The Future Evolution of Human: Gene Splicing
Gene Splicing: Survival of the Fittest Long ago stories, legends, and myths were created describing humans who were infused with the body parts of animal. Creatures such as mermaids, centaurs, and Satyrs were placed into our minds and we could only imagine what it would be like to meet these creatures. They became so numerous that they were given a category, Anthropomorphism. Over time and with our knowledge of science increasing, body parts that may have been considered to be part of Anthropomorphism were explainable. Webbed hands and feet, humans being born with a tail; and even being born with an extra appendage like an extra toe or finger are no longer a disfiguring ailment. But what
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Yet currently in western society we keep wasting resources as if they will never end. That is why we need to start looking at a merger between animals and man. The best of both worlds. The animal instincts and mans ability for adaption.
The science to gene manipulation and gene splicing leads us back to the question, are we playing God? In a secular sense, yes, but what religion fails to see is that man and animal have had a connection that extends through our genetics. We share DNA with many animals, but certain DNA have long been turned off because we evolved to our current state. As Dr Marilyn Strathern was quoted as saying, “relatives are always a surprise and biotechnology extends the scope of kinship along with all of its social entailments.” (642) While religion asks that we not engage in this discussion, there will come a time when it must be discussed and a possible plan must be put in place for the end of humanity. All options must be considered, and gene splicing is one of those options.
How would we achieve this chimera of man and animal? Both through nature and nurture, we have the means today to make it possible. Breeding of the species is one way. The best example of mixed breeding is the Liger. The half lion / half tiger can be bred and then created in a lab. While the breeding does not allow for the new animal to have children, the breeding creates a bigger and stronger animal than the
As explained in the book, Gene falls into the category of those who could afford to retire but choose to continue working; he has continued working even though he and his wife had sufficient combined benefits to retire. However, “Lois Smith’s own benefits would not have enabled her to lead a financially comfortable retirement if she were not married, and she would probably face some financial hardship if she were to become a widow” (Hutchison, 2015).
gene splicing is already in effect.’ I am fully aware that many different genetically modified
DNA are like legos, they work together to build the traits of living things. They are the building blocks of the body. Many scientists today have been figuring out different ways to manipulate, change, add, and subtract genes from the DNA in living things; this is process is called genetic engineering. Some of the living things being experimented on are live people, plants, and animals. Today scientists are debating on the morals of genetic engineering due to what the community thinks of it, because of the christian 's viewpoint of genetic engineering. To some christians it may pose a threat to their, but to others it may be a blessing or a gift. Genetic Engineering is a growing breakthrough in the science community. “Over the last 30 years, the field of genetic engineering has developed rapidly due to the greater understanding of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the chemical double helix code from which genes are made. The term genetic engineering is used to describe the process by which the genetic makeup of an organism can be altered using “recombinant DNA technology.” This involves the use of laboratory tools to insert, alter, or cut out pieces of DNA that contain one or more genes of interest.”(Pocket K No. 17) Scientist have yet to unlock the full potential of genetic engineering, but the information and the use they have found for it today has reached farther than anyone 's expectations.
A boy, named Finny, falls off of a tree at Devon Private School causing everyone to fall into depression. When asked by Finny how he fell off the tree, he said that he was not exactly sure how it happened but all he remembered was that him and Gene decided to jump off of the tree into the water, so they can start preparing for the war and so they took off their clothes and Finny started to climb the tree with Gene on his footsteps. When he reached the edge of the branch he stood and waited for Gene to get their; however, while he was looking at the water, the branch suddenly shook causing him to fall from the branch. When asked by Gene about this matter he clearly responds
Worryingly, there has been minimal public debate regarding this technology that could irreversibly alter the human race. Instead, ethical discourse has been largely contained to scientific and political circles. It is extremely problematic that a large majority of the general public is unaware of the research and debate regarding human gene modification. In addition, the current debate has stagnated, with researchers and politicians being unable to find any common ground. However, upon close examination of the three main ideological groups within this controversy, a key similarity becomes apparent: each group, regardless of whether they are proponents or opponents of human gene
Throughout the world, many intelligent minds exist. One, in particular, had something to say about Human genetic engineering. “Nuclear weapons need large facilities, but genetic engineering can be done in a small lab. You cannot regulate every lab in the world. The danger is that either by accident or design, we create a virus that destroys us” (Stephen Hawking). Hawking is considered to be one of the most intelligent people in the modern world. For this reason, his statement is not to be taken with a grain of salt. The concept of Human genetic engineering is surrounded with danger and controversy. There are several different positions on human genetic modification. Conservatives, or Traditionalists believe such innovation or change would be detrimental towards the human race. Conservatives say that families are the foundation of society so changing how families come to be would ultimately tear society apart (Foht). Others say that innovation of such magnitude would act as a boon to the human race. Concerning the danger of genetic engineering, it could definitely become an immense detriment. However, with the correct limitation and government oversight, the human race will benefit from it. Genetically engineering a Human embryo is a step that science will eventually take. Whether it be decades or centuries from now, genetically modified humans will walk the Earth.
