Burdette 1

Hunter Burdette
Professor K. Jennings
ENG 111-13
17 December 2014

Position Paper

In recent years, our world has seen the rise of technology that was previously
unconceivable. Humanity has broken the boundaries of sky and space. We have connected the
world in a way never before seen. This truly is a golden age of technology, however, not all of
this technology is being welcomed with open arms. Perhaps the greatest technological
breakthrough to have ever been discovered is also the most fiercely debated. Genetic engineering
is a science that will allow us to change the very core of our existence. It holds infinite
possibilities for prolonging and enhancing our lives. In spite of this some people are weary to
accept this new technology due to fear of the potential consequences. Many fear that alterations
on such a core aspect of our being could have untold effects of both our physical and behavioral
traits. As with any new technology, there are risks of it being misused, however, the potential
benefits it could produce are worth it.

Scientists wish to pursue genetic research because to the many potential benefits it could
bring. One of the major aspects of this research is towards agricultural applications. Genetically
altered crops have the potential to be stronger and more nutritious than their natural forms. Their
resistance to harsh conditions will allow them to grow in areas that were once barren.

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Furthermore, these plants produce a greater crop yield than traditional plants. These benefits
could potentially eliminate world hunger. Some people fear that cross pollination between these
altered plants and natural ones in the field could have negative effects on the environment, but
the U.S. has been growing these crops for years without any proven repercussions. Genetically
altered livestock are also being produced. Theoretically, these animals will grow faster, produce
less waste, and have an increased resistance to disease. There are many potential medical
applications from these animals. This practice is criticized primarily due to concerns about the
welfare of these animals. Many attack the intrusive procedures required to facilitate the growth
of an embryo, however, scientists are constantly finding new methods that make this process
unnecessary. Some have feared that intelligent organisms, created through genetic manipulation,
would be used as servants. This fear has already been displaced by a court ruling involving the
proposed creation of a human/chimpanzee hybrid, in which the judge upheld the thirteenth
amendments proclamation that slavery is illegal.

Another major aspect of genetic research is the potential medical breakthroughs. Perhaps
the most publicized of these would be cloning. The use of cloning has many benefits. First,
scientists believe cloning could be used to resurrect extinct species such as the mammoth. It also
has potential at insuring genetic diversity within small groups of endangered species. Another
major reason of the use of cloning is the ability to generate human tissues and organs. Research
has already made significant breakthrough in the treatment of burns using cloned skin tissue.
Cloning is widely criticized because it requires the use of an embryo, many of which dont
survive the growth process. While this is an unfortunate fact, scientists believe that the number
of adult lives that this technology can save is worth the sacrifice. Furthermore, refined techniques

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of the cloning process are constantly being created to increase efficiency. Cloning, however, is
not the only medical application to come under scrutiny. Gene manipulation has become a
widely debated topic. This technique has the potential to cure diseases such as cancer and to
stimulate neuron regeneration, which would be a cure to paralysis. It can also be used to
eliminate birth defects in children. The primary concern with this technology is that it would lead
to hereditary problems in later generations, however, there has not been enough research allowed
to either prove or disprove this theory.

It is obvious that genetic research is a valuable tool for scientists. The problem is that
there arent enough regulations to ensure the proper use of these techniques. If this research is
ever to reach its full potential, there must be additional funding to monitor and regulate the
methods being used. People must also accept the fact that it will take time to fully understand
this science, but that will never happen if they shut themselves out of that option. There should
be a panel of qualified individuals on both sides of the argument to analyze the facts and
establish a precedent for future scientists to continue this important work.

The real solution to this controversy is for everyone to put aside the stigma associated
with this subject and consider the situation from a purely logical point of view. There are
methods that can be used to contain and control the theoretical effects of this research. Scientists
can make use of small test groups to document the long-term effects of these experiments and
insure that they are safe for human use. As time goes by, techniques will improve, and results
will be better than ever. There will be struggles, but ultimately, the effort of pursuing this

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research will be nothing compared to the wonderful benefits that future generations will reap
from it. They will truly live in a technological and biological golden age.

Only time will tell if this technology will be the guide to humanities salvation, or the harbinger
of its destruction.
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotechnology/glenn.html
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/4935
http://realtruth.org/articles/223-gefwtc.html
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2013/09/08/the-endless-debate-over-genetic-engineering/
http://www.omorganics.org/page.php?pageid=95
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3078015/