Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering
Introduction
In order to understand the subject let us first define
Gene. A
gene is a unit of
heredity in a living
organism. In simple term it is the factor that control traits of organisms. So, Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering could mean altering an organism’s normal trait.
Contents
According to a recent development on medicine Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering can help enhance our health. It can permanently cure diabetes, heart illnesses, and even mental disorders. Whatever you want to do to your body is possible. If you want to change the color of your eyes, you can do so. Change your skin tone, suit yourself. You can mix and match your looks because you can alter your genes and do as you please.
People will not need any vitamins or they may not healthy foods such as vegetables and fruit because we can engineer our body to make those essential substances. Through genetic engineering, we can alter our bodies to fit our environments and fit our modern societies.
Those examples, I think are somewhat acceptable but another breakthrough according to an article that I read is that we can also alter our behavioral characteristics.
Men are normally tough and women are normally compassionate. Genetic Engineering may change a man’s toughness to a woman’s compassionateness or vice versa. I think for this issue many issues will be resolved if men would feel and understand as a women does because we must accept the fact that women solves problems by thinking things through first before acting and men on the other hand acts first before seeing all the possible solutions. This is the natural behavior of men and women and Genetic Engineering says that we can actually change this.
Advantages
One of the primary advantages of Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering is the health benefit. Imagine curing diabetes and heart illnesses. How many lives will be saved and pockets will not be empty because of the immediate and permanent cure for those health problems. Another one is we can prevent future illnesses. We can eat whatever and as many as we can without thinking the consequences.
Disadvantages
As I see it very disadvantage of Genetic Engineering is that it will make people less responsible for their body. Since they will not need anything to stay healthy because their genes are doing it for them, people may tend to abuse their body. Another one is the ethical issue. I believe that humans are human because they have limitations. Practicing Genetic Engineering is breaching those limitations. Our genes are from our parents; our parents got it from their parents and so on, so by altering it somewhat cutting the legacy of our family. I can’t imagine a family having very different traits and looks.
Recommendation
At this generation, I think we still don’t need those breakthroughs. Our environment is still adaptable and we don’t yet need the help of Genetic Engineering. Since we are dealing with altering our internal structure and the nature of our body, we should study the subject carefully and because by the time that we are ready to practice this, there is no room for mistakes. It could immediately cure or immediately kill a person. We should give it some more time for assessment even though many will grab this advancement easily because of the benefits, we must think about it thoroughly because the pros equal the cons.
