GENETIC ENGINEERING

      

           Genetic engineering is a powerful tool and potentially very dangerous. To change the order of DNA nucleotides that code for a complex structure of living organisms, can have the effect of seriously ill despite the potential benefits can be great.

Before advances in the application of genetics, gene therapy is unheard of and always inherited genetic defects, which hit generation. Today, genetic tests are widely available, such as prenatal chromosome karyotyping to examine genetic abnormalities. Genetic testing is also useful for families in which autosomal recessive disorder that is known to exist, is currently planning to have a child. In addition, genetic testing is available for those who may have inherited genetic disorders that only become apparent at a later date (eg Huntington's disease). Individual choice to decide whether a person prefers to know if they are exposed to a particular disease or more likely to die young. Knowing that your life may be short can inspire you to make the most of it while it can also cause severe depression.

Today`s advances in gene therapy make it possible to even remove a faulty gene and replace it with a functioning gene in cells lacking this function. Though these techniques are available, they are still in the experimental stages. Somatic cell therapy, for example, uses faulty genes to target the affected areas for genetic treatment. This technique is beneficial in the treatment of cancers and lung, blood and liver disorders. Since the treatment is localised, any unwanted effects of this are not passed on to the next generation. A more controversial technique is the genetic alteration of gametes which causes a permanent change for the organism as well as for subsequent generations. Of course if the gene is corrected without further negative effects, the genetic disorder has been successfully eliminated; but if a problem arises it could pass on.

These advances in genetic engineering make the possibility of "designer babies" a reality. When the choice to change every aspect of every characteristic of a child is available, who would refuse? Why have an average child, when it is possible to have one with perfect health, good looking, intelligent and matching every other desirable characteristic which parents could want? The benefits seem endless: the potential for a perfect society without physical imperfections, low intelligence nor undesirable personality traits. How far this could go, is unpredictable; theoretically humans could for example be made more efficient - requiring less food but able to work harder.

Another large problem with all types of genetic engineering is the interdependence of genes: while on the one hand one gene may code for several features, on the other hand many genes are frequently required to code for one characteristic. While chromosome mapping is useful, without test crossing with every possible variable characteristic of an organism, it cannot be known what the functions of each gene are. Hence when a gene is removed, what is known about the function of that gene may not be all it codes for. The removed gene may also have a part to play in other functions. Similarly, the inserted gene may have other functions that are not known about. Some of the effects of these unknown gene functions may be noticed immediately and possibly be rectifiable, while others without immediate effect may cause significant long term changes. Little is known about the long term effects and potential dangers which may be inherited before they are noticed. Such problems may be cumulative and become harder to stop through time as the spread of new genetic problems continues through generations.