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A quick Video Game related write-up:

For many fans of the video game franchise known as Halo, it has been a rough week
knowing that the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection has been table-flipping
infuriating. Ever since the release, there have been game breaking bugs and frustrating glitches
that have plagued players all across the world. Being a Halo fan has been tough these past few
days, particularly if youre more into the multiplayer aspect of the game. Looking for a game in
the now-shortened multiplayer playlist menu gives you a glimmer of hope if you find one good
game; only to destroy it with the cringe-worthy waiting times. There have also been
abnormalities and bugs that have caused disruptions like unbalanced teams or additional players
that do not belong in that particular game type/playlist. There have even been reports of
multiplayer bugs with A.I. acting irregular and achievements refusing to unlock. Though 343
Industries sees to address most of these issues via a huge update coming out this next
Wednesday, November 19th, video game fans in general cant help but ponder the future of nextgen video games and how big companies have been rather rushing games out before they are
fully ready.

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Jeffrey Morales
Dr. Hall
English 112-66
10/22/2013
Rogerian Paper

Genetic Engineering of Humans

Throughout the years, genetically engineering animals and plants have been practiced by
many scientists. During recent years, there have been debates regarding whether a scientist
should or should not experiment with genetically engineering in humans. In order to make life
better for future humans, scientists have come up with ideas of genetically altering humans
through different methods like gene therapy. From figuring out how to fully clone a human, to
enhancing humans as soldiers, there are many reasons why this is a hot topic in the world today.
With that being said, there are many pros and cons that people need to familiarize themselves
with.
When speaking about genetically altering humans, it can definitely help when it comes to
prolonging your life. The research put into human genetic engineering could be the key in
making our lives longer. Scientist could do things at a molecular level that could otherwise be
impossible without research and experimentation. In fact, Once we fully understand the genetics
of ageing it may be possible to slow down or reverse some of the cellular mechanisms that lead
to our decline (Arnold). Although there are many benefits, do they outweigh the risk overall?
The first reason why we should not genetically alter humans is because it is generally
unsafe. there have been several deaths due to genetic engineering. The viral vectors that are
used to bring the DNA into the cell may cause lethal immune responses or even tumors
(Canano). With that being said, genetically altering in any way can lead to more problems and

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less solutions. In addition to that, there have been recorded deaths regarding gene therapy.
There have been several deaths in gene therapy trials, most famously that of Jesse Gelsinger in
1999. (Arnold).
The second reason is because mutations can occur and cause problems later on. With
solving the problem of one disease, or genetically modifying a gene for some reason, a mutation
with a detrimental effect can fill its void. Most scientists say that what is preventing them from
embarking on HGE [Human Genetic Engineering] is the risk that the process will itself generate
new mutations, which will be passed on to future generations (King). This causes an unforeseen
threat that will sooner or later materialize and become a massive problem. The mutations that
occur cannot be controlled because they happen at a molecular level within our body, and
changes in our body do not always have answers along with them. Mutations that occur in the
human body cannot always be predicted or controlled by humans working inside a lab.
The third reason is that genetic alteration could be exploited to benefit the act of
terrorism. When it comes to terrorist, new technology could lead to new tactics they can use.
Terrorist groups or armies could develop more powerful biological weaponry. These weapons
could be resistant to medicines, or even targeted at people who carry certain genes
(McPhersson). With war always being around, the enemy will always find a way to hurt their
enemy using brutal tactics.
When it comes to genetically enhancing humans, we should only do it to people in
dire need of gene therapy, to help eliminate inherited diseases, and to use it purely for
medical purposes. If people are going to die because of something wrong in their genes, it is
most appropriate for them to use gene therapy as a last resort. Since they were going to die
anyways, it only makes sense to use gene therapy to see if that option can save them. Also,

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diseases like cancer could be avoided in the future if we can use human engineering to tweak our
DNA. genetic mutations can make our bodies more susceptible to attack from viruses or our
own immune system. If the full benefits of gene therapy are ever realised we can replace the dud
genes with correctly functioning copies (Arnold).
Overall, using human engineering when someone is in dire need of gene therapy, for
eliminating deadly diseases, and using gene therapy for only medical reasons can be very
important in our society today. As long as the scientists do not try and perfect the human
genome, we can use human genetic engineering to benefit the lives of future Americans.

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Works Cited
Arnold, Paul. "Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering in Humans." Bright Hub. Bright Hub, 28
Feb. 2012. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.
Canano, C., N. Schichor, and J. Simonet. "Should We Allow Genetic Engineering? A Public
Policy Analysis of Germline Enhancement." Developmental Biology 10e Online:. N.p.,
June 2012. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.
King, David. "Human Genetics Alert - The Threat of Human Genetic Engineering." Human
Genetics Alert - The Threat of Human Genetic Engineering. Human Genetics Alert, n.d.
Web. 14 Oct. 2013.
McPhersson, Jerry. "Effects of Genetic Engineering." Effects of Genetic Engineering. N.p., 24
Aug. 2008. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.