The Ethics Of Genetic Engineering Essay, Research Paper

Is it Right, or Wrong?

Is genetic engineering right or wrong? That seems to be the newest question of biology. In some ways its right, but in some ways its wrong.

Genetic Engineering can cure a lot of severe diseases. For a short list of examples; cancer and AIDS. They are some the worlds most severe diseases. Cancer alone kills millions and millions of people each year. AIDS on the other hand doesn’t have a full cure; but there is a prescription dose that people with AIDS can get to cure them from cancer for a short time. If we found a full cure to AIDS or cancer, we would probably already be on Mars (people who have been killed from these diseases could of been people who created ways to get to outer planets)! Genetic Engineering is that cure! All scientist have to do, I word it like its an easy thing to do, is find the rest of the letters in our DNA (you will learn about DNA later in this report).

Genetic engineering can also help people who have disabilities. It will make disabilities rare. Also, people who don’t have abilities they want can make sure that their kids do have the ability. For example, if I wasn’t an athletic person, I could make it so my kids were. This is an amazing ability! Genetic engineering can also make people who are big boned, have small, or normal bone sizes.

Genetic engineering has nothing to do with what kind of foods you like, or what your favorite color is. It does make sure you have a certain color of eye, or feature. I have my moms cleft chin. I could make it so my kid has no chance of having a cleft chin. Genetic Engineering is changing the instructions in your DNA.

You see, DNA is made up of a twisting “ladder” on the ladder are different “steps.”

Every step is either a T, a G, a C, or an A. These so called “steps” are your instructions for what your physical features are. These instructions tell your body what you should look like, and what your abilities are/will be.

Altering DNA is what I am afraid of. I know it will cure diseases, but I believe it will also start another civil war, in my opinion. The reason I think this is because the some of the medical companies that are in America will finish decoding the “steps” before the government. They will then patent their discoveries. They the cures will be worth more than they would if the government would of created them. The insurance companies will somehow find out how to tell if their patients have a chance of having a severe sickness and won’t accept as many people as they normally would.

Anyway, genetic engineering will also alter different types of plants, animal organs, and anything else scientists can try it on. Some types of plants and pigs, and cows already have had their organs altered.

Society will not accept some changes in DNA; some parts of society will. Some reasons that some of society won’t accept it include the fact that animals are dying while being tested for these discoveries, the money cost on plants will increase. Riots already have accured because of this discovery. Me, I personally believe that we should use genetic engineering limited up to a point. I believe that it should be used to a curtain point and rules should be made so a civil war doesn’t break out.