• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Biology Wise

Biology Wise

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Articles

Genetic Engineering Ethics

Learn some genetic engineering ethics when it comes to practices like cloning, that are in the eyes of many, immoral and a perverse attack on creation.

Home / Uncategorized / Genetic Engineering Ethics

Like it? Share it!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Genetic Engineering Ethics

Learn some genetic engineering ethics when it comes to practices like cloning, that are in the eyes of many, immoral and a perverse attack on creation.

Plants Growing In Greenhouse
Pink Hibiscus

Technology is a double-edged sword, and hence needs to be handled with responsibility. Genetic engineering is nothing but the technology by means of which genetic material is scientifically engineered to replicate the original material in a living organism be it plants, animals, or even human beings. It involves creation of recombinant DNA by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from similar or dissimilar organisms. This article speaks about some genetic engineering ethics that need to be followed during such situations.

Basics

Would you like to write for us? Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Get in touch with us and we'll talk...

Let's Work Together!

Genetic engineering has been put to use in several fields. Transgenic plants, pest-resistant plants were created, which helped to increase the quantity as well as quality of food crops, which only meant increased food supply for the needy. Scientists also found out a way to alter somatic cells and hence modify the genetic make up of people to cure certain diseases or ailments. Thus, the advancements in this field are considered to be positive developments. However, there are certain issues associated with this field that make us think whether the practices can be considered as valid and harmless on an ethical scale.

Plants

This field helps to create transgenic plants, which are nothing but a cross of different species of plants. Often, these sort of medications are carried out in order to improve the quantity and the quality if the yield. However, the creation of genetically-engineered plants means the creation of a different species of plants altogether. In addition to this, several questions have also been raised about their ill effects.

First and foremost it has been observed that such plants, which were made pest-resistant, also created damage to several other insects. Hence, while creating insect-resistant plant varieties, care should be taken that it doesn’t drive the entire species of that insect or other insects towards extinction. Also, there exists a possibility that insects can develop resistance to that pesticide element in the plant and hence pose increased danger.

The biggest ethical issue in this field is about the concern over creating living creatures out of genetic material. Human cloning or even crossing animal and human genes to create living creatures will lead to the emergence of a different type of creatures. There can be several unethical things that can happen, like creation of living organisms and using them as labor or slaves. Thus, care has to be taken about who could use these technological advances, and what are the unethical threats, which need to be prevented.

Besides this, one major ethical issue that a majority of people have cited in this reference is that the use of genetic engineering for creation of life forms is similar to ‘playing God’ and taking control of creation and destruction of life on earth. While on one hand, the ability of this field to cure diseases and health conditions is a great benefit, the possibilities of its misuse are plenty.

Any new technology has its set of advantages and disadvantages. However, you cannot proscribe a beneficial technology because of the possible misuse. Saying no to the advancements on this subject would be like refusing to log on to the Internet because you are afraid your email account might get hacked. The simple solution is to use the technology with great caution. Technology is never inherently good or bad; it is the intentions of the people who use it.

Pink Azalea Flowers In Bloom
Blooming Black Petunia Flower

Related Posts

  • Benefits of Genetic Engineering

    Genetic engineering process manipulates the DNA sequence to create a new one. The write-up focuses on the various benefits of genetic engineering.

  • Human Cloning Process

    Of late, there has been great debate over the process of human cloning. Whether it is ethical or unethical, genetic cloning is always seen as the greatest challenge in genetic…

  • Steps of Photosynthesis

    Read on to know more about the steps of photosynthesis, one of nature's most fascinating occurrence...

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Category iconUncategorized

Get Updates Right to Your Inbox

Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox.
Blog Updates

Exploring the website?

Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there!

Footer

We hope you are enjoying Biologywise! Learn about the different types of biology degrees, schools, and jobs available for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Botany, Ecology & Environmental Studies, Forensic Biology, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Physiology, Zoology and Wildlife Biology, and more.
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Copyright © Biology Wise & Buzzle.com, Inc.
6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT