Describe The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering (Term Paper Sample)

The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering
Student’s name
Institutional Affiliation
The Pro and Cons of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering means the DNA alteration technologies that are used to change the genetic make-up of an organism by adding one or more traits that cannot be found in the targeted organism naturally (Nelsen & Chant, 2014). In a DNA manipulation process, scientists can join together DNA characteristics from different sources to make hybrid plant or animal cells (Scott, P. et al., 2016). Genetic engineering, also called Genetic Modification (GM) produces Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). The organisms that emerge from genetic engineering technology have their pros and cons. However, GM has more advantages than disadvantages in the agricultural and medical fields and offers the solution to food security and the cure for chronic diseases.
The Pros of Genetic Engineering
Through the creation of super-fast growing crops and animals, genetic engineering helps to boost agricultural and dairy products yields by dramatic proportions. The view that GM increases crop production is held by both Datta (2013) and Rashid (2017). While vouching for GMO, Datta (2013, para. 5) points out that food security faces a big threat from climatic change-related floods, drought, and extreme heat. Hence genetic engineering plays a crucial role in increasing agricultural production. In the United States, genetic modification has improved corn yields by 37% (Rashid, 2010). Genetic engineering; therefore, offers faster and mass food production methods to satisfy the needs of an ever-increasing world population.
The modification of genes and the joining of DNA traits to create new molecules in plants and animals is a revolutionary solution that provides disease-resistant crops and livestock. In a process referred to as “transgene,” or the implantation of genetic codes, GMO scientists are able to introduce immune receptors into crops and livestock to combat animal and plant diseases. Scott, P, et al. (2016) and Chen, Lyngkjжr & Collinge (2012) state that with the identification of the virulent or bacterial factors, genetic engineers can cut off disease-causing genes in agricultural crops, and insert genes that resist frost, extreme heat, and diseases. The development of organisms that withstand bacterial, viral, fungi and diseases as well as the vagaries of weather enhances food sustainability and can help to stop the loss of lives because of hunger.
GM as a crop science provides products with a longer shelf-life than the naturally-occurring organisms. For example, through GM, scientists have delayed the ripening of bananas by manipulating the ripening hormone, ethylene (Elitzur, et al., 2016). By extending the post-harvest storage period of bananas, tomatoes, and other types of food, genetic modification, has rescued farmers from post-harvest losses and increased the economic welfare of agricultural communities (Rashid, 2010). In the food industry, this transgenic technology is of much help since the foods produced through genetic engineering can be transported to longer distances without getting spoilt.
Gene editing, gene breeding, and transgene integration are also helpful in creating tastier fruits and food. The idea that GM technology can assist to produce sweeter, aromatic compounds, and less acidic food is expressed by Work (2017). “Genetic modification “turns many fruits and vegetables into the delicious food we eat today” (Work, 2017, para.5). Therefore, genetic engineering offers a powerful opportunity for the genetic upgrading of fruit quality and the quantity of staple foods.
In medicine, genetic engineering is applied in the creation of vaccines. In the 20th and 21st centuries, molecular biology via genetic engineering and immunologic markers has become the cheapest means to produce cell cultures and pathogens (Plotkin, 2014 & Bull, Smithson & Nuismer, 2018). The first genetically-engineered vaccine was produced in 1981. Other genetically-engineered vaccines, such as the Hepatitis-B vaccine for human beings and the vaccine for foot and mouth diseases among cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs have been developed (Cheung & Kupper, 2013, & “Micro-Discoveries Online,” n.d., para. 3). Scientists have used a technique called pharming to program crops into producing vaccines, proteins, and pharmaceutical products.
The Cons of Genetic Engineering
Despite the numerous advantages of genetic engineering in agriculture and medicine, there is concern about the blending of proteins that are not present in the genetic make-up of natural organisms resulting in allergic reactions (Buchanan, 2010). However, recent studies as noted by Lim (2014, para.14) and Xu (2015, para. 9) show that GMO products can be engineered to eliminate all allergens.
Can gene editing cause the eradication of natural genes? The uncontrolled modification of plants and animals through the artificial transfer of selected genes from one living organism to another living organism, which need not be of the same species, can produce genetically modified organisms with strange characteristics (Nelsen & Chant, 2014). Thus genetic engineering has invited stiff opposition from ethical philosophers who opine that gene manipulation is tantamount to playing God.
From the above insight into genetic engineering, it is evident that genetic engineering has both pros and cons. The disadvantages of the technology include gene eradication and the possibility for allergic illnesses. On the other hand, the advantages of gene insertion and replication comprise food sustainability, superior medical drugs, tastier food, disease-resistant organisms, and long-lasting post-harvest crops. Clearly, genetic engineering is an excellent technology that can better human life rather than destroy it.
References
Buchanan, B.B. (2001, May). Genetic engineering and the allergy issue. Plant Physiology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.126.1.5
Bull, J.J., Smithson, M.W., Nuismer, S. (2018, January). Transmissible viral vaccines. pp. 6-15. Trends in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2017.09.007
Chen M.F., Collinge, D.B., Y., Michael, F., & Lyngkjжr, M. F., & Collinge, D. B. (2012). Future prospects for genetically engineering disease resistance plants. Chapter 13. Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40,
1871‐Frederiksberg C, Denmark. Retrieved from /ppvir/research/nova/Chen.pdf
Cheung, A.K. & Kupper, H. (2013, April 13). Biotechnological approach to a new foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1080/02648725.1984.10647787 pp.223-260
Datta, A. (2013, November 1). Genetic engineering for improving quality and productivity of crops. Agriculture & Food Security20132:15.  HYPERLINK "https://doi.org/10.1186/2048-7010-2-15" \t "_b...