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The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Engineering

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Genetic engineering is a fairly new technology, yet it was developed off of the old practice of artificial selection. It is a step forward in the way humans modify other species, and a cause for both excitement and a small amount of concern. Artificial selection is the process of breeding two adults that both posses desired traits together, so that the offspring will have more of the desired traits than the previous generation. Genetic engineering is the process of removing a gene from one species and implanting it into the DNA of another, so that there is precise control over which traits a species will possess. Both technologies are used to alter a species to better serve humans’ needs. However, they differ in that artificial selection can only cross species that are sexually compatible, and only using traits already present within the species. Comparatively, genetic engineering allows any gene to be implanted into a species, regardless of where it comes from …show more content…

Artificial selection has been around for centuries and has greatly increased the diversity within plant and animal species around the world. It is thought that almost all the food we eat has been selectively bred to create a superior strain of the plant or animal, making it larger and tastier. One of the downsides to artificial selection includes the increased vulnerability of crops to disease and environmental changes. Genetic engineering can help overcome some of the challenges with plant species, as it enables the creation of plants that are far more resistant to bacteria and pests. However, genetic engineering has been around for a fraction of the time, and is still fairly untested. This also means that genetic engineering has had a much lesser effect on biodiversity. Yet, the potential for growth and innovation in genetic engineering means that crops can be altered much faster, and in more significant ways, promising an interesting

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Artificial selection and crossbreeding, both forms of genetic modification, have been used for centuries by scientists and farmers to obtain the desired traits of crops or animals (Kracht para 1). Moreover, no known risks have appeared from the consumption of GMOs or the genetic modification of crops.

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In the future, it may be equipped with genetically modified plants with mechanisms designed to prevent gene flow. This is important for the co-existence of GM and traditional crops, especially that medical and industrial use of genetically modified plants. Environmental indirect effects of genetically modified crops include changes in agricultural or environmental practices associated with new varieties. Whether the net effect of these changes had to be positive or negative on the environment is still controversial, calling for a more comparative analysis of new technologies and agricultural practices.

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Some scientists advocate for the use of genetic alterations with stiff oppositions because if this procedure is done properly there could be many benefits. They see it as a resurrection of society. All the harmful effects humans have had on animals, plants and insects can be reversed because of this prestigious opportunity. In the hopes of all going well, genetically modified plants could possibly be the cure for world hunger. An example of modifying crops would be if a fruit was cross bred with a distinctively diverse organism such as a fish.

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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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In nature, there is an abundance of naturally occurring clones. Many single celled organisms and invertebrates like bacteria and hydras reproduce asexually. Asexual reproduction occurs when there is only one parent. The sole parent organism has the capability to produce an exact genetic replica of themselves (UCMP 2016). Comparatively most mammals do not have the capability to reproduce and clone offspring.

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Genetic modification has risen to the public eye as a highly controversial issue over the past few decades. Starting with the FLAVR SAVR tomato in 1994, we can now genetically alter any organism, including ourselves. We can, and have, manipulated crops to resist insects or herbicides and animals to glow in the dark, grow faster, change their color, or even make spider silk. However, out of the limitless applications of genetic modification, three in particular stand out as relevant to our everyday lives: genetically modified foods, gene therapy, and designer babies.

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The role of genetic modification (GM science) has made a tremendous impact on agricultural (Adenle, Alhassan, & Solomon, 2014). Crops developed by GM science first became commercially available in the U.S. around the mid 1990s, and have quickly been adopted by farmers (Adenle et al., 2014; Cowan, 2011). According to Phillips (2008) GM science has “... increased crop yields, reduced costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world's growing population” ( p 1.). In addition, GM science has made improvements towards developing crops that mature earlier and tolerate drought, frost, and other

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Human Genetic Engineering is the process of manipulating genes in an embryo to improve its quality of life. There are four different types of Human Genetic Engineering but there are two that receive the most scrutiny which are Germline Genetic Enhancement and Germline Genetic Therapy. Both forms of genetic engineering alter genes in embryos, but the difference between the two is that Germline Genetic Enhancement would be used for non medical purposes and Germline Genetic Therapy would be used for medical purposes (Resnick). The technology to allow these types of genetic enhancement is close to being available, but many criticize this kind of embryonic manipulation before any trials or studies have taken place. Due to the alterations on these

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And while many forms of biological engineering have proven beneficial to society, mankind, or life in general, ethics must always be considered. The scientific field of genetic engineering is rapidly changing. New discoveries are being made at a profound

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The introduction of information technology into the world of genetic modification has created the ability to process data at such a rate as to be able to select traits and insert them directly into DNA. Scientists are able to make decisions as to which traits are better for the “highest possible expected welfare” whether humans, plants or animals are the subject matter. A genetic creation affecting the balance of so-called superiority and survival of the fittest. Now, as never before, growth in advancements in genomic sequence availability and high-content biotechnology screening systems are available due to computational biology.

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The different forms of genetic are Natural selection, selective breeding, and the concept of playing god, which all have positives and negatives. Natural selection is where

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Both genetic engineering and artificial selection allow humans to change a species so that its members are better suited for human needs. However, the mechanism for change is different. Artificial selection selects for traits already present in a species, whereas genetic engineering creates new traits. In artificial selection, scientists breed only individuals that have desirable traits. For example, scientists may breed (cross pollinate, in this case) only the highest yielding crops with one another for many generations.

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Genetic engineering has been one of the most innovative applications resulting from great discoveries in genetics genetic engineering occurs when an organism's genes are directly manipulated by the use of biotechnology while very complicated to perform successfully this technique has become quite mainstream and the various controversies has guaranteed wide publicity whether one believes this practice is necessary and beneficial or to the contrary harmful it is something that definitely will not disappear in the years and decades to come genetic engineering has already made a significant footprint in many fields such as agriculture research medicine and industrial biotechnology Gmos are plant, animal, insect, bacterium or yeast that have undergone genetic modification or genetic engineering, meaning their genes have been mutated by altering, removing, or adding a gene from another organism the

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Science has enabled us to thrive in a world where change is a must if an organism wishes to live. It has allowed for us to bend and twist the world at our feet, even having enough strength to repel the touch of death. Genetic engineering is the next scientific advancement that will stand close in the near future. It has the capability of modifying the food production process, elimination of diseases and disorders, and the guarantation of the best traits in an organism.

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Is Genetic engineering Safe? Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism’s genetic composition by artificial means, often involving the transfer of specific traits, or genes, from one organism into a plant or animal of an entirely different species. Human beings ought to consider the pros and cons of genetic engineering before using it. It is a contentious topic because people have different views of weather genetic engineering is safe or not.

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