1. Impact of genetic engineering on the world
1.1. Individual
1.1.1. A person is born with severe autism, with CRISPR-Cas9, a scientist can simply enter a few codes into a computer, which can then remove precise parts of that person’s DNA and replacing them with “healthy” DNA sequences. Once the operation is complete, the patient wakes up completely fine with no disease whatsoever.
1.2. Society
1.2.1. According to medlineplus.gov, it states that genetic engineering can provide more nutritious/tastier food, less use of pesticides, increased food supply, and faster-growing plants and animals.
2. Line drawing in ethics
2.1. Designer babies:
2.1.1. The couple could undergo in vitro fertilization and have their “babies” genetically tested while still in a laboratory dish. Using a technology called pre-implantation genetic testing, the couple could pick the baby that had not inherited the disease.
2.2. Current policies
2.2.1. The Americans approve of using reproductive genetic tests to prevent fatal disease but do not approve to identify or select for traits like intelligence or strength.
2.3. Availability
2.3.1. Cost isn’t the only barrier. Reproductive technology is less acceptable to certain groups of people where the technology is being seen as infertile carries a stigma.
3. Pros & Cons of DNA databases
3.1. Definition:
3.1.1. A DNA database is a stored set of genetic profiles that can be used for a variety of needs. Such as analyzing genetic diseases and criminal investigation.
3.2. Pros:
3.2.1. DNA databases can reduce crime rates, catch criminals and be used for genetic studies to improve the lives of people.
3.3. Cons:
3.3.1. DNA databases could be hacked/made public and then used against specific individuals. Also, the database is not always correct due to human error.
4. Hopes and Concerns
4.1. Hopes
4.1.1. Genetic engineering can be used to cure diseases, increase our lifespan, produce better foods, and improve the human race in general.
4.2. Concerns
4.2.1. According to futurity.org, it says that scientists may violate various ethical protocols (transparency in research) and the CRISPR-cas9 editing procedure has not been proven safe. Also, intervention is not medically necessary as people living with certain diseases are still able to live a full and productive life.
5. Citations
5.1. 1. Genetic engineering | Definition, Process, & Uses. (2019). Retrieved 11 February 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/science/genetic-engineering 2. Genetic Engineering | Environmental Health Sciences Center | Oregon State University . (2020). Retrieved 11 February 2020, from https://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/genetic-engineering 3. Foods, G. (2020). Genetically engineered foods: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 February 2020, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/0024 4. Beyer-NYU, R. (2019). Is it ethical to genetically engineer people? - Futurity. Retrieved 11 February 2020, from https://www.futurity.org/genetic-engineering-ethics-2007972/ 5. Hercher, L. (2020). Designer babies aren’t futuristic. They’re already here. Retrieved 11 February 2020, from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612258/are-we-designing-inequality-into-our-genes/ 6. Chief, E. (2020). 11 Significant DNA Database Pros and Cons. Retrieved 11 February 2020, from https://vittana.org/11-significant-dna-database-pros-and-cons 7. Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering - Conserve Energy Future. (2015). Retrieved 15 February 2020, from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-genetic-engineering.php 8. Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms | NHGRI. (2020). Retrieved 15 February 2020, from https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary 9. Recombinant DNA Technology - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (2020). Retrieved 15 February 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/recombinant-dna-technology 10. Definition of gene-splicing | Dictionary.com. (2020). Retrieved 15 February 2020, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gene-splicing
6. Genetic engineering
6.1. Definition:
6.1.1. Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA to modify organisms through artificial methods.
6.2. Examples:
6.2.1. Genetic engineering techniques include CRISPR, gene manipulation, recombinant DNA technology, gene splicing,.....etc.
6.3. Purpose:
6.3.1. Through recombinant DNA techniques, bacteria are now capable of synthesizing human insulin, growth hormone, alpha-interferon, and other medically useful substances. Plants can be genetically engineered to fix nitrogen, and genetic diseases could be removed by replacing abnormal genes with normal genes.
6.4. Examples
6.4.1. CRISPR technology is a useful tool for editing genomes. It allows researchers to easily change DNA sequences and modify gene function. It can be used to correct genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases and improving crops.
6.4.2. CAR T-cell therapy uses a patient's own immune system cells to attack cancer cells. CAR T-cells are made by removing a specific set of cells from the blood and modifying them in a lab to enhance the immune system's natural response and re-injecting them into the patient.
6.4.3. Recombinant DNA is when 2 different DNA molecules from two different species join together and then inserted into a host organism to produce new genetic combination.
6.4.4. Gene splicing is when the DNA of an organism is cut and another gene from another organism is inserted.
7. Personal Opinion
7.1. THE LINE
7.1.1. I agree with the Americans to use genetic engineering to remove or cure fatal diseases, but do not approve to identify or select for traits like intelligence or strength. If people were approved to identify or select traits, there would be discrimination and inequality. In the movie "Gattaca","in-valid" are people born naturally and "valid" are people genetically engineered from birth, proving that if people were approved to identify or select traits, there would be discrimination and inequality.
7.2. DNA Database
7.2.1. I approve the use of the DNA database as it can be used to catch criminals (therefore reduce crime rate) and be used for genetic studies to improve the lives of people. But most importantly, I hope that the DNA database could be used to eventually cure all fatal diseases including cancer.
7.3. Availability
7.3.1. Availability is still an issue due to the amount of money it requires to access genetic engineering technology and the technology is less acceptable to certain groups of people where the technology is being seen as infertile. Therefore, I think there should be a policy to only allow people with fatal diseases and disorders to access this technology.
7.4. Gattaca
7.4.1. In the movie "Gattaca", the society Vincent lives in is filled with discrimination. People are discriminated against their genetic code, genetically engineered individuals are known as elites, while naturally born individuals are treated as inferiors. Therefore, I oppose the idea of people selecting traits such as intellegence, eye sight, height....etc.
8. DNA
8.1. Definition
8.1.1. DNA carries genetic instructions in all living organisms. The DNA molecule is made out of two strands known as a double helix. The double helix are held together by bonds between the bases; adenine bonds with thymine, and cytosine bonds with guanine. The bases and backbone are responsible for assembling protein and RNA molecules.
8.2. Editing
8.2.1. DNA manipulation involves adding new DNA or "turning off" genetic sequences in an organism. (Look at genetic engineering-> examples for examples)