why is genetic engineering a source of controversy course hero

by Francisco Swaniawski 3 min read

Why is genetic engineering controversial?

Genetic engineering is among the top three most controversial issues of the modern world that always sparks off heated debates upon the issue of its ethicalness. Here are some arguments against genetic engineering that establish why it is wrong for humans to interfere with the original blueprints of Creation.

What is the second argument of genetic modification?

The second argument, put forward by proponents of Christianity, states that genetically modifying creatures and attempting to create new life forms is akin to challenging the authority of God and by doing so, humanity is inviting the same fate as Lucifer did by challenging God’s authority – eternal damnation in Hell.

What is the cause of concern for genetic cloning?

A major cause of concern pertains to the issue of genetic cloning – specially human cloning. Cloning a person is a direct violation to his/her gift of uniqueness that nature has bestowed upon him/her from the moment he/she started taking shape in his/her mother’s womb!

What is the first argument that God created the world?

The first argument is that God, the supreme omniscient and sentient being, created this world and all organisms. He designed the different distinct species such that no interbreeding would be possible, keeping the species separate forever for reasons best known to Him.

Is genetic engineering good?

While genetic engineering can do a whole lot of good if used for the betterment of life, imagine the side effects that the alteration of genes – the bit units of the entire, complex program of life – can bring about if even a little mishap were to take place during the alteration process!

Is genetic engineering anti-genetic?

If you take a closer look at the arguments against genetic engineering, most of them are not anti-genetic engineering. Rather, they are against certain uses of genetic engineering that can pose serious threats to nature by altering life forms to manufacture genetically tailored robots instead of allowing life to take its natural course. That being said, let’s go through some of the most significant points put forward by detractors of genetic engineering, justifying why genetic engineering should not be allowed to take a free course.

What is genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering (GE) is the practice of altering that genetic blueprint, to create “genetically altered” (GA) or “genetically modified” (GM) foods, or “genetically modified organisms” (GMOs). Through genetic engineering, scientists can impart desired genetic ...

Why would mutated salmon devastate fish populations?

This would devastate fish populations, because the available food supply could not sustain these fish.

What is the answer to the dilemma of world hunger?

World Hunger. The developers of GE foods also claim that mutated foods are the answer to the dilemma of world hunger. It is interesting that one of the largest biotech companies has developed the “terminator seed,” in which the seeds produced are sterile.

What happens if GE crops cross pollinate?

As the mutated GE crops cross-pollinate with other crops in their region, greater dangers will result. This is already beginning to occur. One example is that GE crops—mutated to resist pesticide—cross-pollinate with weeds, causing the rise of pesticide-resistant “superweeds.” Even worse, imagine the implications of the sterilization of natural crops from pollination by “terminator seed” crops.

How to avoid GE foods?

The only way to completely avoid GE foods is to buy or grow your own organic food —literally. The first large-scale commercial harvest of GE crops was in 1996. As of 1999, over a fourth of all crops grown in the U.S. were the GE variety. By now, most of the commercially-grown potatoes, tomatoes and various other vegetables are genetically engineered.

Is guinea pig genetically engineered?

The human race—serving as guinea pigs—is part of the largest uncontrolled experiment ever undertaken! Today, about two-thirds of all food available in supermarkets has been genetically engineered. Government agencies have long assured the public that these new “biotech” foods present no threat to human health or the environment.

Is biotech food bad for the environment?

Government agencies have long assured the public that these new “biotech” foods present no threat to human health or the environment. Only now are many realizing the extent to which they have been misled and the ominous consequences of this genetic intrusion.