Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering is the direct alteration of the DNA in the genome of an organism to change or modify the phenotype of the organism. Genetic engineering involves the extraction of DNA from the genome of an organism and merging it with the DNA of a given individual organism. Genetic engineering may include modifying one base pair, removing the entire DNA region, or adding another copy of a gene. Scientists use genetic engineering to improve or change the phenotype of an individual organism.
The first genetically modified animal was made by Rudolf Jaenisch and Beatrice Mintz in 1974. However, the mouse used in the experiment could not transfer the transgene to its offspring. Four scientists were able to genetically modify a mouse that was able to pass the transgenes to its offspring in 1981 (Alston). Since then, more organisms have been genetically modified, mainly crops and animals. Genetic engineering will significantly reshape humanity, enhancement of vaccines, and finding the cure to some illnesses.
Genetic engineering and the future
The discovery of new genetic technologies is expected to enhance genetic engineering significantly. Genetic engineering might enable scientists to eliminate some diseases by modifying individual genomes to avoid some health problems (Meltz, 58). Genetic engineering may lead to the creation of super-humans who are modified for particular characteristics such as intelligence and appearance. The increasing understanding of how biology and genes operate is paving the way for excellent medical applications such as gene therapies and sequencing of genomes. Gene therapies and genome sequencing will hopefully help to fight cancer and other chronic illnesses. Genetic engineering will also enable the selection of embryos during in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is based on enlightened genetic predictions of intimate traits like intelligence, personality, and height, and health-related characteristics. Future genetic engineering will enable the use of stem-cell technologies to increase the number of eggs that can be used in IVF by potential mothers (Meltz, 47). Expanding the number of eggs for use in IVF will give prospective parents a range of reproductive options.
Future genetic engineering will also improve the today’s gene-editing tools, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) systems. Deploying more enhanced gene editing tools will enable the changing of heritable genetics for future offspring. A more self-guided process will eventually replace Darwin’s concept of natural selection and random mutation. Scientists are currently considering using genetic engineering technologies to eliminate diseases like malaria. Combating malaria will be made possible by restricting mosquitoes to only transfer genes for maleness (Alston). Therefore, there is a possibility of wiping out malaria-carrying mosquitoes in the coming generations. Eradication of malaria in future generations could be a significant medical step because malaria is currently killing millions of people globally. However, such experiments raise environmental and ecological concerns, which are yet to be clearly explained.
Genetic engineering can also be used in the future to grow new human organs in pigs and sheep. Human cells could be placed into sheep and pig embryos, then the DNA of the two species be combined with growing human organs. Therefore, there will be a cheaper and endless supply of human organs for replacement and transplantation. The cost and scarcity of replacement organs for humans will be reduced significantly. Genetic engineering might lead to a future population of wild animals that are genetically modified to get rid of some health problems. A technology known as gene drive can enable the editing of the genetic code of an animal and pass down the changes to their offspring. Some diseases, such as Lyme disease, which is carried by white-footed mice and passed to humans through tick bites, can potentially be eliminated. CRISPR technology can be used to insert DNA, which is immune to Lyme disease, to the productive cells of a mouse. The immunity is then passed to the mice offspring, and later the genetically modified mice are released back to the wild, where they can reproduce and spread the immunity to others. In this way, Lyme disease will be eliminated in the entire mice population, and humans will also be free of the illness as the transmission will stop.
Genetic engineering could also eradicate fertility through a technology known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). Through this technology, scientists will be able to turn adult human cells into a laboratory-made egg and sperm cells (Meltz, 67). In vitro gametogenesis technology would be a significant step towards eradication of infertility problems. The infertile and same-sex couples will be able to conceive a child who is biologically related to both parents. CRISPR technology can also be used to find a cure for some diseases such as sickle-cell anemia and HIV. The technology has already been utilized to treat sickle-cell anemia in mice as well as improving hearing (Jasanoff et al., 37). Sickle-cell anemia in mice has been treated by editing the bone marrow cells. Scientists suggest that the same can be tried on humans and that the technology could be used to cure cataracts and cystic fibrosis.
CRISPR technology has also been used to improve crop performance and yields. Scientists believe that CRISPR could be used in the future to make drought-resistant crops. The rising temperatures and decreasing levels of precipitation being experienced in the current climatic change could also be temporarily offset (Satyajit). The technology could also be used to make gene drives to control the transmission and spread of some diseases by restricting the passage of a given trait from parents to their offspring. Gene editing might pave the way for the creation of personalized medicine and treatments designed to fit a unique DNA. Tailoring a customized remedy will be cost-saving and effective in curing and eradicating some illnesses. Moreover, genetic engineering would be used in industries to engineer microbes to produce medicine as well as biofuels genetically.
