We’ve all seen genetic engineering succeed, like Dolly the sheep for example, the first ever mammal to be cloned, but will we see it prosper and eventually enhance the wellbeing of humanity? Genetic engineering is capable of many things, but is it capable of saving us?
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Dogs might be titled as a “man’s best friend,” but will they have the title of being a man’s hero?
The process …show more content…
As scientists serve potatoes as the newest oral vaccine, are injections officially off the menu?
In the past years, scientists have proven that genetically engineered potatoes will soon be an option against needles and syringes. Hepatitis B is a virus that results in liver failure and sometimes liver cancer. This virus is currently infecting 350 million hosts, one million of which, are killed each year. The main difference between oral vaccines and injections is the portability and convenience. Some countries does not have the means to store such complex serums. They are suitable for developing countries and have a lower risk for contamination, which can result from needles. Also research has shown that potatoes can serve as vaccines for intestinal infections like E.coli.“As for the trial, researchers genetically modified potatoes to carry the gene for the Hepatitis B antigen. An antigen is a foreign substance, usually a protein, that, when absorbed by the body, triggers an immune response.” (John Roach http://news.nationalgeographic.com/) 42 people were given these potatoes and about 60% of the results were successful. The immunity of their bodies to Hepatitis B boosted right after the trial. This shows that a human body can withstand a genetically modified vaccine. Also, no adjuvant, which is a substance that helps the vaccine …show more content…
Critics say that genetic engineering makes the world unequal because some can be created to be more capable than others, but aren’t certain people already limited of what they want to do because of their natural genetic code? Genetic engineering could save the lives of those who need saving. That could be us, our future children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. Genetic engineering is a matter of choice, a decision whether or not you want to save lives through this process or sit still and observe others who are slowly dying when you know that there is a possibility to prevent such things from happening. Change doesn 't come overnight. Our genes can be unpredictable, but we need to treasure that uncertainty, because in the end, it might just save us all. We are our own worst enemy. In my opinion, it is better to fail forward than to do nothing at all. For that reason, I am FOR genetic