Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering
Teresa Carlson
CD 5590
tcn03002@student.mdh.se
Abstract
In todays society, genetic engineering is an
increasingly important issue.
Many genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) and the products of
other GMOs are currently used and consumed by
humans, and research is continually conducted on
ways to modify the genetic traits of organisms to better
suit human lifestyles. This raises the question of
whether altering an organisms genetic structure
solely for anthropocentric purposes is ethical. The
aim of this paper is to present the purposes and
benefits of genetic engineering, and to compare them
to the ethical arguments against it. Also, an informed
opinion will be provided on whether genetic
engineering should ethically have a place in society.
1. Introduction
The production and use of genetically modified
organisms is increasing steadily. Although there are
many potential benefits to humans from this process,
the risks have not been adequately defined.
Researchers are developing new organisms too quickly
to accurately determine the effects of this procedure.
There are many people and organizations that are
completely against genetic engineering. The reasons
for their objections, as well as the potential benefits,
are both discussed in detail.
It is important to thoroughly examine all of the
statements both in favor of and against genetic
engineering to determine whether it should have a
place in our future. It is equally important to ensure
that the public has access to this information, as they
are the ones using or consuming the modified
products.
This paper outlines the history and process of
genetic engineering, and details the potential benefits
and risks to both humans and the environment posed
by the process. A description of the ethical problems
2. Genetic Engineering
A gene is a specific sequence of deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA). Each gene has instructions for the
expression of specific traits, such as hair color, eye
color and height. All of the genes in an organism work
together to create the final product: a living organism
[1]. Humans have over 100,000 genes in their bodies
[13].
Genetic engineering is a relatively new technique,
involving the transfer of genes from one organism to
another.
It
is
also
described
as
the
modification of genetic material by man that would
otherwise be subject to the forces of nature only. [14]
Genetic engineering research has only been around
since 1973, when it was first discovered that genetic
material could be identified and inserted into strands
of DNA. Since then, the process has become much
more advanced and widely used [15].
Each gene is identified as being related to the
expression of a specific trait. The gene for the desired
trait is isolated, and transferred to another organism [1]
using methods such as injection by needles, or
biolistics (using a type of guns to shoot the genetic
material into the nucleus of the cell) [13]. In other
words, genetic engineering is the technique of
artificially modifying the genetic make-up of living
organisms. It is even possible to exchange genes over
natural species barriers [1]. For example, animal genes
may be inserted into plants, and vice versa.
Genetic engineering is also called gene
manipulation, DNA manipulation, gene splicing, or
transgenics [13]. Genetic engineering changes the
physical properties of organisms, and most of the
effects are not yet known [1]. One of the major
concerns in genetic engineering is to ensure that the
gene which is inserted in an organism will be passed
on from one generation to the next, so that the
5. Ethical Debate
Genetic engineering is a controversial and
complicated subject, as there are not only concerns
about the benefits and risks to the environment and
human health, but there are also concerns about
whether it is right to genetically modify organisms in
the first place. Genetic engineering allows scientists to
disrupt the natural evolution process, by completely
changing organisms.
Is it right to assume that a few scientists can
improve on the results of billions of years of natural
evolution? [1] Genetic engineering is seen by many
people as playing God [9] or putting people in the
place of the Creator [4], as it gives to a few people the
ability to change the natural world completely. By
genetically modifying organisms, a scientist assumes
that this extremely new science is better for populating
the world than God or any other Creator, including
natural evolution and natural selection.
Religious groups may have specific reasons for
objecting to genetically engineering. For example, a
Muslim would object to pig genes being inserted into
vegetables and fruits, especially if the modified
products were not clearly labeled as containing pig
genes [11]. Vegetarians would surely object to animal
genes being inserted in fruits and vegetables, as they
could no longer eat those products if they felt strongly
about not eating meat [11].
Humans are modifying the world in a way which
would never happen naturally. In addition to the
5.8. Egoism
Ethical egoism is the belief that selfishness is a
virtue, as each person is best suited to know his owns
needs and interests. This means that each person
should act in such a way that would benefit only
himself, with no regard for the greater good or for
society as a whole.
When discussing genetic engineering, it is obvious
that many researchers are practicing this technique in a
very egoistic manner. While some companies or
individuals may have enormous concern for the
welfare of the environment and human health, others
are genetically modifying organisms without thought
of the possible consequences. These companies or
individuals are thinking only of the benefits to
themselves. Many will make a lot of money from their
products, and may also achieve fame.
5.9. Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism means that all actions should be good
for all of humanity, and that morality drives people to
act in such a way as to improve the world. Personal
interests must be bypassed so that all actions and
motives benefit society as a whole.
