Genetically engineering humans or Genetic modification has been an area of great debate since it is not only a powerful tool but can be a dangerous one at that. There are effects that can be adverse by altering the DNA of a living organism. Before advances in genetic applications, gene therapy was never heard of by the public. Genetically engineering humans is a highly controversial subject since lot of people believe it is playing God. There is a history of discovery to which genetic engineering has contributed. Genetic human engineering is controversial due to multiple pros and cons. After the first gene therapy, Crispr in 2015, the applications were endless and could help people who were disabled to be able live a normal life. Diseases that are passed down in the family through genetics could eliminate those bad genes. Genetic engineering could also be a significant help to the biotechnology community.
Eliminating hunger is an application that has positive future effects in the world. Society knows that altering genes can be unpredictable. Reception of genetic engineering has ranged from bad to good. ( https://greengarageblog.org/7-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-genetic-egineering) Some in the government say that genetic engineering or “genetic modification” can be used to create a weapon with biological deadly force. Some say that genetic modification can create a powerful man or woman with incredible strengths and mental capacity that would otherwise not be possible. Genesis 6:4 says, “The giants were in the earth in those days, and even afterwards when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore to them – they were heroes which existed from ancient times, the men of renown. “(The Interlinear Bible) (Ref: 2017-12-20:2018-07-30 Disabled World: disabled-world.com.) Preventing diseases is a positive affect but genetic modification can also open the problem of an ecological mess. We will have to just wait to see how genetically engineered humans and genetic modification will help or hinder the future when these applications are put into place. The Bible says in Psalms 127:3-5 behold; children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (https://www.openbible.info/topics/genetic_testing)
When we look at the subject of genetically engineered humans we understand that this has been around for a while with “Francis Bacon talking about genetic engineering and terminator technology in 1627. In 1865 a man named Gregor Mendel talked about his breeding of peas which is what people say was the foundation of modern genetics. In 1953 James Watson and Francis Crick used artificial human insemination for the first time. The 1980’s brought about genetic fingerprinting. The early 2000’s were the beginning of the Human Genome project and Craig Venter completed the first draft of human genome” ( http://www.sciencegroup.org.uk/ifgene/history.htm) “Treatment of heart muscle blood supply using the vascular endothelial growth factor gene” by Jeffery Isner and his colleagues at Tufts University, Boston ( http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4056330,00.html) The 2000’s also saw the first human embryo cloned. Advanced Cell Technology USA used somatic adult cell nuclear transfer to create a clone which was successful for a limited time before dying. So, genetic engineering has been around for long time developing from simple tests to major experiments. The major human genetic engineering kicked off in 2015 with the first gene therapy Crispr.
The side effects of genetically engineering humans can range from newly introduced genes acting differently with a new host and term effects could be unpredictable. Genetically engineering humans can also harm humans. Some of the negative effects of genetic engineering can be that once the genetic engineering process has started it cannot be stopped, and changes could make organisms toxic to humans. “antibiotic resistance is one of those negative effects in being genes are used for antibiotic resistance called selectable markers which help select cells to take up foreign genes “Charles Hagedorn states the presence of antibiotics-resistance genes in foods could have two harmful effects, “first eating these foods could reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics to fight diseases when these antibiotics are taken with meals, ie: if a raw tomatoes with an antibiotic-resistance gene is eaten at the same time as an antibiotic, it could potentially destroy the antibiotic in the stomach. 2nd, the resistance genes could be transferred to human or animal pathogens, making them impervious to antibiotics. If transfer were to occur, it could aggravate the already serious health problem of antibiotic-resistant disease organism.” (https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu Charles Hagedorn Professor and Biotechnology Specialist) “There are some good and positive effects to genetic engineering such as slowing down the aging process or eliminating hunger. Genetic engineering can also aid in getting rid of disease and cancer. Helping to reinforce bone structure so people with disabilities can walk is another positive effect.” (2017-12-20: Rev. 2018-07-30 Disabled World: disabled-world.com) Disabled people could live a normal life. Also, disease that are passed down in the family through genetics could eliminate those bad genes. Some other good effects of genetic engineering is if parents choose to they could decide the special characteristics of their child before the child is even born, they could choose eye color, hair color, skin color, and among other benefits eliminate any disabilities that are detected in genes before birth to remove those genes.
