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Genetic Engineering Animals Pros And Cons

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There are numerous applications of genetically engineered animals which includes the understanding of gene function, modeling of human disease to either understand disease mechanisms or to aid drug development and xenotransplantation. Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, use a variety of tools and techniques from biotechnology and bioengineering to modify an organism's genetic makeup. The genetic modification of the animals has increased significantly in recent years. The advancing technologies bring social, intrinsic and extrinsic ethical concerns with them which relate to the welfare of the animals in agriculture.
In the early stages of genetic engineering, the primary technology used was transgenesis, literally meaning the transfer …show more content…

The production of GMOs has negative impacts on the natural ecosystem which are not apparent now but will be apparent in the future. For example, genetic changes in a particular plant or animal might render it harmful to another organism higher up in the food chain and ultimately this effect may build up to destroy the entire food chain in which that plant plays a role.
In philosophy, the main argument against genetic engineering is that it violates the inherent "dignity" of humans to alter animals' DNA under any circumstance (Rifkin). The "natural" state of humans, unaltered by mortal intervention, is inherently dignified. According to this train of thought, since genetic engineering fundamentally alters human at the most basic level, it is not dignified, and therefore …show more content…

Some authors have made the case that genetic engineering requires us to expand our existing notions of animal ethics to include concepts of the intrinsic value of animals (35), or of animal "integrity" or "dignity" (33). Veerhoog argues that "we misuse the word telos when we say that human beings can 'change' the telos of an animal or create a new telos" - that is to say animals have intrinsic value, which is separate from their value to humans. It is often on these grounds that people will argue that genetic engineering of animals is morally wrong. For example, in a case study of public opinion on issues related to genetic engineering, participants raised concerns about the "nature" of animals and how this is affected (negatively) by genetic engineering

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Mankind has always been motivated by the desire for progress, accomplishment, and empowerment. The exceptionally steep rate of technological development during the twentieth century starting with the invention of the zeppelin in 1900 and advancing to the creation of more sophisticated technologies such as the world wide web is evidence of this truth. In the midst of all of these impressive innovations, biological scientists developed recombinant DNA techniques that gave them the power to alter genetic material. As biotechnology has become more refined and the application of genetic engineering in both agricultural and medical fields has become more common, the practice has fallen victim to harsh scientific and ethical scrutiny. The debate is

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559 Words | 3 Pages

Genetically modified foods can also establish a feasible way to feed the needy of this world. Genetic engineering of plants have the potential to provide edible plant vaccine for a wide variety of infectious diseases. Also there are environmental benefits that come from genetic modification such as richer soil and the ability for plants to tolerate salt

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Perry argues that while theologians claim that genetic engineering is condemned as “violating the dignity of human life”, parents who desire healthy children is not a violation of human dignity, but rather acceptable and even praiseworthy (Can we Play God?,

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Human genetic engineering, what was once considered a futuristic possibility and in the realm of science fiction (Evans 2010) is now becoming a mechanism to alter the genetic characteristics of an individual that will now be passed through the germ line, from one generation to the next. We are essentially changing the genetic makeup of the human species (Evans 2010). With IVF and HGE, is it morally correct to make radical genetic selections and changes that inevitably will influence the lives of future generations? Veatch, Haddad and English (2010) argue that this is the most fundamental issue that faces reproductive technologies, whether or not interfering with ‘the genetic and birth process is ‘playing God’’ in an unacceptable manner. They further state that the rapid developing reproductive technologies have the potential to change the nature of the human species and the process of reproduction (Veatch, Haddad and English, 2010), which can be considered to extend beyond what ‘humans should be permitted to do’.

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Equine Reproduction and Genetic Engineering Application: Is It Safe and Ethical? The use and procedures developed by modern technology for the purpose of equine reproduction better known as "genetic engineering" has caused considerable concern regarding how safe are the results and is it ethical to alter nature? With the proliferation of new applications and scientific procedures in equine reproduction a lot of the older methods have been abandoned for new or more convenient and less costly procedures. Some of these new procedures include artificial insemination or A1, selective use of the equine genes, and the use of chemicals to effectively change what nature has perfected through a selective process known as evolution.

