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During the later part of the twentieth century, scientists realized the power of genes and found at that by altering the genes of an organism, its biological capabilities can be enhanced. This technology, commonly known as genetic engineering, has since then been hailed as one of the greatest breakthroughs in medical history. Like any new technology, genetic engineering comes with its own sets of pros and cons. However, this technology holds the power to shape human destiny and eradicate many genetic based diseases, and can profit mankind immensely, provided the medical community and the government come up with guidelines to address the ethical and safety concerns.
Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating the genome of an organism using biotechnology. The core of gene engineering is the ability to isolate a single DNA sequence from a genome. This technology is known by several names such as genetic modification, gene manipulation, the new genetics, recombinant DNA technology and gene cloning. It operates based on the principle that genetic information, encoded in the DNA of organisms, can be manipulated to achieve various goals.
Though genetic manipulation by human intervention has been there since 12,000 BC, when human beings domesticated animals, the modern day science of genetic engineering, involving transfer of DNA from one organism to another, began in 1973. In this year, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer discovered the technique of DNA cloning by transferring genes between two biological species. In 1976, the National Institutes of Health in the United States developed a guideline for DNA modification research. In the same year, companies started selling genetically modified food and medicines. In 1985, the first transgenic domestic animal was produced and the science developed in further years, with first human gene therapy trials being conducted in 1991. 1996 brought more limelight on the technology when Dolly, the first clone animal, was born.
Genetic engineering is used in wide variety of fields such as health, research, agriculture, gene therapy, environmental remediation and industrial production. It has enabled bringing about improvements in various processes biologically, which were previously done chemically. Host cells obtained from various organisms are used to make useful recombinant proteins, and organisms that are thus genetically modified are known by the term ‘transgenic.’ For example, Soybeans genetically engineered to withstand weed killers or a protein that is poisonous only to insects will make them very useful in agriculture.
In medicine, this technology is used in vaccine production, pharmaceutical production and in developing treatment for diseases such as cancer. In agriculture and animal husbandry it is used to develop crops and livestock with genetically modified abilities. The advantages include increase in yield, elevated immunity to diseases, and enhanced nutrition. Genetically modified food helps in producing seedless vegetables and also increases the food nutritional values, which help in serving the undernourished populations.
Like with any scientific advancement, there have been wide spread concerns raised over the ethical and biological implications of genetic engineering. For example, on the earlier phases of genetic engineering, governments and the medical community feared that this technology may create something dreadful such as bacteria that might acquire resistance power to all antibiotics or an organism that might cause cancer.
Some scientists fear that infectious DNA may spread widely and quickly among people with unpredictable effects, if they escaped from the laboratory. Some others argue that genetic engineering is an attempt to master nature. For example, Sandel argues that, “promise of mastery is flawed. It threatens to banish our appreciation of life as a gift, and to leave us with nothing to affirm or behold outside our own will.”
The opponents to this technology argue that it is like a jumbo jet with bicycle brakes, meaning a fast evolving technology with minimum regulations. They argue that the risks are high and it is influencing our lives without any checkpoint to validate the nature of its long term effects. The supporters of genetic engineering argue that prohibitions are already in place and the immense benefits derived out of this technology, like new therapies and higher yield plants, should be fully exploited for the betterment of mankind.
Proponents of genetic engineering argue that it is safe, if we exercise caution and develop proper regulatory measures, and they explicate that the advantages obtained by this technology are path-breaking and should not be sacrificed due to mindless fears. Kwasikpui (1971) argues that we cannot leave the problem of defective genes to another generation. With so many new born babies being born with genetic defects, he argues that it is the duty of the medical community to use the technology in hand to ensure that the problem is addressed.
Various governments use various regulation framework to control genetic engineering, and the technology is mostly legal in many countries, if done under the prescribed guidelines. In the US, though the government does not have any specific federal legislation pertaining to genetically modified organisms, they are regulated pursuant to health, safety, and environmental legislation governing conventional products. That is the regulations are based on the nature of products rather than the methods used to produce them.
In summary, it can be said that though there are risks associated with the technology of genetic engineering, its tremendous benefits outweigh them. Every new technology that uses new methods to cure diseases had raised ethical issues. However, it is the duty of the scientists to try to save human lives by the best techniques available. Genetic engineering can cure many lives and has the potential to shape medical history in the years to come. So, genetic engineering, with proper controls in place, can help humanity in a great way by eradicating illness and enhancing genetic diversity.
Works Cited
Acosta, L. (2014, March). Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: United States. Retrieved from Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/usa.php
British Medical Journal. (1981). Genetic Engineering For Medicine. British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition), Vol. 282, No. 6259, 169-170.
Delaney, J. J. (2011). Possible people, complaints, and the distinction between genetic planning and genetic. Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 37, No. 7, 410-414.
gmeducation.org. (2012, July). A brief history of genetic modification. Retrieved from gmeducation.org: http://www.gmeducation.org/faqs/p149248-a-brief-history-of-genetic-modification.html
Kwasikpui, D. B. (1971). Genetic Engineering. BioScience, Vol. 21, No. 4, 162.
LeVine, H. (2006). Genetic Engineering: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
Mach, A. (1998). Switzerland Holds Referendum on Genetic Engineering. BMJ: British Medical Journal, Vol. 316, No. 7146, 1696.
Nicholl, D. S. (2008). An Introduction to Genetic Engineering. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Santos, D. M. (2011). Genetic Engineering: Recent Developments in Applications. Oakville, ON: CRC Press.
Society for Science & the Public. (1977). Genetic Engineering: Clashing Views. Science News, Vol. 106, No. 18, 277.
