9 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering is the scientific practice of manipulating the genes of a living organism. It is most commonly used in crops, but also has useful applications in humans, animals, and other organisms. This can be done by altering the structure of the DNA using molecular cloning and other methods. Great benefits are reaped, especially when applied into the world’s crops. However, genetic engineering certainly has some risks that have been raising eyebrows of critics around the world. In order to better understand the effects of genetic engineering in all types of organisms you have to examine both the good and bad things that it offers.
Advantages of Genetic Engineering
1. Better Harvests
When used in crops, genetic engineering can create crops that are pest and disease resistant. This is great because the amount of harvest that would normally be lost can be saved, increasing the harvest. They are also designed to be able to grow faster, and in more harsh climates.
2. Longer Shelf Life
Another thing that genetic engineering accomplishes is giving plants, fruits, and vegetables a much longer shelf life. They retain their nutrients for longer and stay fresh for extended periods of time. This helps to reduce the amount of food waste.
3. Boosts Nutrition
The crops that have been genetically engineered to have higher levels of nutrition. The vitamin levels are boosted and some even have additional vitamins, such as golden rice, that they do not naturally contain.
4. Most Desirable Traits Guaranteed
When used in humans or animals, genetic engineering can identify the most desirable and sought after traits. Once they identify them, they can manipulate the genes of other animals or humans to ensure these traits are given to them.
5. Eliminate Diseases
Another greatly beneficial use for genetic engineering is when it comes to genetic diseases. If the exact gene that is causing the problem can be correctly identified then it would be plausible to remove it from the DNA and possibly even eradicate it from the gene pool all together.
Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering
1. Development of New Issues
When you begin to alter and change the genes a person, the ones that they are naturally born with, you run the risk of these genes overly mutating. Once this happens, entirely new illnesses and disease could show up in the race, ones that we are not yet equipped to handle or treat.
2. Reduce Diversity
If we begin to pick and choose the traits that we want people to have, then the undesirable or abnormal traits would be eliminated. The diversity of the population, whether it be in humans or animals, would be highly limited.
3. Playing God
One of the biggest problems when it comes to genetic engineering are the ethical ones. Many people, particularly religious sects, have a large issue with the DNA of humans or animals being altered by man. They feel as though there are certain bounds that should not be crossed and genetic engineering crosses them.
4. Effects Are Unknown
Genetic engineering in general, whether it comes to plants, animals, or humans, has not been studied for long amounts of time because it is a fairly new practice. The true effects of consuming genetically engineered foods and meat cannot be known for many years, and many scientists warn that the outcome will be less than desirable.
