With the help of biotechnology techniques like gene editing or transfer and cloning, genetic engineering aims at deliberately modifying the genetic information contained within an organism’s cells. The purpose here is to harness specific traits or properties of interest by manipulating the genetic code. This technology holds transformative potential for improving outcomes in many areas, including medical science, the agricultural sector, and environmental conservation efforts. Yet critical reflections on social ramifications and ethics remain undeniable. As science continues to advance technologically, there has been a marked improvement in the ability to manipulate genes effectively. Discoveries such as CRISPR-Cas9 have facilitated rapid-paced research while providing novel opportunities for exploration. Though this progress holds immense potential for improving life quality for individuals and society, it does bear an equal chance of causing harm.
The transforming power of genetic engineering lies in its capacity to generate new life forms with sought-after characteristics that have practical uses in fields such as healthcare and agriculture. Gene editing has potential applications in correcting genetic disorders and preventing illnesses, while genetically modified crops offer agricultural benefits by producing higher yields and being resistant to pests or diseases (Karavolias et al., 2021). However, extensive research is needed regarding the moral implications surrounding this technology. Genetic engineering holds immense potential for misuse, including selective breeding and creating GMOs without proper environmental analysis; hence, an extensive examination of this technology’s application is necessary
Evolution of Genetic Engineering
Technology and molecular biology developments have pushed genetic engineering standards forward over the last several decades. Researchers couldn’t manipulate genes until the 1970s when recombinant DNA technology was created. This metamorphosis prompted research into genetically altered microbes and other life forms (Hanneman et al., 2021). In the late 1990s, transgenic animals and plants opened up new possibilities for genome implants, including medicinal uses like human insulin, which was approved for use in 1982. Genetic engineering helps make therapeutic proteins and vaccines. In the early 2010s, CRISPR-Cas9 technology gave scientists remarkable precision and efficiency when modifying genes. CRISPR-Cas9 has shown promise for human gene therapy by fixing animal models’ genetic abnormalities and preventing illnesses. Gene-engineered units spread a unique genetic trait over a whole population, regardless of adverse effects. This idea might control disease-spreading mosquitoes like malaria carriers.
Examples Of Breakthroughs And Advancements
CRISPR-Cas9 technology revolutionized genetic engineering. Scientists may now accurately modify genes using this method. In animal models, CRISPR-Cas9 has corrected congenital abnormalities and prevented sickness. With this technology, scientists can change DNA and create creatures with desired properties, which might revolutionize medicine and agriculture. Transgenic animals and plants have advanced genetic engineering. Inserting foreign DNA into an animal’s genome creates a transgenic animal with new or improved features. Transgenic mice are used to investigate human illnesses and test treatments. Unique DNA is inserted into transgenic plants to make them pest-resistant, disease-resistant, or more nutritious. Gene therapy is another genetic engineering advance. Gene therapy delivers genetic material to cells or tissues to cure congenital abnormalities or illnesses. Cystic fibrosis and haemophilia have responded well to this medication. Gene therapy might heal many ailments. However, ethical and social issues regarding modifying human DNA are raised.
Benefits of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering aids agriculture and healthcare. Genetically engineered crops withstand pests, disease, and environmental challenges. It enhanced food security, pesticide usage, and productivity. Bt cotton carries a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis that creates a protein harmful to insect pests. Bt cotton reduces pesticide use and boosts farmer yields. Genetic engineering has enhanced agricultural characteristics and nutrition. “Golden rice,” a genetically altered type of rice, has more beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A. It might minimize vitamin A deficiency, a critical public health issue in underdeveloped nations. Genetic engineering has produced therapeutic proteins and gene treatments for hereditary illnesses. GM microorganisms produce human insulin. Before this method, insulin was expensively extracted from the animal pancreas and was sometimes impure. Genetically engineered bacteria can manufacture pure, inexpensive insulin for diabetics. SCID gene treatments are another example. The rare genetic condition SCID weakens the immune system and may kill infants. SCID gene therapy inserts a working gene into the patient’s cells. Several clinical investigations showed enhanced immune function in SCID patients.
Utilizing Genetic Engineering in the Prevention of Emerging Infectious Diseases
Preventing emerging infectious diseases represents a significant challenge in healthcare. Genetic engineering offers exciting possibilities as it allows for producing vaccines that target specific viruses or bacteria genes or proteins. The advantage of utilizing this technology lies in its capacity to generate novel vaccines with increased safety profiles and higher efficacy rates than conventional types. Pfizer and Moderna’s recent mRNA vaccine designed for COVID-19 showcases how genetically engineered components within the body trigger an immune response against the pathogen. Highly effective and safe clinical outcomes resulted from vaccine testing produced by researchers. Scientists utilize genetic engineering to generate better treatment options as an alternative method for tackling infectious diseases. Creating genetically-engineered antibodies designed to eradicate the Ebola virus is one example that could potentially save many patients’ lives.
