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Genetic Engineering is the alteration of genetic material by intervention in genetic processes. Geneticists, the scientists that specialize in gene therapy, are working very diligently to map out the suspected 100, 000 to 150, 000 genes that make up the human body. They plan to have it complete by 2005 (Boukhari 1). With this map of the charted genes Jeff Kunerth, writer for the Orlando Sentinel says, It is one of the many scientific advances that literally will redefine life in the next millennium, (Kunerth 1). Geneticists should continue their studies in genetic engineering because of the possible health benefits it will have. Wouldnt it be great for soon to be parents to not have to worry about thier child coming out deformed, or with a genetic disease that have been passed down?
Or not having to worry about diseases that occur later on in life as a result of a missing gene? Or how would you like to create your own child from scratch? We are promised to be on the verge of a new era in medicine, where serious diseases will be cured by patching the flaws in our intricate genetic engines says Jeff Elliott, a respected writer (Mahoney 33). This could all be possible because of genetic engineering.
Geneticists will be able to cure babies from diseases even before they are born. They plan to start by treating severe childhood diseases like Cystic Fibrosis (Silver 2). They will be able to do this because when a parent can not produce a defect-free embryo gene therapy will be able to correct it by adding the missing components or the embryo can just be discarded for a newer healthier one that doesnt have any deformities (Kunerth 2). Doctors will soon be able to inject the genes into the embryos that makes people naturally resistant to certain kinds of cancers and / or HIV infections.
They also plan to find the gene that cases people to be object and even alcoholics (Silver 2). There is a one in eighty-seven chance that a baby may contain a chromosomal abnormality (Kunerth 1). The parents will have the difficult choice to eather continue the pregnancy and risk the baby will have a disability, take the chance it will be normal, or they could even terminate the pregnancy (Kunerth 2). Now as geneticists are making out the genes they can have the options of injecting the gene (s) and having their baby come out completely normal. Because genes are a combination of the two parents it is possible that the baby wont get certain genes but now the doctors could just inject those genes (Silver 2). Scientists are hoping that by enhancing and injecting genes into the humans that the next generations will continue to have those genes without having to have them altered (Kunerth 1).
Parents will fulfill their personal expectations in respects of raising a healthy family, says David Morris, a genetic engineering specialist (Morris 60). Geneticists hope that by making out the genes they will be able to cure present diseases. Doctors have made advances using drugs to block the diseased producing cells because they have make some of the genes (Designer 3). Scientists plan to cure all types of cancers along wit 000 - 5, 000 genetic illnesses (Boukhari 1).
Researchers have already strated to inject missing genes into humans (Designer 3). By doing that they hope to cure diseases like ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) and Cystic Fibrosis. Approximately 30, 000 people suffer from Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is caused when babies arent born with a gene that enables then to excrete chloride (Lee 170). Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that causes chronic lung disease. A study was done to see what would happen if they injected the gene CFTR into the patients.
Twenty-five percent of the patients restored normal chloride transport. The others didnt suffer any further damage. Although it isnt perfect it is still a step in the right direction (Gene 1) A little over 5, 000 people are diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease each year. More people die of Lou Gehrigs disease than of Huntington's and Multiple Sclerosis (Understanding 1). The early symptoms of Lou Gehrigs disease is weakened muscles or stiffness.
The patient will soon lose the movement of the arms and legs. The final stages of it they are unable to talk swallow and even breathe. Hopefully by injecting the SOD 1 gene people will not have to suffer this horrible disease (Understanding 2). Scientists plan to eliminate genetic illnesses that way people wouldnt have to deal not only with Cystic Fibrosis and Lou Gehrigs Disease but other horrible diseases like Parkinsons, Huntington's, AIDS, Cancer, and Muscular Dystrophy (Kunerth 1). Once Geneticists have cured present diseases they will step into the second phase of genetic engineering. They hope to be able to introduce new genes into the genome.
By introducing new genes into the human body humans might be able to have enhanced vision, memory and even physical characteristics (Silver 2). Geneticists say that by the end of the century parents will be able to see a computer enhanced picture of what their kid will look like (Kunerth 2). Because they will be able to see it on computer they can profile the genes and choose the ones they want to incorporate in their child (Designer 1). Parents will be able to choose the color of their childs hair and even eye color.
They also plan to be able to enhance intelligence, aptitudes and the talents of their babies (Kunerth 2). With the advances in technology each and every day geneticists can make huge discoveries in genetic engineering. If your not taking any health risks, then its hard to criticize the goal of tring to biologically make your child better says Arthur Caplan, one of the most influential American bioethicist's (Silver 2). Scientists have already achieved permanent correction of a diseased gene in humans so why not continue researching this field (Designer 2).
Maybe we are underestimating the power that genetic engineering can have on life! Boukhari, Sophie; Other, Amy. Unchartered Terrain on Tomorrows Genetic Map, Unesco Courier, Sept. 1999, p. 18, 2 p, 1 c. Ebsco. Online. 9 Dec. 1999. Designer Babies, Anyone?
National Catholic Reporter, 22 Oct. 1999: Vol. 36 Issue 1, p. 21, 2 p. Ebsco. Online. 8 Dec. 1999. Gene Therapy Can Help Improve Cystic Fibrosis 19 March 1999, 4 January 1999: 1 - 2
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Research essay sample on Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Engineering
