Articles :: Application of Genetics :: Human acting as God.

Uncertainty of outcome

Human Acting as God?     Microsoft Design Gallery Live

Our knowledge about genes is very limited. For a long time we have assumed that a gene directly controls one characteristic. We believed that we can transfer the gene to another organism, and that organism will gain a new characteristic without affecting other metabolic processes. So, scientists believed that human genome consists of about 100000 genes. But recent research tells us that there is only 30000, only 3 times the number of genes of flies. As you can see, the function of gene is not one gene one feature. The genes interact in a very complex hidden way that we don't know. We are actually UNCERTAIN what will happen if the genes are altered.

	Genetic Engineering and the Effects on our Ecosystem
	Created by Ourselves

Genetic engineer can't be undone

Organisms have the ability to produce offspring, interact with other organisms in the ecosystem. Once genetically alter species are released to the nature, or interacts with other organisms in other ways, (e.g. pollination) it may upset the ecosystem, or cause pollution.

Undesirable effect of genetic pollution.

This kind of pollution often happened beyond our control. The effect can be extremely dangerous. We can't stop it. From the view of ecosystem, genetically modified plants cause great harm to traditional farming by upsetting the balance. Many European countries had found that imported seeds are polluted by genetically modified ones. They were forced to destroy all of them.
We can't resist this side-effect. Organisms interact in such a complicated way, we don't know where and when the genetically modified ones will transfer their genes to other organisms.

Super pests and Super weeds

The most common GM crops are those that resist herbicides or pests. Soybean is one of them. In China there is over 6000 kinds of soybean. Some of them are regarded as weeds. If the soybean cross-pollinates the unwanted soybean, there will be super weeds that we can hardly remove. Bt corns can resists pests. But scientists found that some pests are beginning to development "immunity" to this poison. In 3 to 5 years, Bt corns can no longer resist these pests.

Wolf     Microsoft Design Gallery Live

Seeing the future

If our technology is improving so fast that soon we are able to "customize" our son and daughter, what will happen?

In some backward countries, parents expect boys more than girls. As a result, male to female ratio will be distorted. There will be many social problems. Have we considered whether this is mortally acceptable? This is against the nature, is it safe? Our world is consisted of different peoples. We differ physically and also psychologically. We have different talents, different personalities, together we contribute to this world. If this is changed, will this balance be upset?

Conclusion

Genetic engineering, this technology is only at the beginning. We must bear in mind that our knowledge is limited. Any experiments should be taken with extreme care. Releasing genetically modified organisms is surely a irresponsible and dangerous act.

Rate this Article

Search For:
Match:	Any word All words Exact phrase Sound-alike matching