Genetic Engineering

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Genetic Engineering

Introduction

The human cells or other organism have parts which are known as genes which control the chemical reaction of the cell which makes it function and grow, and eventually identify the function and growth of the organisms. The organism takes some of the genes from each of their parent, and therefore, the parents transfer certain characteristics to their children.

Genetic engineering and the gene therapy are the related technologies which alter the genetic material in organism. The difference between both is based on the purpose. The therapy of gene looks for altering genes for correcting genetics deficiencies and hence, it prevents the disease of genetics. The aim of genetic engineering is the modification of genes for enhancing the ability of the organisms ahead of what is normal. However, there is a huge controversial debate on whether to allow genetic engineering or not as it is harmful for the people.

The controversies on the ethical grounds surround the potential uses of the both technologies in animals, plants and the human beings. Mainly, one may wonder with the genetic engineering if it is appropriate to tinker with the genes of human beings for making people capable of outperforming the greatest athletes of Olympics or more intelligent than Einstein. This paper will discuss the difference of reproductive and somatic cells, the genetic selection, and the arguments against the enhancement of genetic engineering.

Confused Terminology

Genetic engineering with the intention of genetic alteration includes the gene therapy. Therefore, we hear therapeutic genetic engineering or the negative genetic engineering rather than enhancement genetic engineering or the positive genetic engineering. However, the genetic engineering is used for enhancement of the gene rather than its therapy. The term, gene therapy, is used for the efforts to enhance people capabilities beyond normalcy. However, there are so many side effects of the enhancement of genetic engineering and gene therapy as the people who are genetically engineered cannot live a normal life. They consider themselves different from the normal people and do not find themselves the part of the world (Donnellan, 2004).

Reproductive and Somatic Cells

The two basic cells are reproductive cells and somatic cells. Majority of the cells in the bodies of human beings are the somatic cells which make organs such as liver, skin, lungs, heart, etc. The somatic cells differ from each other. Change of the genetic material in the ...