The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is when genes are scientifically manipulated to modify an organism’s characteristics. This is either done by substituting, deleting or adding base pairs into the DNA sequence. It can also be done by extracting DNA from an organism and combining it with another organism’s DNA. Currently such engineering has been effectively used in the food industry e.g. to produce crops that are resistant to certain diseases or pesticides. But another use of this engineering is on embryos and let's first look at this use and discuss the pros and cons.

There are two types of genetic modification techniques to an embryo called somatic engineering and human germline engineering. Within somatic engineering [1], the technique can be split into the categories of ‘ex vivo’ and ‘in vivo’. Ex vivo means that modifications to the cells are done outside of the body, where the virus inserts the desired genes into the cells’ DNA. They are then cultured and transplanted back into the patient. The modification of the cells in the body is called in vivo, where the desired genes are inserted into the DNA within the body. This form of genetic engineering is performed on body cells. Germline engineering is performed on gamete, where the insertion of the DNA into the gamete means that the modifications will be seen in the cells of the future offspring.

When an embryo has been genetically modified it is usually to remove genes that will cause an identified disease, which is generally an inherited disease. Genetic alteration of an embryo's genes will consequently mean that these changes will be passed on to the succeeding generations. This leads to the positives of genetically modified embryos. Such engineering can lead to a decrease or complete riddance of serious genetically inherited diseases, for example cystic fibrosis [2]. This condition damages the lungs and the digestive system, which over time gets worse. It is caused by a defective gene that hinders the movement of salt and water in and out of cells in the body. To get this condition, the faulty gene must be inherited from both parents, who could either be carriers or suffers of the condition. Men suffering with the condition have fertility issues and in young children it can cause stomach swelling or vomiting that can require surgery. With 1 in 25 people in the UK being carriers of cystic fibrosis, the use of genetic modification to remove this one faulty gene could change the lives of many people and prevent the growth of this condition within the population.

However, the argument of preventing such diseases is the issue of useful genes being removed too. Sickle-cell anaemia is a genetic disorder caused by the inheritance of two sickle cell genes [3]. The removal of the genes would prevent the condition but having just one sickle cell gene provides defence against malaria so genetic engineering in this case would not have proved beneficial.

Some would also argue against this form of genetic engineering as it goes against what is natural and in the case of religion, it goes against what was made by God. For example, many Muslims believe that the suffering caused by such genetically inherited diseases is part of life’s tests and that removing the genes disrupts the creation of God and his plans.

There is also the ethical issue that altering the genes of an embryo is wrong as it is done without the consent of the embryo – those that believe in this effectively believe that the embryo is living so has the right to have a say in what is done. But some would consequently argue that the embryo is not yet a living being and that its consent is not compulsory. Furthermore, it is the parents who make this decision and parents are always making decisions for the betterment of their child. So for this argument the question arises of why should the decision of genetic engineering to prevent a disease be any different as any parent would do anything to improve the quality of their child’s life.

Another reason for the use of genetic engineering is for food and crops. This form of engineering allows the control of certain traits in the food/crop to allow for either a higher yield or better quality, involving the modification of the DNA. The ‘Flavr Savr’ tomato was the first genetically engineered food product that received its license for consumption [4]. Modifications to this tomato meant that it had a longer shelf-life as a gene was added that delayed the process of ripening. There is also the case of golden rice where rice has been genetically modified so that it is richer in Vitamin A. This alternation is intended to provide people in areas where there is Vitamin A deficiency with the much needed vitamin. There are also fish, such as salmon, that have been genetically engineered to increase their growing time to all year round rather than just the spring in order to increase the food supply.

In terms of this aspect of genetic engineering, there is the issue of health and safety. There are many who are rightly concerned with whether the food/crops produced will be safe for consumption. With the modification of meat products, there is the issue of the animal itself becoming ill during the process. This can result in the meat being sold to the public being contaminated, which is hazardous for the consumers. In order to combat this issue, the meat products must be thoroughly tested and regulated. Although irrelevant to health and safety, the testing process will be very expensive, which is another issue. Right now, genetically engineered foods products are not manufactured in the UK but there is the option to import genetically engineered varieties of rape seed oil, soybean, cotton-seed oil, maize and sugar beet [5].

Sources Used: [1] Genetherapynet.com. (2019). Overview of Gene Therapy Methods and Types of Gene Therapy. [online] Available at: http://www.genetherapynet.com/types-of-gene-therapy.html [Accessed 4 Jul. 2019]. [2] nhs.uk. (2019). Cystic fibrosis. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystic-fibrosis/ [Accessed 4 Jul. 2019]. [3] Quartz. (2019). The pros and cons of genetically engineering your children. [online] Available at: https://qz.com/564649/the-pros-and-cons-of-genetically-engineering-your-children/ [Accessed 4 Jul. 2019]. 3/3 [4] En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Genetically modified food. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food [Accessed 9 Jul. 2019]. [5] GOV.UK. (2019). Importing food. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/food-safety-as-a-food-distributor/genetically-modified-foods [Accessed 9 Jul. 2019].