Syed Rashid

NFTE Period 6
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering is defined as the deliberate modification of the
characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. As of
today, genetic engineering on humans is considered unethical and
controversial. However, it is carried out on plants, fruits and vegetables to
get the best possible fruit and vegetable, for example, a modified fruit will
last longer and will taste better than the original fruit. Where genetic
engineering has its advantages, it has disadvantages as well.
Genetic engineering can be very useful, if used to its full potential. In
humans, scientists are working to eliminate diseases that are hereditary or
genetic. By manipulating the genes, scientists find a way to prevent people
from suffering. Moreover, genetic engineering helps individuals have a
chance at a healthier and better life style. The biggest advantage yet is that
genetic engineering allows parents to choose their childs traits; from blood
group to their physical strength and even level of intelligence. Hence, every
parent can model their child to their liking. Numerous diseases have been
treated by genetic engineering. These diseases include sickle cell anemia,
HIV, some types of genetic blindness, hypercholesterolemia, and hemophilia.
With reduced chances of getting diseases, the average human life span
increases between one-hundred to one-hundred fifty years.

However, genetic engineering has numerous disadvantages as well.

The first problem is that it is considered unethical by many people, so they
dont advocate for its research. They believe that its against their religious
belief and editing human genes is interfering with natures way. In addition,
many believe that genetic engineering restricts natural selection, a way
nature ensures that best survival traits evolve in humans over time.
Moreover, when all parents choose the best traits for their off springs, the
world will be filled with perfect people, with no flaws. This will create a huge
problem, as when each person is perfect, there will be extreme competition
for jobs. The best of the best will be selected, who will later be replaced by
the better version of them. People who are naturally reproduced will be
almost non-existent. In addition, genetic engineering is extremely expensive.
Per a research, it costs a minimum $100,000 to get genetically modified
human embryos. This high cost means that an average person will not be
able to afford this service, making his child inferior to the other genetically
modified children. Normal child will be left behind due to lack of perfect
genes, and hence might not even be able to compete in the world. Since
genetic engineering is yet not perfected and scientists are still working on it,
sometimes, the result may not what the parents expected, or worse, the
scientist may have to dispose of the imperfect embryo. This leads to
termination of embryos with undesirable gene pool. To some people, this is
tantamount to abortion. A huge debate is that no one has the right to decide
or judge what specific traits are good or bad. Main power to add or delete

genes belong to the scientists and the future parents. Not only this, but there
are risks associated with getting genes into a human body and having them
carry out the desired function. Some genes are carried in on viral vectors and
these bugs are altered so as not to infect the patient with disease.
Sometimes, the scientist can make a mistake, and the virus can gain
strength and have an adverse effect.
In conclusion, genetic engineering can be both, beneficial and
dangerous. It all depends on human use. In my opinion, genetic engineering
on humans should be out-lawed. It is not only unethical, but it is not fair that
wealthy people get genetically modified or perfect children, whereas the
average human, who cant afford genetic engineering, must have normally
reproduced children, who are left behind in the race of life just because the
other person is genetically modified to have higher IQ than an average
person.