genetics1 essays

genetics1 essays During the past decade, genetic engineering has been a very controversial issue facing our world that ultimately questions our power as humans to control nature. Genetic engineering has many potential benefits, such as curing all diseases, growing more food, and altering our genes, but these advantages also cause some disadvantages, such as overpopulation, ecological, ethical, and social issues, which all must be assessed before we advance any further in this field. We should definitely move ahead with genetic engineering because its advantages are very important to us, and its problems can be addressed. Probably the most important reason why we need genetic engineering is to cure diseases. Through genetic engineering, we will probably be able to cure many of the diseases plaguing our world today. By altering genetic code, we can cure diseases, such as AIDS, and increase the life expectancy of humans. We can optimize everyone's genes to certain physical and mental characteristics. In 1991, the National Institute of Health patented over 2,000 gene sequences from human brain DNA (Christianity Today, 1994). This indicates that our ability to control every facet of human life is rapidly coming within our reach. Despite many ethical issues opposing genetic engineering (read on), it will definitely help us cure the sick, and that reason alone is enough reason for us to go ahead with this new field of science. One of the main reasons why we should use genetic engineering is to solve our global food shortages. Through genetic engineering, scientists can grow larger tomatoes, more apples per orchard, and crunchier lettuce. With all the recent natural disasters and ecological problems, such as El Nino, wild fires, and global droughts, acres of crops all over the world are being destroyed. Places such as Florida and the mid-west are among the many that are being hit severely. And with scientists predicting increased global warming, and dr...