Is Genetic Modification Beneficial to Humanity Essay

Introduction

Genetic engineering which is referred to as genetic modification is the act of changing the DNA of an organism's genome thus modifying the organisms' characteristics. The action might mean changing the base pair of a gene through deletion or addition of a copy gene. For example, genetic modification can be utilized in the production of plants which can tolerate exposure to the herbicides and which are of higher nutritional value. Therefore, genetic engineering has contributed various developments making it beneficial to humanity. Due to this reason, the paper will focus on the way genetic engineering has been advantageous to understanding.

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Benefits of Genetic Engineering

Agricultural Benefits From Genetic Engineering

This technology utilizes the use of the current techniques of plant breeding, and the frequently modified crops are the soybeans and the corns. Crops are genetically altered to promote higher yield production due to the creation of the molecules which are toxic the insect pests. The particles produced by these crops are not dangerous to animals and humans. Crops are genetically modified so that they can resist the plant diseases and pests including weeds which might lower the crops yields. The farmer ends up acquiring greater income from the sale of crop products since they use less chemical in control of pests and diseases. The modified crops which are resistant to herbicides produce higher yields since the farmer minimize the species of weeds in the field. The increased yields of crops are crucial to the population growth as the reduced utilization of insecticides has proved to be of importance to biodiversity (Affifi 75-98). The future potential of the genetic modification to the crops will tend to influence the crop yield through less water requirement and increased the content of nutrients. For example, the golden rice which has been modified to have increased content of vitamin A can be used in various parts of the globe where insufficient vitamin A causes blindness.

Medical Benefits Acquired From Genetic Modification

The first benefits of the genetic change in the field of medicine were the development of insulin for the humans which was in the bacterial cells. Before this development, patients who were suffering from diabetic were being treated with pig insulin. The development of human insulin has facilitated the reduction of animals which were used to produce insulin and the reaction which occurred to the diabetic patients. The human insulin which has been modified through genetic engineering is compatible with the humans thus correcting their diabetic condition. The technology has led to the improvement of many lives since it has facilitated the production of different human proteins. Currently, the field of medicine has developed therapeutic molecules that are naturally occurring antibodies which target the killer diseases like cancer (Patra and Araromi 2015). The antibodies produce toxic substances which kill or stick to the cancerous cells thus activating the immune system of the patient to help in the destruction of cancer.

Genetic Modification Helps in Testing Traits in Organisms

The diagnostic testing among the individuals has helped in determining if they will develop a particular condition in future or not. This testing is an attractive and vital choice for the people who are at risk for different diseases which have treatments or preventative measures. The testing can be carried out to the individual who are carriers of genes which possess reproductive recurrence risks. Embryos which cannot be affected by the genetic diseases are selected and implanted to the woman's uterus through the process of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (Cooper 288-299). Genetic testing has contributed to the detection of sickle cell anaemia or the Tay-Sachs disease among the people. Therefore, genetic engineering has helped in testing for the occurrence of various behaviors in animals and humans.

Creation of the Designer Babies

Genetic modification has facilitated improvement in the inheritance of the human characteristics in the area of eugenics. Eugenics is utilized in the process of genetic engineering through conduction euthanasia and sterilization. Children who are developed through this process are resistant to some diseases since they have improved immunity system (Affifi 75-98). Their immune system can fight various diseases making them not to consume medicines to cure the disease.

Industrial Importance Acquired From Genetic Engineering

The industrial biotechnology contributes to the improvement of the processes through biological molecules production like the enzymes. For example, in cheese manufacturing, rennin production acts as a critical ingredient to this biotechnological industry. The biotechnological industries are acquiring these enzymes from the young animals and later modifying them to help in milk products production (Cooper 288-299). Also, industries can digest the waste products released from them using the manufactured bacteria reducing their toxicity in the environment.

Conclusion

Genetic engineering is beneficial to humanity since they are using it in various industries thus improving their lives. Genetic modification is used in the agricultural, medical and the industrial sector. The change of genes has made people acquire more income from the sale of various farm products which are not affected by the diseases and pests. Therefore, the benefits of genetic modification outdo its disadvantages leading to the improvement of humanity.

References

Affifi, Ramsey. "Genetic Engineering and Human Mental Ecology: Interlocking Effects and Educational Considerations." Biosemiotics 10.1 (2017): 75-98. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5437137/

Cooper, David KC, et al. "The role of genetically engineered pigs in xenotransplantation research." The Journal of pathology 238.2 (2016): 288-299. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26365762

Patra, Satyajit, and Araromi Adewale Andrew. "Human, Social, and Environmental Impacts of Human Genet." Journal of Biomedical Sciences 4.2 (2015). Retrieved from http://www.jbiomeds.com/biomedical-sciences/human-social-and-environmental-impacts-of-human-genetic-engineering.php?aid=7264