Genetic Engineering Pros and Cons: College Essay Tips

Do you know what is meant by genetic engineering? Genetic engineering is a process that has allowed scientists to alter the structures of genes in organisms.

However, the first-ever genetic manipulation was made in 1972 by Paul Berg when he combined the DNA obtained from the monkey virus with the lambda virus. Therefore, genetic engineering has becotoday’sntroversial topic in today’s world.

The increasing advancement in this field has the potential to savThat’slives of many beings. That’s why careful discussion regarding the pros and cons is important before we move forward in this article.

Table of Contents

Pros of Genetic Engineering

Below are the listed pros of genetic engineering. After that, we will have a look at the cons of genetic engineering.

Helps in fighting against diseases
Brings a decrease in the use of pesticides
Development in growth rates of plants and animals
Increase the expected life span
More variety of foods and drinks

1. Helps in Fighting Against Diseases

There are many diseases that one woulddon’tbe able to fight if we don’t use genetic engineering. By just small manipulation of genes, one can easily fight against deadly diseases spread nowadays. Even it is possible that in the case of unborn babies, they may have detected genetic diseases.

The most common example of these kinds of diseases is Down syndrome. If we make advancements in the field of genetic engineering, then we can cure all the harmful diseases even those detected in unborn children also.

2. Lessened the use of Pesticides

If we bring modification in genetics in such a way that they become resistant against pests, then it would lessen the overuse of chemical pesticides. In this way, genetic engineering may bring a reduction in the use of pesticides.

3. Better Variety of Foods and Drinks

With the help of genetic engineering, we could increase the variety of foods and drinks for our daily consumption. It could also help to improve the yield of crops since we create such plants that are resistant to harmful pests.

Crops such as tomatoes, soya beans, rice, and potatoes are going through genetic engineering that provides better quality nutrients and also improves yields.

An important example of such crops is golden rice which produces a high level of vitamin A. If we supply this product to other regions of the world, we can live a happy and prosperous life. The use of Vitamin A also helps to cure blindness. Providing others such food will also enable us to fight famine effectively.

4. Development in Growth Rates of Plants and Animals

By genetic engineering, could also increase the speed of growth of plants and animals. In this way, we would be able to more food in a given amount of time. Development in growth rates of plants is significant since our world population is gradually growing and therefore, demand for consumption of food is also increasing.

5. Increase in an Expected Life Span of Organisms

As it helps to fight against deadly diseases, the overall expected life span of people is also improved due to decreased risks of deaths. Especially in developing countries, many people die just because of some diseases.

If we bring development in the case of genetically modified plants for medical use, then this one measure would be a great initiative.

This is how we can increase the quality and prolong the expected lifespan of people.

Cons of Genetic Engineering

Just like many pros, geneticLet’sneering also has cons. Let’s have a look at a few of them.

Reduced nutritional values in food
Use for abusive means
Impact other species
Creation of new diseases
Effects on wildlife and certain industries

1. Creation of New Disease by Genetic Engineering

When we treat the genetic conditions, then there is always a possibility that the expected outcome might not occur. Most of the modern approaches in this field have produced the best temporary benefits.

Then it may give rise to new diseases. Influenza is known because of its ability to how it infects people. So, our efforts to get rid of old diseases also bring new diseases.

2. Impact Other Species

If genetically modified plants show resistance against harmful pests, then they will displace local natural species. This also contributes to bringing a reduction in a variety of genetics. Moreover, it causes issues related to the displacement of native species.

3. Effects on Wildlife

As genetically modified plants contain pesticides, they can be harmful to animals that consume such plants. Most of the animals suffer from various diseases because of these plants and also die.

However, this is a severe problem, especially for butterflies and other insects that rely on genetically modified plants present nearby. If such genetically altered plants replace natural plants, then insects may undergo many deadly diseases.

4. Influence on Certain Industries

Genetic engineering is an expensive field. But there is no doubt that it is an area which can be beneficial for some firms. Many big companies are available which have control over the seed market and also directly affect political decisions regarding the admission of genetically modified plants for agricultural use.

But still, companies own the permission to sell genetically modified seeds although it impacts political decision-makers.

5. Use for Abusive Means

Most of us look at the process of genetic engineering as a way to save the lives of many people, but it can also affect them badly if not appropriately used. Thus, using corrective tools to repair the human chromosome may increase the potential of human life.

The problem is that using the same tools affects natural sequences about how a child looks such as hair or eye colour.

One can also improve the intelligence of an individual through this process.

6. Less Nutritional Values in Foods

When we bring new products in the market developed through this process, and then there is a chance that these products have less nutritional value as compared to natural products. Broilers from the chicken industry are a prominent example of this.

Conclusion

These are the most cited pros and cons which presents us with a world where we can create more resources for food and also reduce the risk of suffering from various harmful diseases. With the process of genetic engineering, we can change the world in unpredictable ways and can create expected outcomes.

Therefore, you must give importance to each pro and cons before pursuing this process.