Ethics and science have always been two areas that people have never seemed to be able to agree. The dawn of the 21st century also brought along a span of scientific innovations. Part of these innovations was the understanding of how DNA works and can be utilized for specific purposes. In one article, DNA is comprised of four letters which each represent a certain chemical. These chemicals include thymine, cytosine, adenine, and guanine. The four chemicals bind to each other to form chains that specify which amino acids will be needed to complete a protein (“Definition of Genetic Code”). Another source states that all living creatures share the exact same four chemicals. The sequence of the chemicals, or the genes, are what determine many
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Modern technology is combining with modern demands to create new needs. New technology often comes with new problems. An article states that the modifications of genes in an animal can be highly unpredictable. The unpredictable nature can be attributed to the fact that no set of DNA is identical. Two of the same genes can be expressed differently, even in the same species. The difference in genetic expression can cause a series of unsatisfactory results (“Why Animals Are Not Good for the Study of Human Disease” 3-4). The animal’s system is designed to function based of the conditions that it was born under and altering these genes alters the homeostasis, or balance, of the animal’s system (Ormandy 3). Altering the homeostasis alone is enough to make the animal’s life span suffer without adding in the factor of euthanasia. Not all genetic alterations result in the death of an animal. Even in successful trials, 85% to 95% of animals that do not possess desired traits are killed (Koberle 2). Animal systems and human systems are not the same. Scientifically and statistically it has been proven that testing and inserting new things into the animal can be unbeneficial. Statistically according the article “Would Drugs Be Safe for US Without First Being Tested On Animals?”, pharmaceutical testing with animals only accurately predicts the response in humans 5% to 25% of the time and 95% of new drugs that have failed clinical …show more content…
When things are negative, they can also be positive. Using animals in research has brought humanity through several advancements. One modern issue genetic engineering has tasked themselves with solving is in the agricultural field. “Genetic Engineering of Animals: Ethical Issues, Including Welfare Concerns” states that scientists are working on eliminating diseases, increasing health, increasing productivity, and also the profitability of livestock. In theory and with the right technology, this could potentially work. There is also work being done to help the pet and companion animal industry. In 2003 a modified fish was introduced to the market called Glofish, which are fish that have been enhanced with fluorescent proteins. Cats are also being edited to remove the Fel d1 gene which produces allergens (Ormandy 2). Threatened populations could also potentially benefit from research and theoretically, a Harvard University scientist posed the possibility of reviving extinct species (Vezina 4). Another prospective innovation is the use of pig organs for transplant into human hosts by modifying the genes of the pig (Ormandy
Modern technology is combining with modern demands to create new needs. New technology often comes with new problems. An article states that the modifications of genes in an animal can be highly unpredictable. The unpredictable nature can be attributed to the fact that no set of DNA is identical. Two of the same genes can be expressed differently, even in the same species. The difference in genetic expression can cause a series of unsatisfactory results (“Why Animals Are Not Good for the Study of Human Disease” 3-4). The animal’s system is designed to function based of the conditions that it was born under and altering these genes alters the homeostasis, or balance, of the animal’s system (Ormandy 3). Altering the homeostasis alone is enough to make the animal’s life span suffer without adding in the factor of euthanasia. Not all genetic alterations result in the death of an animal. Even in successful trials, 85% to 95% of animals that do not possess desired traits are killed (Koberle 2). Animal systems and human systems are not the same. Scientifically and statistically it has been proven that testing and inserting new things into the animal can be unbeneficial. Statistically according the article “Would Drugs Be Safe for US Without First Being Tested On Animals?”, pharmaceutical testing with animals only accurately predicts the response in humans 5% to 25% of the time and 95% of new drugs that have failed clinical …show more content…
When things are negative, they can also be positive. Using animals in research has brought humanity through several advancements. One modern issue genetic engineering has tasked themselves with solving is in the agricultural field. “Genetic Engineering of Animals: Ethical Issues, Including Welfare Concerns” states that scientists are working on eliminating diseases, increasing health, increasing productivity, and also the profitability of livestock. In theory and with the right technology, this could potentially work. There is also work being done to help the pet and companion animal industry. In 2003 a modified fish was introduced to the market called Glofish, which are fish that have been enhanced with fluorescent proteins. Cats are also being edited to remove the Fel d1 gene which produces allergens (Ormandy 2). Threatened populations could also potentially benefit from research and theoretically, a Harvard University scientist posed the possibility of reviving extinct species (Vezina 4). Another prospective innovation is the use of pig organs for transplant into human hosts by modifying the genes of the pig (Ormandy