Genetic Engineering By: Céline Fuchs

Alteration of the DNA of a cell for purposes of research, as a means of manufacturing animal proteins, correcting genetic defects, or making improvements to plants and animals bred by man ( What is Genetic Engineering?

What are some pros and cons?

Pros Ω Disease: opens the door to cures for thousands of diseases, including AIDS and genetic disorders. Ω Food: adds nutrients that would not have been possible otherwise. Ω Can help increase food production; a step to end world hunger. Ω Environment: cuts down on pesticides. Ω Mostly safe for humans, and any risks are outweighed by the benefits.

ΩNot enough research to prove that genetic engineering is harmless; still theoretical. ΩFood: cross-pollination will contaminate the non- engineered plants. ΩEven though it can help produce more food, the amount of food isn’t the problem when trying to help end world hunger; it’s the distribution of the food. ΩEnvironment: can affect other organisms in unknown ways. ΩScientists are playing God by trying to change organisms’ genetic makeups. Cons

History “In 1944, Canadian-American bacteriologist Oswald Avery discovered that DNA was the carrier of genetic information. Almost a decade later, in 1953, English biophysicist Francis Crick and the American biochemist James Watson discovered the double-helix structure of DNA and explained how DNA carried genetic information” (“Update: Genetic Engineering”). Building on this information, “Genentech [the world’s first biotechnology company] introduced its first discovery, synthetic human insulin, in 1982, and this was the first genetically engineered human therapeutic product. Diabetics, who lack an essential protein for processing glucose in the digestive system, require regular injections of insulin to maintain blood-sugar levels and prevent coma. Previously, insulin had been mass-produced from the pancreatic cells of various mammals, such as cows and pigs, but Genentech’s breakthrough ended this reliance on animal proteins. As the first drug engineered entirely in a laboratory via gene splicing, synthetic insulin led the way for an entirely new class of medicines. These include human growth hormone and drugs that stall the progress of some forms of cancer.” (“Genetic Engineering”).

History cont. The next stop was genetically modifying food. In laboratories, scientists altered plant DNA to get desired traits out of them. For example, scientists were able to make plants resist herbicides so that herbicides could be used to kill the weeds and reduce the fear of killing the plant itself. Another example is altering the DNA to form a gene for plants to create their own pesticides (“Genetic Engineering”). “Monsanto, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is the international leader in the development of genetically modified seeds. It produces versions of soybean, corn, cotton, and oilseed rape [or rapeseed] that are protected by U.S. and international patent law” (“Genetic Engineering”).

Marginalize: to put in a lower position Genetic engineering marginalizes both farmers and religious people. Farmers When genetic engineering is used on food, it degrades farmers. If we can get crops to do exactly what we want them to do, who needs farmers? Scientists can take over agriculture from here. Plus, farmers’ crops can become contaminated with the genetically engineered stuff through cross-pollination. Religious People This can be someone who belongs to an order or even you or me. When scientists use genetic engineering on people in order to fix flaws, they are playing God. They are attempting to alter the very genetic makeup that makes each and every person special. You don’t even have to be religious to understand that humans are attempting to mess with pre-decided stuff, whether by God or by some other greater force.

Video Farmers: (negative) eYg eYg Humans: (positive)

What do you think about genetically engineering crops? What do you think of Alvin Toffler’s prediction? What are some ways scientists can genetically engineer humans?

What Do You Think? Do the Pros outweigh the Cons and the Controversy?

Genetic Engineering in Popular Culture: Example:Wolf Muttations Wasps Jabberjays The Hunger Games Kim Possible Episode: Kimitation Nation In one of his crazy plots, the evil Drakken tries to clone Kim. Matched In a futuristic society, the ruling power known as the Society controls everything. At a person’s Final Banquet (the eightieth birthday when that person dies) a tissue sample is taken and preserved so that the Society can bring that person back “when” the technology comes to light.

Works Cited "Update: Genetic Engineering." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 15 July Web. 16 Mar "Genetic Engineering." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Mar