Over the last few decades, remarkable advances have been made in the field of genetic engineering. Consequently, scientists now have the ability to manipulate genes for a range of purposes, from making improvements in agriculture to experimentation with human genes. The question, however, is whether there should be any limitations on this development. Is this essay, I shall examine both sides of the argument.
Firstly, it is clear that genetic engineering has brought about certain benefits in terms of crop production. Now plants, for example, can produce more fruit more quickly. This achievement means that greater harvests are guaranteed, so that more people can be fed. As for the impact of genetic engineering on health care, advocates claim it could be used to cure a range of health-related problems, such as cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's. Children and adults with these diseases endure terrible suffering, yet with gene therapy, there is a possibility of a better quality of life.
Despite these advantages, there are some aspects of genetic engineering, which require ongoing consideration. Critics claim that genetically modified plants have little nutritional value and that they will lead to the eradication of weeds, which many insect species depend on. In the case of gene therapy, it is still uncertain how the alteration of one gene, even though it may be faulty, could affect the functions of the human body in the long term.
In my opinion, the benefits of genetic engineering can outweigh the drawbacks, provided governments and scientists consider the consequences carefully, and put people before profit.
Over the last few decades, remarkable advances have
been made
in the field of
genetic
engineering
.
Consequently
, scientists
now
have the ability to manipulate genes for a range of purposes, from making improvements in agriculture to experimentation with human genes. The question,
however
, is whether there should be any limitations on this development. Is this essay, I shall examine both sides of the argument.
Firstly
, it is
clear
that
genetic
engineering
has brought about certain benefits in terms of crop production.
Now
plants,
for example
, can produce more fruit more
quickly
. This achievement means that greater harvests
are guaranteed
,
so
that more
people
can
be fed
. As for the impact of
genetic
engineering
on health care, advocates claim it could be
used
to cure a range of health-related problems, such as cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's. Children and adults with these diseases endure terrible suffering,
yet
with gene therapy, there is a possibility of a better quality of life.
Despite these advantages, there are
some
aspects of
genetic
engineering
, which require ongoing consideration. Critics claim that
genetically
modified plants have
little
nutritional value and that they will lead to the eradication of weeds, which
many
insect species depend on. In the case of gene therapy, it is
still
uncertain how the alteration of one gene,
even though
it may be faulty, could affect the functions of the human body in the long term.
In my opinion, the benefits of
genetic
engineering
can outweigh the drawbacks, provided
governments
and scientists consider the consequences
carefully
, and put
people
before
profit.