Verified Document

Biology - Genetic Engineering Genetic Term Paper

Likewise, aspects of genetic engineering and stem cell technology offer long-term hope for victims of traumatic paralysis through the use of to repair spinal cord damage by providing artificially engineered nerve growth. Ethical Controversies:

Precisely because genetic engineering allows scientists to manipulate the very essence of what makes us who we are, the field has generated significant opposition.

Religious beliefs about the sanctity and "special" character of human life inspired intense political opposition to the wider incorporation of genetic engineering science necessary to reap its full benefit by successfully promoting and lobbying for bans on federal funding on some of the most beneficial applications of genetic engineering (Pollack 2007).

Secular medical ethicists have also raised concerns based on the potential use of genetic engineering for full-scale human cloning. In principle, the same technologies that enable the development of autogenic human tissues and organs are also capable of producing human beings without the necessity of combining the DNA of two parents. In the same way that scientists have already managed to clone sheep and other animals (Saunders 2001), they could also do the same using the genetic material of a single adult individual to produce an identical clone of that person.

In fact, the established medical community has no such plans, because they recognize both the ethical implications of non-medical uses of genetic engineering technology as well as the many formidable technical obstacles already encountered just in animal experimentation (Saunders 2001).

Conclusion:

The purposeful manipulation of genetics is a practice that substantially predates modern medicine, and in all likelihood, all of recorded human history. Advances in medical science in the 20th century have allowed scientists to achieve the same end directly, by altering genetic heredity at the molecular level that used to be implemented indirectly through selective breeding.

Already, the evidence suggests that the continued development of genetic engineering science has the powerful potential to revolutionize medical science, primarily by eliminating inheritable disease at the genetic level rather than merely treating it once it manifests itself in symptoms and disabilities. At the same time, antiquated traditional religious...

In many respects, they are no different from the objections of the Medieval Catholic Church to any study of human anatomy and to the response of the Vatican in more modern times to organ donation and transplantation and IVF procedures. Modern medical research is not conducted by "rogue" scientists such as those depicted in science fiction and the field of medical ethics has developed sufficiently to consider legitimate restrictions and guidelines for the myriad potential uses to ensure that practical experimentation does not outpace conceptual understanding and technical limitations with catastrophic or unethical results. In fact, the genuine ethical issue concerns the unfounded opposition to the most beneficial medical breakthroughs since the development of antibiotics shortly after World War II. Ultimately, genetic engineering and all its related technological breakthroughs will eventually prove to be equally beneficial to mankind in the prevention of human disease as traditional surgery and medicine have been to its treatment. REFERENCES
Aldridge, Susan (1998) the Thread of Life: The Story of Genes and Genetic Engineering. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Elias, Paul. Pursuing Healthier Bacon through Genetic Engineering. The Associated Press; Mar. 26/06. Retrieved March 31, 2008, from the U.S.A. Today website, at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/biotech/2006-03-26-biotech-bacon_x.htm?POE=TECISVA

Gribbin, John. (2002) the Scientists: A History of Science Told Through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors. New York: Random House.

Pollack, Andrew. After Stem-Cell Breakthrough the Real Work Begins. The New York Times, Nov. 27/07 (p. F1) Sagan, C. (1997) Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium. New York: Random House

Saunders, Jonathan. Science & Technology: The First Clone. U.S. News & World Report; Dec. 3/01 (pp. 50-63).

Zuckerman, M. (2005) a Bright Hope to Be Realized. U.S. News & World Report; Dec. 24/04-Jan. 3/05 (p.88).

Sources used in this document:
REFERENCES

Aldridge, Susan (1998) the Thread of Life: The Story of Genes and Genetic Engineering. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Elias, Paul. Pursuing Healthier Bacon through Genetic Engineering. The Associated Press; Mar. 26/06. Retrieved March 31, 2008, from the U.S.A. Today website, at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/biotech/2006-03-26-biotech-bacon_x.htm?POE=TECISVA

Gribbin, John. (2002) the Scientists: A History of Science Told Through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors. New York: Random House.

Pollack, Andrew. After Stem-Cell Breakthrough the Real Work Begins. The New York Times, Nov. 27/07 (p. F1) Sagan, C. (1997) Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium. New York: Random House
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Biology and Social Construction Involved in Training
Words: 1484 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Biology and Social Construction Involved in Training Children It has been quite a continuing debate over the years upon whether biology and genetics play a more important role in the upbringing of children and adaptation of roles or whether social construction and nurture overrides the innate nature. As soon as the child is born and opens his or her eyes into the world, there is a need to determine the kind

Biology in the Real World Stem Cells
Words: 748 Length: 2 Document Type: Article Review

Biology in the Real World Stem Cells Almost all life forms have stem cells in them and the main purpose of these cells is that through the process of mitosis they can divide into other various kinds of cells as well as into other stem cells. In animals there are 2 kinds of stem cells: Embryonic stem cells and Adult stem cells. The embryonic stem cells are the ones that are completely unattached from the

Genetic Influence of MDMA Neurotoxicity MDMA Neurotoxicity
Words: 1921 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Genetic Influence of MDMA Neurotoxicity MDMA Neurotoxicity Ecstasy [(±)-3.4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA, XTC, X, E] is one of the most popular drugs of abuse in the world (Capela et al., 2009, p. 211). Often used in social settings, such as the so-called 'raves' or all night dance parties, ecstasy has been reported to lower barriers to intimacy, increase the pleasure derived from friendships, enhance social interactions, and increase energy (euphoria) (Peters and Kok, 2009,

Genetic Disease
Words: 2160 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

Genetic Disease It is very clear, that today's focus on genetic technology and its claim has been having some vital insinuations for healthcare at the present time and also in the future. Nurses need to recognize the position of assimilating new knowledge of genetics into their performances and be capable of helping patients to be able to manage with their genetic foundation of various diseases. Nurses likewise will need to know

Engineering Curriculum Content Engineering Curriculum Acquiring Engineering...
Words: 1055 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Engineering Curriculum Content Engineering curriculum Acquiring Engineering education is essential in training good quality engineer who afterwards becomes equipped to take up challenging task and responsibility as they undertake their duty. As one who is bestowed with responsibilities of administering an institution with limited resources and assigned to take part in revising the engineering curriculum that can accommodate more number of graduates, it is important to have necessary curriculum contents. As time passed

Engineering Ethics
Words: 2105 Length: 7 Document Type: Research Paper

Engineering Ethics Ethics and Morality Related to the Field of Engineering The purpose of this paper is to define engineering ethics in brief, here the discussion will also be about why successful engineers should be able to inspire trust and confidence in others where their integrity and honesty is concerned. Some references will also be given regarding why college students have to be loyal before they step into the practical world. All

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now