Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Melissa Martin
Professor Malcolm Campbell
English 1103
September 26, 2016
Genetic Engineering: A Danger or Boon
Introduction/Overview
A world without blindness, HIV, and with fewer instances of malnutrition seems like a
science fiction utopia, but this world may be here sooner than we think. Genetic engineering has
the potential to prevent, or even eradicate, certain diseases, benefiting and altering humanity as a
whole. Today, gene therapy (the addition of a functioning gene in a patient with a dysfunctional
or missing gene) is used to treat certain genetic diseases. Genetically modified foods also offer
potential for improving global nutrition and lessening instances of large scale starvation.
However, expenses of research and ethical debates stymie advances in genetic manipulation
exploration. The future looks bright in terms of disease control, unless, that is, we do nothing to
implement global checks and balances in genetic experimentation. By clearly and concisely
stating the boundaries of genetic exploration, ethical issues can be limited freeing scientists from
battling with protesters of their work.
The world of genetic manipulation is large and holds varied possibilities for the future; in
this essay, I will be examining several of the costs and benefits of genetic engineering as well as
advocating in favor of increased global policies to limit breaches in morality.
A clear example of the conflicts facing genetic modification advancements revolves
around the genetically modified food golden rice (As reported on at motherjones.com). This
product was first successfully produced in 2001. Its purpose? To decrease instances of vitamin A
Martin 2
deficiency in developing countries. This rice gets its golden color from beta-carotene, a red
orange pigment that provides people with a significant portion of their necessary vitamin A (In
fact, beta-carotene is part of the carotenoid group which provides approximately 50% of the
vitamin A in a persons diet). Golden rice still isnt mass produced for three primary reasons: the
cost of research is high, it doesnt produce as much rice as an ordinary, unmodified rice strain,
and research has been slowed due to protests. The first two issues, while significant, could be
overcome with sufficient time and funding. The vandalization of fields in protest of genetically
modified food research will not be overcome without the acknowledgement of the government.
As of a 2011 article posted by motherjones.com, policies for monitoring genetic research in the
United States are openly nonexistent. This causes understandable concern in citizens. Nothing
holds companies accountable for appropriately testing their crops except their desire to maintain
a good reputation. Several sources exploring golden rice, U.S. genetically modified organism
(GMO) policies, and the benefits and drawbacks of advancing genetic research include:
Benefits and Drawbacks: Radical evolution: the promise and peril of enhancing our minds, our
bodies-- and what it means to be human by Joel Garreau
There are several conflicts surrounding genetic engineering, but I will primarily be
focusing on ethical, financial, and medical debates. In each of these conflicts, there are two main
opponents: those who support genetic engineering and those who do not.
Martin 3
Describe the complexity of your topic. In other words, summarize what different
positions or opinions people have about the topic? (If everyone agrees about your topic, then it
may not be complex enough to support a semesters worth of research. For example, a topic like:
You can send pictures on Snapchat aint gonna go far.) Who are the major different
groups/individuals contributing to the conversations and where do they have some of these
conversations? List publications, websites, conferences, broadcast channels, etc.
For this assignment, you DO NOT have to use MLA in-text parenthetical citation OR a
Works Cited; however, I do want you to name specific sources for any information you use.
100?
4) How have advances in bioengineering in other countries influenced U.S. policies?
5) Are there adequate checks and balances to protect human rights while advancing this
field of study?
I will focus primarily on the fifth question with the intent of exploring policies already in place
and advocating for more limitations to be implemented.
Martin 4
Children are notoriously curious. As a youth, I too displayed this curiosity, although it
was towards a topic that is not often explored by children: genetics. I wanted to know why
people are different from each other: Why is my hair blonde and hers brunette? Why does
everyone in my family need glasses but me? Why do I have eleven toes when others have ten?
To pursue this innate curiosity in college, I started taking a bioinformatics class, which only
prompted more questions. It is through this project I will explore specifics of genetic engineering
that will not be covered in class.
In regards to advances in genetic engineering, I know little and hope to get up to date on
the controversies surrounding it. In addition, I hope to gain a basic understanding of the different
methods and approaches to addressing health.
Next Steps
Following this proposal, I need to conduct the actual research that will make up the basis
of my project. I will make fifty notecards with relevant information to my topic that I can later
use to organize an outline. I have found media sources (The Washington Post), a book source
(Radical Evolution), and several reliable website articles, but I am still searching for an academic
source to use. To find one I will search the ebscohost database to find peer reviewed articles.
Overall:
Hey Melissa,
Great job overall! Your topic is really interesting, and it definitely is current and has a lot of
debate around it. Ive heard some speeches about this topicsome really good and some really
badbut I can already tell that your project is going to be great. There are only a couple places
that I was a little confused, but this genetic engineering stuff is also way over my head, so it
Martin 5
might just be me. Otherwise, this seems like a great start, and Im excited to see where all you
take it and what conclusions youre able to come to. Let me know if you find any mindblowing
research that you just cant wait to share with the world! J
Kaylyn