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Genetic Engineering
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Genetic engineering was first used with animals in the 1970s ceeded in adding DNA from a frog to a bacteria. This proved that the DNA of two different species could be joined.
It was as incredible scientific discovery that suddenly gave man powers of creation that not even Nature possessed. In nature, only members of the same species could breed, but genetic engineering gave man the power to create entirely new specious. If scientists wanted to create a purple cow, all they'd have to do is join DNA of a cow with the color gene from an animal that was purple. Nature could never do that.
When looked at from the medical point of view, the ability to manipulate genes is a miracle. Physical defects could be eliminated by altering the genes of fetuses at the point of conception. Every baby could be born healthy. Mental disease could be eradicated.
But genetic engineering also opens up the possibility of designer babies. Couples would choose whatever physical or mental characteristics they wanted their child to have. Want a tall child with blond hair? No problem. Want a genius? No problem. Scientists would be able to program a child's physical appearance, intelligence, artistic or athletic ability, overall health, temperament or anything else.
Scientists have already made much progress toward identifying what genes does what. For instance, they've identified a gene in the brain whose length determines whether a person is happy or neurotic. People who have the long gene are well adjusted and content with life, but people whose gene is short are nervous, timid, and afraid.
There are a few things wrong with this technology. First, there are between 30,000 and 40,000 genes in the body, and scientists have no idea how each genes affects any of the others. A bad combination of genes could have disastrous effects.
Second, this technology will be very expensive, and the only people who will have access to it are people who have money. So if it becomes popular to program intelligence into a child, then two classes of human beings will be created on the earth - the genius variety and an inferior class of humans who haven't had access to the technology.
Finally, if we genetically alter our genes to our alter our genes to our own specifications, will we still be able to call ourselves human beings, or will be really be a race of manufactured robots?
Q1) What are some of the possible benefits of genetic engineering in plants, animals, or humans? What are some of the dangers?
Q2) At present, every developed country in the world forbids genetic engineering with human fetuses because of the freaks that could be created. Do you agree with this policy, of do you think genetic engineering should be allowed? Why or why not?
Q3) What do you think of the idea of designer babies? If you could design your own baby, what physical and mental characteristics would you want it to have?
Q4) The article suggests that someday there could be two kinds of human beings - the natural ones, and the genetically-altered super humans. If that happens, that kind of a place would the world become? Would you like to live in that kind of world? Why of why not?
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