Biochemical Surgery
The desire to improve our world is inherently human. From our health to our food, humans strive to enhance what we have. With the biotechnological age upon us, this desire is being channeled in directions that were previously unforeseen. Scientists have learned a great deal about genes- their structure, function, and how to manipulate them. By combining the genes of unrelated species, permanently altering their genetic codes, organisms are created that will pass the genetic changes onto their offspring through heredity. For the first time in history, human beings are becoming architects of life. Bio-engineers will be creating tens of thousands of organisms over the next few years. The prospect is frightening because genetic engineering poses unprecedented challenges to the environment.Admittedly, genetic engineering has produced new kinds of tomatoes. The Flavr Savr tomato has two and a half times more lycopene than the regular tomato. Lycopene is a carotenoid that has strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent oxygen from causing damage in cells. Carotenoids aid in the prevention of early blindness in children, cancer, and enhancing cardiovascular health. Not only are the transgenic to
Finally, the compelling argument against further research into genetic engineering is the unpredictable health damaging effects. New viruses, allergic reactions, and poisons are the result of genetic engineering. First, is the fear that viruses and diseases will be created. When genetic engineers insert a gene into any organism, there are "position effects" which can lead to unpredictable changes in the pattern of gene function. The protein product of the inserted gene may carry out unexpected reactions producing toxic products. There is a serious concern about using genetically engineered viruses as "delivery vehicles" in the generation of transgenics, an organism in which a foreign DNA gene is incorporated into its genome in the early stages of development. This could destabilize the genome, and create new viruses and dangerous diseases ("Genetically Engineered..." "Unpredictable..." par. 1). Secondly, is the possibility of allergic reactions. Allergic reactions come from transgenic crops that could bring new allergens into foods that sensitive individuals would not know how to avoid. An example is transferring the gene of one of the many allergen proteins found in milk into vegetables like carrots. Mothers who know how to avoid giving their sensitive children milk would not know how to avoid giving them transgenic carrots containing milk proteins. This problem is unique to genetic engineering because it alone can transfer proteins across species' boundaries into completely unrelated organism ("Risks of genetic..." sec. "New allergens..." par. 1). matoes richer in lycopene, they are more robust and solid compared to regular tomatoes (Missick. sec. "Tomatoes with..." par. 3). For example, the company, Flavr Savr, took an extra gene and put it in a tomato. When it was left to ripen naturally
Some common words found in the essay are:
Fox Dangers, Flavr Savr, Rifkin Par, Sec Current, Administration FDA, Biochemical Surgery, Engineered Unpredictable, Hazardous Examples, Sources Risk, genetic engineering, genetically engineered, par 3, active toxins, research genetic, allergic reactions, research genetic engineering, flavr savr, par 1, foreign substances, food crops harm, bt crops, factor research genetic, major factor research, flavr savr tomato,
Approximate Word count = 1226
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
