Genetic Engineering

Roland Shields

Instructor Hallquist

4/1/2013

Genetic Engineering

In the early 1970s scientists developed the fundamental techniques of recombinant DNA technology the artificial addition, deletion, or rearrangement of genetic sequences in order to alter the form and function of an organism. The resulting technologies, known as genetic engineering, include gene therapy, which aims to replace defective genes with healthy genes; gene splicing, which involves the genetic modification of crops by inserting the genetic material of a natural insecticide or vitamins; and cloning, the production of identical genetic copies, which is often used to create the genetic material needed for the other techniques. This is known as In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process by which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is a major treatment for infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed. The process involves monitoring a woman's ovulatory process, removing eggs from the woman's ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them in a fluid medium in a laboratory. When a woman's natural cycle is monitored to collect a naturally selected egg for fertilization, it is known as natural cycle IVF Almost immediately after these technologies were introduced, some analysts began to voice their fears about potential abuses. I can totally see how this could be frowned upon. I agree that it does take the surprise out of the birth, but, with genetic Engineering delicious cows are breed to be all the same, and I don't here anybody complaining when they are eating a hamburger. I do not condone human genetic engineering however, that is a whole other category in its self.

I support genetic engineering but believe it needs to be properly regulated. Genetic engineering holds many promises for humanity. We may be able to cure many diseases. What would be unethical would be to just leave people ill because we're afraid it's "not natural" to...