There are two sides to utilitarianism when
discussing genetic engineering. First, the risks posed
to human health and to the environment by genetic
engineering are great enough to say that it would
benefit society as a whole to completely stop all
research into the field. Society would be better if new
diseases were not created, or if the environments
natural processes were not disrupted in an irreversible
manner. Furthermore, the potential changes could
affect generations to come, and this is not fair to the
future of humanity.
The second side to utilitarianism is that which says
that the potential benefits from genetic engineering are
great, and that research should continue.
By
continuing with genetic engineering research, cures for
diseases could be found, prevention measures could be
determined, and human health could actually improve.
This means that society as a whole would benefit from
ongoing research into genetic engineering. However,
6. Conclusion
While the benefits of genetic engineering may be
far-reaching, the impacts are not entirely known.
When genetically modified organisms are released into
the environment, they cannot be removed, and it may
take decades or centuries to fully realize the
consequences. The impacts will affect the entire
world, not only those people who create and release
the organisms. Some people are so eager to proceed
quickly and develop new potentially beneficial GMOs
that they do not stop to fully consider the impacts of
their decisions. Researchers are too blinded by the
opportunity for wealth that they cannot see the
potential disastrous effects.
Ethically, it is very wrong to proceed with genetic
engineering. All of the above arguments have shown
that it is not right for humans to change the world in an
irreversible and radical manner.
While it does not seem wise to proceed with
genetic engineering, it is not reasonable to believe that
all genetic engineering research with halt. Therefore,
if research is to continue in the future, strict guidelines
should be created and adhered to. There must be better
risk assessments done for the potential impacts of the
modifications, adequate testing, and reporting on the
actual impacts or outcomes of the modifications.
The public must become informed about the risks
and benefits of genetic engineering, in order to make
informed decisions about whether of not to use
modified products [1]. Furthermore, it is essential that
all genetically modified foods be labeled clearly with
what genes have been added.
Several questions remain to be answered about
genetic engineering. What percentage of human genes
must an organism have before it too is considered
7. References
[1] Epstein, R. Redesigning the World Ethical Questions
About Genetic Engineering. Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly
Journal of Orthodox Buddhism. Vol 32 (76): 34-39. 2001.
<http://online.sfsu.edu/%7Erone/GEessays/Redesigning.htm
>
[2] Epstein, R. Ethical Dangers of Genetic Engineering.
Synthesis
and
Regeneration,
Issue
20,
1999.
<http://www.greens.org/s-r/20/20-01.html>
[3] Fox, K., McAvoy, L. Environmental Ethics: Strengths
and Dualisms of Six Dominant Themes.
< http://www.fw.umn.edu/NRES3011/FoxMcAvoy.html>
[4] Lassen, J., Madsen, K.H., Sandoe, P. Ethics and genetic
engineering Lessons to be learned from GM foods.
Bioprocesses and Biosystems Engineering. Vol 24 (5): 263271, 2002. <http://www.springerlink.com>
[5] Partridge, E. Environmental Ethics: An Introduction.
1980. http://gadfly.igc.org/e-ethics/Intro-ee.htm
[6] Rifkin, J. Playing Ecological Roulette with Mother
Natures Designs. The Trouble with Meat, Vol 9 (3). 1998.
<http://www.emagazine.com/mayjune_1998/0598feat2.html>
[7] Taylor, P. Are Humans Superior to Animals and
Plants?
<http://www.fw.umn.edu/NRES3011/discussion.html>
[8] Tickner, J., Raffensperger, C. The Precautionary
Principle in Action: A Handbook.
Science and
Environmental Health Network. <http://www.biotech-
info.net/handbook.pdf>
[9] Boyd Group. Genetic engineering: Animal welfare and
ethics.
1999.
<http://www.boydgroup.demon.co.uk/genmod.htm>
[10] Canadian
Environmental
Environment Network.
Ethics.
Code of
1994.
<http://www.royalroads.ca/ste/research/gender/Env_Code.ht
ml>
[11] Church of Scotland. Genetically Modified Food: Pros
and Cons. Society, Religion and Technology Project. 1999.
<http://www.srtp.org.uk/gmfood1.htm>
[12] Church of Scotland. Patenting Life? - An Introduction
to the Issues. Society, Religion and Technology Project.
1996. < http://www.srtp.org.uk/scsunpat.shtml>
[13] New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Issues and Ethics Surrounding Genetic Engineering of
Foods.
<http://www.maf.govt.nz/MAFnet/schools/activities/johngmf
.htm>
[14] Online Biology Dictionary.
online.org/dictionary.asp>
<http://www.biology-