Moreover, with advancements in this field, new strategies like CRISPR-based diagnostics are at our disposal —this opens doors towards faster detection rates of COVID-19 cases. The genetic engineering technique develops a system to identify and eliminate targeted genetic sequences of viruses in the patient sample. In this way, it allows for accurate and prompt diagnosis.
Abuses of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering offers an array of possibilities that could revolutionize society; however, it must be handled cautiously; otherwise, the consequences will outweigh any perceived benefits. One potentially harmful pathway is creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that are issued into the environment untested for safety protocols. Such GMOs may introduce unintended harm, causing both social and ecological consequences with long-lasting impacts, including irreversible losses in species diversity due to their deployment patterns regarding unexpected side-effects on ecosystems around them. An illustrative example would be how some countries dealing with malaria have approached this issue by generating GM mosquitoes yet raising apprehensions about possible secondary effects in local ecologies. Misusing genetic engineering technology can be exemplified by creating “designer babies.” This procedure involves manipulating the embryos’ genes using gene-editing techniques so that offsprings possess predetermined characteristics such as superhuman physical abilities, intellect, and beauty. Societal and ethical issues arise from attempting to build a society with superhumans who may dominate those less fortunate or unable because they lack specific genetically heritable attributes.
Genetic engineering has tremendous potential to improve numerous aspects of life; however, it is accompanied by specific hazards that cannot be overlooked. Among such dangers is the threat of bioterrorism and biological warfare, whereby modified viruses or bacterial strains can threaten human health and crop growth. The aftermaths could lead to dire repercussions globally that give rise to alarm. Another considerable danger lies in genetic discrimination: people’s genetic makeup has been utilized against them regarding employment opportunities or insurance policies based on possible susceptibility to certain illnesses (Hosseini-Shokouh et al., 2021). Responsible and ethical use of gene engineering necessitates regulating and monitoring its application to avert potential abuses, emphasizing the importance of establishing effective governance frameworks.
Socioeconomic and Political Impacts of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering in healthcare and reproduction has many good and bad socioeconomic effects. Genetic engineering improves illness therapy. Hospitalizations, healthcare expenses, and quality of life may improve. Genetic engineering increases agricultural yields, improving food security and economic prosperity. Genetic engineering may worsen and generate new inequities (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine et al., 2016). Genetic therapies are expensive and may only be offered to the wealthy.
Moreover, Genetically modified crops may also boost industrial concentration, hurting small farmers and rural communities. Genetic engineering in healthcare and reproduction has enormous political effects. Genetic engineering regulation is complicated. Governments must weigh genetic engineering’s ethical and social risks and rewards. Due to ethical considerations, several governments restrict reproductive gene editing. Politically, genetic engineering may be employed for good or evil. Genetic engineering may help governments improve public health or agriculture. Genetic engineering may be utilized for evil, such as bioweapons or selective breeding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, genetic engineering has advanced dramatically in recent decades and has the potential to assist agriculture, healthcare, and disease prevention. This technology’s potential misuse and economic and political effects are additional issues. Genetic engineering may improve illness treatments, crop production, and disease prevention. However, genetic engineering might increase inequities and be utilized for political or criminal goals. I believe genetic engineering may improve human health and well-being if used ethically. Governments and regulators must ensure that genetic engineering benefits society and does not discriminate against marginalized groups. Future genetic engineering should address ethics. For instance, gene editing for reproduction, GMOs, and genetic discrimination must be handled.
References
Hanneman, M., Suza, W., Lee, D., & Hain, P. (2021, November 25). 1.11: Recombinant DNA Technology. Biology LibreTexts. https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Genetics/Genetics_Agriculture_and_Biotechnology_(Suza_and_Lee)/01%3A_Chapters/1.11%3A_Recombinant_DNA_Technology
Hosseini-Shokouh, S.-J., Sheikhi, R., Mohammad, S., Hosseini, R., & Moradimajd, P. (2021). The biological weapons threats and coping strategies for health promotion. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_717_20
Karavolias, N. G., Horner, W., Abugu, M. N., & Evanega, S. N. (2021). Application of Gene Editing for Climate Change in Agriculture. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.685801
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, & Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops: Past Experience and Future Prospects. (2016, May 17). Social and Economic Effects of Genetically Engineered Crops. Nih.gov; National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424536/
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