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In Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood addresses the concerns about the potential risks of implementing genetically modified organisms. She warns that dependence on such organisms could lead to unforeseen consequences on society. With the improvement of technology and rapid growth of genetic advancements, scientists are able to create genetically enhanced animals. Scientists started off with relatively small-scale genetic modifications, however, when corporations saw the success and potential revenue generating ability, the genographers were provided with funding and the experiments became a business.

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Animal biotechnology is based on the science of genetic engineering. Transgenics (also known as recombinant DNA) is the transferal of a specific gene from one organism to another. A transgenic animal is created once the second organism incorporates the new DNA into its own genetic material. The donor DNA must be cut and pasted, or recombined, into a compatible fragment of DNA from a vector.

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1525 Words | 7 Pages

Genetic engineering in humans is a recent development that gives parents the option to design their idea of a perfect baby. The idea of “perfect babies” will lead to designer babies. The term designer babies refers to using biotechnology to choose what type of baby you want. The traits that can be changed in these babies are gender, appearance, intelligence, disease, and personality. Changing these traits can cause many problems and can affect society, the family, and the baby.

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"Biotechnology Must Not Be Used to Alter Human Nature." Designer Babies, edited by Clayton Farris Naff, Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. "Human Cloning Possible but Remains 'Abhorrent' in Minds of Public."

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GMOs, Humans, Wildlife and the Environment Mankind has been, since their beginning, insatiably fascinated by the world in which they live. This innate fascination has led to the discovery of many useful insights into the mechanism and applications of nature, although not without risk. Genetically modified organisms represent one such useful insight and application of nature. In this essay we will examine several widely acknowledged risks genetically modified organisms (GMOs) pose to the individual, wildlife and the environment. And why this should suggest the exploration and pursuit of less intrusive solutions to some of the problems GMOs where designed to address.

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In addition, when plants and animals become genetically modified there can be problems in their immune system and other organs. Furthermore, this can potentially harm the environment, especially because scientist do not know what will happen to the world’s health in the long run. An example of genetic engineering gone wrong is Frankenstein, who was created a creature by assembling different body parts from different individuals together. “ The dissecting room and the slaughter-house furnished many of my materials; and often did my human nature turn with loathing from my occupation, whilst, still urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased, I brought my work near to a conclusion” (Frankenstein). In the end, the invention of the creator was a disaster because the monster killed many of Frankenstein’s loved ones to get revenge.

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But the genetic engineering proposed by McMahan is only used to avoid the moral duty of not killing animals. Therefore, by Thompson’s principle, we may be indifferent to the practice in terms of morality. With respect to feasibility, we should notice that it is a quite radical form of genetic modification, which requires major biotechnological breakthrough and may have unpredictable consequences. By the precautionary principle, it is

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931 Words | 4 Pages

People in industrialized countries realize that there are more benefits than harm from science and understand that enhanced quality of life depends on scientific knowledge. Genetic engineering is an example of the main topic being debated through bioethics, genetic engineering is the modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. The way we use technology is mostly a benefit, we are able to create healing techniques and medicines for our benefit, we also have improved crops to help better the environment and nurture us. One of the dangers is manipulating the genetic material and that is where people perceive it as unethical because some people believe that we should not interfere with nature. Humans have long been removed from natural selection, which has had us to gradually take control of our environment and allowed weaker genes to flourish because of medical advances.

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1669 Words | 7 Pages

For years, the health and safety of genetically modified foods have been debated and researched by scientists, but the question still stands: should genetically modified foods be allowed for consumption? The process of genetic modification involves inserting a gene from bacteria or a virus into an organism where it would normally not be found. The purpose is to alter the genetic code in plants and animals to make them more productive or resistant to pests or farming techniques. Genetically modified organisms, more commonly known as GMOs, have been a controversial topic of debate for a number of reasons. The ethics behind genetically modified foods come into question due to an abundance of short and long-term effects from the process, many of which are still unknown today.

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779 Words | 4 Pages

This essay will look more on the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering has some advantages. Firstly it allows for faster growth rate .Genetic engineering allows of plants or animals to be modified so their maturity can occur at a quicker pace outside of the normal growth conditions that are favourable without genetic changes as well .Secondly, it may also provide a cure for disease to improve health (apecsecadmin, 2014). Genetic engineering can be used to eradicate a number of incurable and deadly disease which could be done by identifying the genes that cause these disease, and manipulate them to prevent people from contracting these potentially deadly diseases.

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