The debate of genetically engineering humans and genetic engineering in general has some good debates some of those debates are that also genetic engineering can present the possibilities of being devised and used as “A new destructive tool for terrorists abroad and on U.S soil. Biological weapons could be advanced through the scientific research and could create weapons that may cause death and destruction.” (2017-12-20: Rev. 2018-07-30 Disabled World: disabled-world.com) Genetic modification could also present a problem with ecology and create an unparalleled virus or bacteria, which could result in an epidemic that could hypothetically wipe out the whole world. “Some people say that genetically engineering humans is meddling with something that is beyond our grasp and the consensus with some people is that we are playing God and that we are not meant to play God and try to create life in the way we wish it to be.” ( https://www.debate.org/opinions/is-human-genetic-engineering-ethical) “We are all formed in our mothers womb just as he wants us to be. (ps 139:13) For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. “Isaiah 44:24- Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spredeth abroad the earth by myself” (https://biblehub.com/psalms/127-4.htm) Some of society says leave it God. I believe most society is in favor for genetically engineering humans because of the capability to cure or prevent diseases and give the disabled a life by increasing bone mass and preventing the disability or disease before birth.
The treatment capabilities of genetically engineering humans includes helping people who are disabled to live a normal life. Also, through genetic engineering, people who have AIDS or Cancer would be able to maintain their life styles. In the future it is possible that people would not have to worry about contracting deadly diseases or even inheriting diseases that are usually passed down through genetics. When it comes to fighting diseases, we can increase the health of todays society. “The different diseases that can be eliminated through genetic engineering are cystic fibrosis, even the famous “Bubble Boy” disease, diabetes and more. (2017-12-20: Rev. 2018-07-30 Disabled World: disabled-world.com) With cystic fibrosis being a disease that destroys peoples lives genetic engineering can save a lot of people from pain and being immobile. Cystic fibrosis is the leading cause of death for Caucasian Americans. “It is said that genetic engineering can possibly increase the life expectancy to 120 years old” (https://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2011) The pediatric community is looking at genetic engineering to help kids with diseases. “With doctors reviewing electronic patient charts for clinical, neuroimaging, biochemical, and molecular genetic features. DNA samples were used for targeted direct sequencing, targeted next-generation sequencing, or whole exome sequencing”. (Dawn Cordeiro, Garrett Bullivant, Komudi Siriwardena, Andrea Evans, Jeff Kobayashi, Ronald D. Cohn, Saadet Mercimek-Andrews Neurol Genet Oct 2018, 4 (5) e265) “The result of Pediatric Genetic Movement Disorder Clinic included pediatric patients with ataxia, 7 patients with chorea-athetosis, 8 patients had severe tremors and 7 patients had hyperkinetic movements. Targeted next-generation sequencing panels confirmed a genetic diagnosis in 9 of the pediatric patients. This pediatric study in their conclusion on Pediatric genetic engineering stated that early diagnosis is important and the earlier the diagnosis the better.” Dawn Cordeiro, Garrett Bullivant, Komudi Siriwardena, Andrea Evans, Jeff Kobayashi, Ronald D. Cohn, Saadet Mercimek-AndrewsNeurol Genet Oct 2018, 4 (5) e265; DOI:
In conclusion, the aspects of genetically engineering humans, has endless possibilities that range from slowing down the aging process, to eliminating hunger, aiding in ridding (diseases including, and helping to reinforce bone structure so people with disabilities can walk. Genetic engineering can also open the door for dangers that come with this kind of science. Once genetic engineering begins it can not stop. Genetic engineering also presents the possibilities of being devised and used as, “A new destructive tool for terrorists abroad and on U.S soil. Biological weapons could be advanced through the scientific research and could create weapons that might cause death and destruction”. (2017-12-20: Rev. 2018-07-30 Disabled World: disabled-world) Changing the structure of genes and the hosts can be a very unpredictable journey. The debate could continue long into the future, with society not being so sure if it is safe to start genetically engineering genes or hosts. (Zaret, Anna. “Editing Embryos: Considering Restrictions on Genetically Engineering Humans.) (Hastings Law Journal, vol 67, no. 6, 2016, pp. 1805.) Genetic modification could also be a problem with ecology and create an unparalleled virus or bacteria, which could result in an epidemic that could hypothetically wipe out the world. We must be cautious with genetically engineering humans or doing any gene modification. We will have to wait further into the future to see when and if these applications are brought to reality. “Leviticus 19:19 “You shall keep my statues. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with different kinds of seeds, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of materials”. (https://www.openbible.info
