to this form of technology. It also looks into the pros and cons of the various kinds of genetic engineering. For example, genetic engineering in unborn children and livestock while seeking to determine the impacts of the different forms of genetic engineering. Major progress occurred in the 1990’s with the genetic modifications on tomatoes and mammals. The process of genetic engineering aims at higher production and faster growth of plants and animals. Experiments on plants and animals have been successful , and this has prompted attempts to try the same on humans. This has led to the innovation of in vitro fertilization whereby fertilization of an egg by the sperm occurs in a laboratory, outside the womb. The process was first successful in 1973. It is currently a common solution to fertility problems. Scientists have also come up with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) that involves screening of embryos has increased the chances of breeding of genetically modified children.
According to Scully (2003) genetic engineering differs from other food technologies because of the many controversial and ethical issues that the public are concerned about in terms of its development and application. Debates continue to increase between the genetic engineers and the public. Some of the public population views genetic engineering as the future of the world in terms of tackling food shortages and addressing disabilities in unborn children. Detection of disabilities in children, when still in their mother’s womb, has promoted genetic engineers to develop ways to solve these problems before the baby is born. Such approaches have drawn a lot of conflict with some activists arguing that people have no right to play God. Consequently, there is a need to increase public awareness on the benefits and risk associated with genetic engineering in food products and humans.
Literature Review
Risks and benefits associated with genetic engineering have a significant influence on the attitude and perception that the public develops. In addition, ethical concerns related to genetic engineering also influence the application of genetic engineering (Scully, 2003). For the general population to accept the use of genetic engineering in crop, animal and human development, a high level of effective communication and knowledge sharing for the public to accept the use of genetic engineering. According to Scully (2003), factors such as technological dangers and health related issues highly influence how the public view risk associated with genetic engineering.
According to Uppangala (2010), genetic engineering in humans has resulted in many controversies. This has been attributed because the human body has both bad and good genes. Some scientists argue that the main reason for genetic engineering especially in unborn babies is to eradicate the bad genes and replace them with the good ones. Some of the benefits associated with genetic engineering in humans include its ability to eradicate the concept of disease completely. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s or heart conditions result from genetic mutations.
Genetic engineering can be applied to reverse such conditions from being passed to the unborn baby (Uppangala, 2010). Additionally, application of genetic engineering in humans has the potential of increasing the lifespan in humans. The application of genetic engineering may increase the human lifespan to about 100 and 150 years. This is can be achieved by changing the genes responsible for cell senescence and aging (Uppangala, 2010). Furthermore, application of genetic engineering may lead to development of better pharmaceutical products that are suited to the new genetic mutations in humans (Arnold, 2012). However, genetic engineering in humans is associated with some disadvantages. The concept of altering the gens in unborn babies may result in a disruption of the gene diversity. Despite the fact that genetic engineering may eradicate certain disease, its application may result to a wide range of unknown diseases that may even result to the extinction of human beings.
Genetic engineering in humans has generated many controversies. According to Arnold (2009), some parents who would want their babies to be intelligent have welcomed the ability of genetic engineering in increasing the intelligent capacity of in babies. Parents are seeking genetic engineering in eradicating bad genes such as breast cancer. Arnold (2009) notes a case in the UK where a parent gave birth to a girl whose embryo had been selected to be free from any form of breast cancer.
Gilbert (2010) illustrates some of the arguments that have been raised against genetic engineering in humans. A number of deaths have been linked to genetic engineering since because of the unsafe conditions created by genetic engineering. This has resulted from the viral vectors used to bring DNA into the cells are believed to cause tumors and lethal immune responses. In addition, some activist and the public argue that by application of genetic engineering in unborn babies as well as humans means an interfering with the way nature functions. Critics against genetic engineering claim that the use of genetic engineering has resulted to making babies look like commodities (Koepsell, 2007). In cases where the genetic engineering in a baby does not bring the desired result, babies may be viewed as spoilt goods. Consequently, this may result to discrimination in societies.
