Human manipulation: tactics, psychology, and social dynamics

Human Manipulation

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Human manipulation of biological information

Human manipulation of biological information

In this paper, I did Google searches on transgenic animals, spider goats, and glow-in-the-dark monkeys. A transgenic animal is one that carries a foreign gene that has been deliberately inserted into its genome. The foreign gene is constructed using recombinant DNA methodology. In addition to a structural gene, the DNA usually includes other sequences to enable it to be incorporated into the DNA of the host and to be expressed correctly by the cells of the host.

Transgenic sheep and goats have been produced that express foreign proteins in their milk. For example, spider goats are goats in which the gene from spiders that causes certain cells to produce silk into goats has been introduced, tricking the goats' mammary glands into producing silk along with milk. The goats would become biological factories for BioSteel, an incredibly light fabric both biodegradable and strong enough to stop bullets. It is thought that BioSteel could be used in everything from body armor to spacecraft construction. It could replace plastics and other materials the body typically rejects for artificial tendons, ligaments and other prostheses.

I am for human manipulation of biological information because I believe that human manipulation of biological information holds the key to future advancement of mankind. As the spider goats illustrated, genetic engineering can lead to new products that will help make life easier for all of us. Behind most of the apprehension about human genetic manipulation is the fear of human cloning. If a Rheseus monkey, in which 95% of the genes are similar to humans can be genetically altered to glow in the dark like a jellyfish, then why not a human? Would a cloned human have a soul?. What would be the legal ramifications? However, the issues involving animal genetic manipulation and human manipulation are two different questions requiring different answers. As of now, under our present system of jurisprudence, animals do not have any constitutionally protected rights; hence, genetic engineering is not illegal per se. Whether human manipulation of biological information is ethically wrong depends upon your view of the relationships between animal and humans. Some people believe that animals have souls; hence, human beings have an obligation to treat animals with respect.as fellow creatures. However, some people believe that animals do not have souls; hence, man have the right to genetically alter animals for human purposes.