ENGINEERING AND ETHICS

GENETIC ENGINEERING ETHICS

Technology is a double-edged sword and hence needs to be handled with
responsibility. Genetic engineering is nothing but the technology by means of which
genetic material is scientifically engineered to replicate the original genetic material
in living organism be it plants, animals or even human beings. Genetic engineering
involves creation of recombinant DNA by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing
together fragments from similar or dissimilar organisms.
Genetic engineering has been put to use in several fields. Transgenic plants, pestresistant plants were created which helped to increase the quantity as well as
quality of food crops, which only meant increased food supply for the needy.
Scientists also found out a way to alter somatic cells and hence modify the genetic
make up of people to cure certain diseases or ailments. Thus, the advancements in
the field of genetic engineering are considered to be positive developments.
However, there are certain issues associated with this field that make us think
whether the practice of genetic engineering can be considered as valid and
harmless on an ethical scale.
Genetic engineering helps to create transgenic plants, which are nothing but a cross
of different species of plants. Often these sort of medications or engineering
techniques are carried out in order to improve the quantity and the quality if the
yield. However the creation of genetically engineered plants means creation of a
different species of plants altogether. In addition to this several questions have also
been raised about the ill effects of creating genetically engineered plants.
First and foremost it has been observed that genetically engineered plants, which
were made pest-resistant, also created damage to several other insects. Hence
while creating insect-resistant plant varieties, care should be taken that it doesnt
drive the entire species of that insect or other insects towards extinction. Also, there
exists a possibility that insects can develop resistance to that pesticide element in
the plant and hence pose increased danger.
The biggest ethical issue in genetic engineering is about the concern over creating
living creatures out of genetic material. Human cloning or even crossing animal and
human genes to create living creatures will lead to the emergence of a different
type of creatures. There can be several unethical things that can happen like
creation of living organisms and using them as labor or slaves. Thus care has to be
taken about who could use these technological advances, and what are the
unethical threats, which need to be prevented.
Besides this, one major ethical issue that a majority of people have cited in this

reference is that the use of genetic engineering for creation of life forms is similar to
playing God and taking control of creation and destruction of life on earth. While
on one hand, the ability of genetic engineering to cure diseases and health
conditions is a great benefit, the possibilities of its misuse are plenty.
Any new technology has its set of advantages and disadvantages. However you
cannot proscribe a beneficial technology because of the possible misuse. Saying no
to genetic engineering would be like refusing to log on to the Internet because you
are afraid your email account might get hacked. The simple solution is to use the
technology with great caution. Technology is never inherently good or bad; it is the
intentions of the people who use it.