In crops and livestock, application of genetic engineering leads to better crops and livestock. However, there are different views that this may result to a reduced biological diversity. A lot of research has been done in the recent past concerning the application of genetic engineering in agriculture, medicine and pharmaceutical fields. Montaldo (2006) suggests that artificial insemination, in vitro transfer and embryo transfer are important constituents of genetic engineering. This engineering field has many applications in processing of feedstuffs, and production of vaccines. Consequently, this improves the rearing of cattle and other animals due to less frequent number of disease breakouts.
According to Montaldo (2006), genetic engineering in animals can occur through transgenesis. This involves transfer of part of a gene of one individual to another. This has the effect of increasing productivity and higher resistance to disease. Successful gene transfers have occurred in mice. This involves injection of DNA into zygotes, which has been widely accepted as a genetic engineering method (Montaldo, 2006).
Cloning has also come forth as a technique of genetic engineering. It involves the replication of an individual’s genes to come out with an exact animal. The technique utilizes new methods such as nuclear transfer that was used in production of Dolly- the first clone (Montaldo, 2006). Genetic engineering can also be used for introduction of particular traits into plants. This is enabled by the fact that plants can develop a new plant from an isolated cell or tissue. This principle is utilized in grafting as a method of obtaining improved varieties of fruit trees. Tissue culture is utilized in production of fastgrowing and disease resistant banana trees. Bacteria, such as Agrobacterium tumafaciens, are used to induce transformations and hence genetic improvements in dicotyledonous plants.
The use of genetic engineering in plants and animals is a new field and is yet to grow. The current efficiency levels, safety concerns and societal impacts are areas that need attention. Montaldo (2006) reviews the problem of transgenic plants having low productivity levels that do not meet the expectations. Overoptimistic expectations by the users of genetically engineered crops limit chances of acceptance of the product by the society.
Methodology
This involved use of focused interviews among various people’s questionnaires was issued which addressed a number of issues on genetic engineering. The use of focus interview was aimed at exploring the issues in depth. The various views among the people were collected. Some of the questions addressed included:
Should genetic engineering in humans be supported
Which food plant products do they prefer, genetically modified foods or the natural grown ones
What their perception on the future of genetic engineering in the future
What impacts might result from the use of genetic engineering
Results
Most of the respondents indicated a lack of acceptance towards genetic engineering in humans, crop and animal production. Most of the respondents were concerned with safety concerns regarding the application of genetic engineering. Some were weary of the unexpected diseases that may result from the consumption of products that have been genetically modified. Some of them raised concerns if the application of genetic engineering was a safe procedure or would it result to deformed babies.
In the case of genetic engineering in humans, some were concerned that it was not ethical to define ourselves as God in redefining human creation. For others, there was a lack of understanding of genetic engineering and further explanations had to be conducted.
Discussion
Some of the reasons that resulted to the lack of acceptance of genetic engineering in were attributed to ethical reasons. Religious views played a critical role in perceptions formed by the respondents. Additionally, those that were for genetically modified products supported it by giving reasons such as it would provide sufficient food resources. Those that supported genetic engineering of human babies suggested that it should only be used to cure birth defects.
References
Arnold, P. (2009). The Downside of Human Genetic Engineering. Retrieved from
< http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/22211.aspx >
Gilbert, S. (2010). Developmental Biology. MA: Sinauer Associates.
Koepsell, D. (2007). The Ethics of Genetic Engineering. Retrieved from
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/uploads/attachments/genetic-engineering-ethics_2.pdf
Montaldo, H. (2006). Genetic Engineering Applications in Animal Breeding. Journal of
Biotechnology. 9 (2), 157-170.
Scully, J. (2003). Genetic Engineering and Perceived Levels of Risk. British Food Journal. 105
(1), 59-77.
Uppangala, N. (2010). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering in Humans.
Retrieved from http://www.biotecharticles.com/Genetics-Article/The-Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Genetic-Engineering-in-Humans-94.html
