Genetic Engineering Advantages

We, homo sapiens (and every other organism on the planet), become what we are on the basis of the genes we inherit from our parents at the time of our birth. Whether you are tall, short, dark, dusky or fair, have great hair, good health - everything depends on these genes. Earlier these genes were believed to be 'tamper proof' and they could not be manipulated. But the human brain and contemporary science does not deem anything as impossible. Thus, we came up with a concept called genetic engineering. Genetic engineering refers to the process of directly tackling an organism's genes. Molecular cloning and transformation is used in genetic engineering for changing the structure and nature of genes. This technology has brought about a sea change in farming and in human genetics. If you are curious and want more answers, then here is more on genetic engineering advantages.

Advantages of Genetic Engineering

Human Genetic Engineering
The first and one of the most prominent genetic engineering pros is that genetic disorders can be prevented by identifying those genes which cause these diseases in people. The use of genetic engineering to prevent diseases is called gene therapy. This can be extremely advantageous especially when women screen their unborn babies for genetic defects. If there is a chance that the baby can have genetic defects, it can prepare the mother and the doctors before and after the baby delivered. In advanced cases, those problem genes can be corrected.

In addition to that, infectious diseases can be controlled and effectively dealt with by implanting genes which code for the antiviral proteins particular to each antigen. Humans can be developed or formed to reflect desirable characteristics. It is being said, theoretically though that this process can drastically change human genomes. This would facilitate in helping people regrow their limbs and other organs. In addition to this, people can be made stronger, faster and smarter, by using genetic engineering in the future. In other cases, if a gene exists in nature which can be good for human beings, it can be ingested in human cells. Soon a possibility of human cloning with the help of human genetics cannot be ruled out.

Animals and Plants
To start off with different crops, genetic engineering can culminate in alteration of the DNA structure of the original crop. This will increase the growth rate of the plant along with its immunity, and resistance towards diseases caused by pathogens and parasites. These factors in turn will be amongst the most important benefits of genetic engineering when it comes to crops. These genetically modified foods could increase the food resources and fewer sources would be needed to satisfy everyone's hunger. This would be done by genetically modified crops for better productivity. These crops could be genetically modified to resist pests, fight bacterial and fungal infections or have great nutritional value. Animal cloning for the production of suitable donors is another important genetic engineering advantage. The advantages also include creation of plants to contain certain drugs by manipulating genes.

Amongst others, positive aspects of genetic engineering are important in the field of pharmaceuticals as well. Pharmaceutical products better than their predecessors are being formed by cloning a number of particular genes.

What are the advantages of genetic engineering is still a very contentious topic. Experts have opined that concepts such as cloning would lead to loss of genetic and biological diversity. Further, there is an opinion that in the current scenario there are no safe and ethical methods that can be implemented for human experiments, casting a shadow of speculation over the whole issue of genetic engineering.

Last but not the least, the entire concept of genetic engineering is still very new. There is still a long way to go and many breakthroughs and pathways are still to come with regards to genetic engineering advantages.