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View of Genetic Engineering

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Our current age is an age of terror, of fear, and of overwhelming possibilities. The possibilities that accompany the newest revolution, genetic engineering, could alter every life, in an almost inexplicable manner. This area is bounded not only by our imagination but by our values, and our morals.

smallpox virus
Smallpox Virus

Many are concerned by an inevitable result of genetic engineering. Terrorism already infects our globe, and genetic engineering opens yet another door, another method to instill terror amidst the general populace. Long eradicated diseases like smallpox could spread over the globe faster and sooner then ever before if mutate outbreak. It also offers unscrupulous scientists the opportunity to create new, unheard of, fatal diseases.

Although genetic engineering is a method to improve human society, it could be the one cause that might lead to its destruction instead. Genetic Engineering is already being used in various fields of human life.

Genetically engineered food is slowly gaining acceptance amidst people. An incident known as taco terrorism enhanced the fact that when foods were genetically engineered to improve their nutritious value, allergens could be transferred. Although a tiny flaw, similar mishaps of greater magnitude could prove fatal.

One immoral, unethical, and greatly feared outcome of this area of science is the prospect of cloning. While this method provides irreplaceable medical uses, recreation of humans is a matter worth debating. It could lead to the creation of a "perfect race", a resemblance to a Nazi dream of a globe of people carrying the same characteristics. It could lead to the ultimate annihilation of a notion that human society thrives upon, individuality. Results could be terrifying yet alluring, immortality one amidst many.

Some critics argue however that cloning people may result in a replication of the body yet the loss of the soul. Others doubt the existence of the soul. Cloning isn't just about body or soul, it's about regulating a part of life that doesn't lay in our hands, some call it 'Playing God'. We do not know what lies ahead, and in this effort to recreate lives, might we forget the beliefs of the cloned themselves? What if the new person didn't appreciate the fact that they were a remake, not an original product?

Ages ago, in ancient countries, girls were considered unlucky, and parents preferred boys - better to work with. Decades ago, parts of the globe dueled as ethnicity played a large part in the rulers of a region. Should parents be permitted to customize their child with the 'perfect' characteristics?

Designer children could be the end result of genetic engineering - as parents could be provided the opportunity to choose what kind of children they wished for. Parents could instill in their children gifts and talents of their choice, however would their be any talent if all could pertain it, if all could acquire every goal for all had every ability? Although laws may not regulate this element of genetic engineering, morality would suggest otherwise.

Dolly, the first sheep to be cloned
Dolly

Morality left aside, the entire world does not share common values, and scientific hazards could be part of human cloning. Dolly, the sheep that was cloned suffered some unusual diseases and lived a life out of the ordinary. She was expected to have a shorter lifespan than most sheep.

Would the effect of human cloning be the same? Many results in Dolly's cloning proved to be immoral, and unexpected. "Dolly was conceived using an ewe's egg and a cell from another ewe's body. It is noteworthy that no semen from a ram was involved. If the technique were perfected in humans, and came into general usage, then there would no genetic need for men."

There are too many unanswered questions that come with this opportunity, and if the end result could be the demise of reality as we know it, would it really be worth the effort?

Genetic engineering has raised questions from various groups, including environmentalists and animal rights activists. Genetically engineered organisms could be slightly altered and patented by various companies who were the first to 'create' them.

Another moral question: is it right to patent organisms? Another flaw in this plan is in the production of transgenic animals, some claim that they could prove perilous to other animals. "Genetically engineered fish raise problems if they interbreed with other fish that have not been genetically altered. Some experts fear that this process may change the characteristics of wild fish in unpredictable and possibly undesirable ways." These altered organisms might not only live altered lives but alter the lives of those surrounding them.

Many moralists question the true purpose behind genetic engineering, they question the righteousness of this initiative, and the destination of this brave step.

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