Genetic engineering could also be used in the future to enhance the environment by eliminating the number of toxins released to the environment. Genetic engineering will enable the creation of pest-resistant, herbicide-tolerant, and stress-tolerant crops. When the use of pesticides and herbicides is reduced, the number of toxins released to the environment will be minimal. Therefore, the environment is preserved significantly, and it will become a better place for both humans and animals. The cost of food production will be cut off by a significant percentage; therefore, enhancing global food security. Genetic engineering can also be used to prevent or even eradicate some hereditary diseases like Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular illnesses, and viral infections. Through gene therapy, the defective genes could be corrected, thus preventing the spread of the diseases from parent to offspring. Defective genes could be replaced with a homologous combination of the defective gene. The defective genes could also be repaired through reverse mutation or alteration of the gene expression (Muntaha et al.,3). Gene therapy could be used in the future to find a cure for cancer and other diseases.
Genetic engineering could also be used to generate sustainable energy through the use of natural bacteria, mushrooms, animals, plants, and molds by the use of environmental biotechnology. Environmental biotechnology could enable enhancement of waste recovery, elimination of ecological collisions, and biodegradation (Muntaha et al., 5). Environmental biotechnology can also help eliminate heavy metals and toxic chemicals from the environment. Therefore, environmental biotechnology can help preserve the already deteriorating ecological and climatic conditions.
Concerns about future genetic engineering
Genetic engineering raises many ethical questions, especially CRISPR. The human genome is yet to be adequately studied; therefore, there are various concerns about the safety of conducting such experiments on humans. CRISPR technology can potentially wipe out or even rearrange large areas of the DNA. Some experiments have also indicated that CRISPR-modified cells can cause cancer (Jasanoff et al., 37). Again, convincing the public that genetic engineering is goods need way better public information. People need to be well informed and knowledgeable about the subject before they can be given a chance to try gene therapy. New genetically modified species could cause an ecological imbalance of a region. The changes that could be made to the environment by a genetically engineered species are also unpredictable (Häggström, 10). Unpredictable results can result in several problems. An error or accident in genetic engineering of a bacteria or virus can lead to the creation of a stronger version, which can result in a severe epidemic once released to a population.
Genetic engineering of plants and animals could create unknown side effects such as unpredicted allergies. Genetically modifying plants or animals can create changes in the original nature of the plants or animals, which can cause allergic reactions to some people. Genetic engineering can also make an organism toxic to human beings or other microorganisms. Again, genetic engineering uses genes for the resistance of antibiotics as selectable markers in plants. The antibiotic-resistance genes may continue to be expressed in plant tissues, meaning that genetically engineered plant food has antibiotic-resistance genes (Häggström, 15). Eating such foods can potentially reduce the ability of antibiotics to fight illnesses. The antibiotic-resistance genes can also be transferred to pathogens, therefore making the pathogens resistant to antibiotics.
Another concern about future genetic engineering is that terrorist groups could use it to develop potent biological weapons. The weapons could target people who have particular genes or be resistant to medicine (Satyajit). Genetic engineering enables the fast reproduction of genetically modified organisms; therefore, when used as biological weaponry, the effects could be devastating. Genetic engineering of humans can also lead to war because every society will be competing to make a superior population. As Jammie Meltz, author of ‘Hacking Darwin,’ notes, nations will strive to genetically modify their people to be stronger and smarter to gain the upper hand against rival societies. The competition to make superior beings can disrupt world peace and lead to a devastating state of insecurity or even war.
In conclusion, genetic engineering is the direct modification or alteration of DNA in the genome of an organism to change or modify the phenotype of the organism. Genetic engineering has been used in the past in fields such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, environment, agriculture, and industry. Genetic engineering is still a new field and has several prospective of shaping humanity, future medical innovations, agricultural improvement, and enhancement of the environment and climate. Genetic engineering will enable the creation of disease-free human species, growing of human organs in pigs, the creation of personalized treatments, and eradication of some genetically inherited diseases. However, future genetic engineering raises ethical and social issues about the safety of the experiments on humans, animals, and the environment.
Works Cited
Häggström, Olle. Here be dragons: Science, technology, and the future of humanity. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Jasanoff, Sheila, J. Benjamin Hurlbut, and Krishanu Saha. “CRISPR democracy: Gene editing and the need for inclusive deliberation.” Issues in Science and Technology 32.1 (2015): 37.
Metzl, Jamie. Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity. Sourcebooks, Inc., 2019.
Muntaha, S. T., Ahmed, A., & Ahmed, K. (2016). Applications and Future Prospects Of Genetic Engineering: A New Global Perspective. FUUAST Journal of Biology, 6(2),
201-209.
http://www.jbiomeds.com/biomedical-sciences/human-social-and-environmental-impacts-of-human-genetic-engineering.php?aid=7264
https://newengineer.com/insight/the-future-of-genetic-engineering-1383253