While saving lives is an attractive prospect, several ethical objections have been raised. Firstly, it may be wrong to make major changes to human DNA at all, as it alters the innate nature of humanity. Secondly, the technology has the potential to be used for other, controversial purposes, such as manufacturing humans or enhancing traits. These ethical concerns must be weighed against the benefits of developing this
A chimera is made of cells that are derived from two or more organisms. They can occur in nature. For example, when two separate sperm fertilize two separate eggs and the embryos somehow fuse together creating a single fetus with genetically distinguishable cells, tetragametic chimerism occurs. Although, chimeras are more commonly man-made. One way to make a chimera is to introduce the organs of one organism to another. In organ or tissue transplants, the host receives two genetically distinct cells or tissues, creating a tissue chimera. The other method is introducing one organism’s cells to the embryo of another and letting them grow together into a hybrid. Scientists have found a way to use this unique method to create a human-chimera.
“Every 30 seconds of every day that passes, there is a person that dies, that could be cured by using tissues or organs for transplantation,” says Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. A Chimera is any animal that composes cells that originate from another species. In the past, scientists created pigs with human blood, fused human cells with rabbit eggs, gave mice human brains, replaced damaged human heart valves with cow’s and pig’s. Scientists should be allowed to mix human and animal DNA to create Human Chimeras. Scientists have been using Chimerism to grow organs, study diseases, and learn more about the human neurological system. These Chimera’s can be very beneficial to the world of science.
In the past three decades, scientists have learned how to mix and match characteristics among unrelated creatures by moving genes from one creature to another. This is called “genetic engineering.” Genetic Engineering is prematurely applied to food production. There are estimates that food output must increase by 60 percent over the next 25 years to keep up with demand. Thus, the result of scientist genetically altering plants for more consumption. The two most common methods for gene transfer are biological and electromechanical. “Early experiments all involved changing DNA using bacterial vectors”(Randerson, 2001). Through other advances scientists proclaim how they can improve the human gene pool. All humans have
Human arrogance is always the main concern when dealing with genetic engineering due to our lack of knowledge. The truth about the human genome still remains unknown, even with the CRISPR system. Scientists are able to edit a gene but could quite possibly never know the full extent of the alterations. For an example, say there is a genetically altered baby that has been inserted with a gene that will make the child good in sports. This will make the child predisposed to like sports, but could that also mean they could also be inclined to dislike music? Genetic engineers do not know enough about DNA to answer questions such as this. This is where religions are concerned because most “share a deep uneasiness regarding actions that might alter
“Genetic engineering differs from cloning in key ways. Whereas cloning produces genetically exact copies of organisms, genetic engineering refers to processes in which scientists manipulate genes to create purposefully different versions of organisms—and, in some cases, entirely new living things”, duplication of genetic cells is known as human cloning. Development of genetic engineering biotechnologies undermines the natural autonomy of life. Does genetic engineering interfere with God’s natural order or a manipulation of God creation and the intended purpose of our lives? Genetic engineering goes against the theological belief of the authority of God and religion governance order. This new paradigm of genetic engineering reproduction of life as we know is an interference of the creation of God’s and life. I believe if we continue the use of genetic engineering cloning it is against everything we believe in, genetic engineering is not God’s will and it should be prohibited,
Human cloning is not always copying and creating a full organism; that is reproductive cloning. Cloning just an organ or tissue is called therapeutic cloning, and is a technology that is not possible yet but scientists feel that it is only a matter of time (Tierney). With that technology, many patients could be cured of previously life-long conditions such as paralysis, chronic heart attacks, and leukemia. A long-term “disease” such as infertility could be cured as well by creating a clone of the female and then transplanting that clone’s eggs into the female and then the children the couple has will be their biological children! Even amputees could have limbs regenerated in a lab and reattached (Smith). These medical advances seem like a cure-all, but they are not possible at the moment because we do not know enough about the human genome to see which genes code for certain proteins which shape the function of the cell. With our current technology, we cannot direct a cell to specialize into a kidney cell to transplant into a patient needing a new kidney. Current technology doesn’t allow for the creation of “spare parts” but it is possible to create fully functional humans (after many attempts), and then the human that was “created” could then be grown and disemboweled for “spare parts” (Dudley 30). The idea of creating a “Caliban” or a human specifically to act
Imagine that Sunday morning bacon smell is crafted in a laboratory by gene splicing and corn on the cobb was sprayed by herbicide that just created a new mega weed that might destroy all wheat on earth. Most of the food people eat in this world contains genetically modified organisms. If you haven’t thought about what was in your last meal, then you may need to start thinking about it. 92% of corn in America is genetically modified, and 94% of soybeans are created or modified in a lab. An estimated 75% of processed food is genetically modified (United States Department of Agriculture). In other words, most of the food the average American eats is altered from its natural state. GM foods are created when scientists take traits from specific animals or plants and add them to other animals or plants. For example, add a specific type of growth hormone to a pig and one has more pig than without.
One of the biggest pictures that are against genetic engineering is that humans are not supposed to play the role of God. DNA is a unique thing to every person. Bioengineering itself involves the very technical aspects of modification, and the enhancement of stem cells or DNA and this process can change the human structure. “The progress of civilization has been having been largely dependent upon the out ‘interference with nature’.”(Encyclopedia of Applied Plant Sciences).