The Bright Future of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Exploratory Essays R

The Bright Future of Genetic EngineeringImagine the major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, soybeans - which can freeze off diseases - and resist pests - and create their own fertilizers - and resist extremes of weather. Imagine potatoes containing more(prenominal) protein, and other vegetables and fruits which contain more nutrients, taste better and resist rot. Can you imagine tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Imagine what much(prenominal) food crops could flirt with for a world population which will double in less than 40 years. Imagine a fundamental revolution in health commission - with treatments and perhaps even cures for heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimers, cancer and AIDS. Richard J. Mahoney, 1993 (Wekesser 30) Genetic engineer is a topic which has come under great scrutiny and debate. Since its expression on the scientific stage in 1973 (Wekesser 23), it has been heralded as everything from the discovery of a fountain of youth to the harbinger of the death o f humanity. In reality, transmittable design is none of theses things. In simple terms, it is merely the utilization of one or more techniques for the purpose of modifying the DNA of an organism (Britannica V, 178). By modifying DNA, scientists today can use up some genetic diseases, they can manipulate plants and animals for increased food production and they can help protect against certain environmental hazards. Though genetic engineering is still in its infancy, its potential to benefit mankind is unprecedented. As such, it is a field that must be explored to its fullest. There are many facets to genetic engineering. The intimately common of these is recombinant DNA. This is a process through which the DNA of one organism is taken and combined with the DNA of another organism. The... ... Heredity The Physical Basis of Heredity.?The juvenile Encyclopedia Britannica Macropedia. fifteenth ed., 1989.Genetic Engineering.?The New Encyclopedia Britannica Micropedia. 15th ed., 198 9.McCuen, Gary E. Manipulating Life Debating the Genetic Revolution. Hudson, Wisconsin Gary E. McCuen Publications Inc., 1985.ONeill, Terry, ed. Biomedical Ethics Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994.Rosenthal, Nadia. Molecular Medicine Tools of the treat - Recombinant DNA.?The New England ledger of Medicine 04 August 1994 315+.Ubell, Earl. Should You Consider Gene TestingParade 12 January 1997 8+.Voelker, Rebecca. A Clone by Any Other Name Is mute an Ethical Concern.? diary of the American Medical Association 02 February 1994 331+.Wekesser, Carol, ed. Genetic Engineering Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994. The Bright Future of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Exploratory Essays RThe Bright Future of Genetic EngineeringImagine the major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, soybeans - which can resist diseases - and resist pests - and create their own fertilizers - and resist extremes of weather. Imagine potatoes containing mo re protein, and other vegetables and fruits which contain more nutrients, taste better and resist rot. Can you imagine tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Imagine what such food crops could mean for a world population which will double in less than 40 years. Imagine a fundamental revolution in health care - with treatments and perhaps even cures for heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimers, cancer and AIDS. Richard J. Mahoney, 1993 (Wekesser 30) Genetic engineering is a topic which has come under great scrutiny and debate. Since its appearance on the scientific stage in 1973 (Wekesser 23), it has been heralded as everything from the discovery of a fountain of youth to the harbinger of the death of humanity. In reality, genetic engineering is none of theses things. In simple terms, it is merely the utilization of one or more techniques for the purpose of modifying the DNA of an organism (Britannica V, 178). By modifying DNA, scientists today can eliminate some genetic diseases, t hey can manipulate plants and animals for increased food production and they can help protect against certain environmental hazards. Though genetic engineering is still in its infancy, its potential to benefit mankind is unprecedented. As such, it is a field that must be explored to its fullest. There are many facets to genetic engineering. The most common of these is recombinant DNA. This is a process through which the DNA of one organism is taken and combined with the DNA of another organism. The... ... Heredity The Physical Basis of Heredity.?The New Encyclopedia Britannica Macropedia. 15th ed., 1989.Genetic Engineering.?The New Encyclopedia Britannica Micropedia. 15th ed., 1989.McCuen, Gary E. Manipulating Life Debating the Genetic Revolution. Hudson, Wisconsin Gary E. McCuen Publications Inc., 1985.ONeill, Terry, ed. Biomedical Ethics Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994.Rosenthal, Nadia. Molecular Medicine Tools of the Trade - Recombinant DNA.?The New E ngland Journal of Medicine 04 August 1994 315+.Ubell, Earl. Should You Consider Gene TestingParade 12 January 1997 8+.Voelker, Rebecca. A Clone by Any Other Name Is Still an Ethical Concern.?Journal of the American Medical Association 02 February 1994 331+.Wekesser, Carol, ed. Genetic Engineering Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994.