Week 2 DQ1

What are the human genome project, cloning, DNA fingerprinting, genetic engineering, and stem
cells? What are some pros and cons of each issue? Do you support each issue? Eplain!
Human Genome Project - "esearch supporting the efforts of se#uencing and mapping of
genomes and identifying the gene it contains $%National &uman 'enome "esearch (nstitute,
2)12!*+! ,ros -ould .e ha/ing the a.ility and kno-ledge to correct genetic disorders, and a
.etter understanding of the human genome! 0ons -ould .e the a.ility of humans to control traits
in children, less tolerance in accepting indi/idual differences, and of course the misuse of the
technology for e/il rather than good $Narcisse, 2)12+!
Cloning - 0loning is the eact genetic copy of another, and the DNA is the eactly the same
.et-een the t-o! 1he pros are creating changes .y increasing the positi/e traits and decreasing
or eliminating the negati/e traits! 0ons could result in eliminating the di/ersity in genes! Ethical
considerations regarding the replication of humans of animals and decrease the /alue of life
$2u33le, 2)12+!
DNA fingerprinting 4 DNA genetic fingerprinting is used to identify uni#ue DNA structure of a
human .eing! ,ros of DNA genetic fingerprinting is the a.ility to maintain a DNA data.ase that
can .e used to sol/e crimes, pre/ent disease using pre/ention, and lifestyle changes! 0ons are
the ethics in/ol/ed in the maintaining of a data.ase that contains DNA fingerprints! 1he
contro/ersy regarding the relia.ility and su.jecti/ity of DNA fingerprints $Duncan52ryant,
2)12+!
Genetic Engineering the a.ility to manipulate and alter genes, indirectly, using techni#ues,
including transformation and molecular cloning! ,ros are genetically manipulating foods and
humans for the .enefit of e/ery human! A food pro is the altering of foods to de/elop ne-
strains -ith increased nutritional /alues and larger yields! &uman pro is to create less negati/e
traits, such as genetic traits! 0ons are creating foods that may kill off natural plants! 0ons in
humans are the potential to negati/ely affect genetic di/ersity $2u33le, 2)12+!
Stem Cells 0ells that are non5speciali3ed cells not assigned to one function! A stem cell can
.ecome or create many types of cells throughout the .ody, include .rain cells, tissue cells, and
muscle cells! 6ost stem cells are found in the .ody of a fetus! ,ros of stem cells are the
research ad/antages of finding ne- -ays to treat diseases and reduce suffering using stem cells
that self rene-, regenerate, and multiply! 0ons are the potential of increase a.ortions to gain
access to more stem cells and that humans may alter human life, and the long term side effects of
stem cell therapy $&ealth 'uidance, 2)12+!

References
2u33le $2)12+! 1he pros and cons of cloning! "etrie/ed from
http788---!.u33le!com8articles8pros5and5cons5of5cloning!html

2u33le! $2)12+! 1he pros and cons of genetic engineering! "etrie/ed from
http788---!.u33le!com8articles8pros5and5cons5of5genetic5engineering!html

Duncan52ryant, E! $2)12+! ,ros and cons of DNA fingerprinting! "etrie/ed from
http788---!eho-!com8a.out9::1;<<<9pros5cons5dna5fingerprinting!html

&ealth 'uidance! $2)12+! ,ros and 0ons of =tem 0ell 1herapy! "etrie/ed from
http788---!healthguidance!org8entry812<>>818,ros5and50ons5of5=tem50ell51herapy!html

Narcisse, 2! $1;;?+! 1he human genome project de.ate! "etrie/ed from
http788---!ndsu!edu8pu.-e.8@mcclean8plscA<18students;?8narcisse!htm

National &uman 'enome "esearch (nstitute! $2)12+! All a.out the human genome project!
"etrie/ed from http788---!genome!go/81)))1BB2