Genetic Engineering in Humans

Mutation, the best selling novel by novelist Robin Cook, has a plot that covers the ethics of genetic engineering in humans. The novels protagonist, Victor Frank, implants an egg into his wife Marsha's womb, that has been genetically engineered with an agent called Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) into chromosome six. This agent leads to a mutation that causes the fetus to have more neurons than normal, giving the baby a very, very high IQ. The child grows into a super intelligent human, and what follows is a spine chilling experience. Cook has managed to weave an intricate plot portraying the disadvantages and advantages of genetic engineering in humans and the ethical issues related to such experiments.

The above example was just a work of fiction, that many thought was possible only in novels and reel-life sci-fi plots. But, man, the highest order in kingdom animalia, is unstoppable. Scientist, researchers, genetics, etc. have all managed to get a breakthrough with genetic engineering in humans. Know more on Genetic engineering.

Background on Genetic Engineering in Humans
The term genetic engineering was first used in Dragon's Island, a science fiction novel by Jack Williamson in 1951. With the discovery of 'Deoxyribonucleic Acid' or mitochondrial DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick, this fictional plot started to turn into a reality. Watson and Crick, with their experiments, could prove that DNA was the genetic material that was transferred generation to generation, with genetic information. This genetic information determined all the characteristics of a living being. The tiny, microscopic DNA contained all the genetic information related to the person, like the color of the eyes, the hair, skin tone, height, weight, IQ, EQ, diseases, disorders, etc. and even be able to determine a smile or the shape of nose. This blueprint of life is the most important ingredient of human genetic engineering. Know more on human genetics.

With this key in hand, scientists, researchers, genetics, doctors, etc. started working on the hot cake, 'Genetic Engineering'. Genetic engineering is carried out using five steps, that are:

• Gene of interest is isolated
• Transfer vector is inserted into the genes
• The vector is transferred into the organism that is to be modified
• The cells of an organism are transformed
• The last step involves selection of successfully genetically modified organisms (GMO) from those who have failed to be modified.

This genetic engineering was first applied to produce synthetic human insulin. This technology was gradually used to apply to a number of vaccines and drugs, that would prove to be beneficial to the human race. It was applied to plants to produce genetically modified foods, with higher resistance to infections and high nutritional values. Know more on Genetic engineering in food.

With the advancement in technologies and major breakthroughs in genetic engineering, more and more scientists working for private and government companies are spending time experimenting with the human genes. The completion of the Human Genome Project, in 2006, has given a major opening to medical companies, to carry out experiments and genetic tests using genetic engineering. Let us have a look at the pros and cons of genetic engineering.

Uses of Genetic Engineering in Human
Throughout the article I have been mentioning genetic engineering in humans. You must have got it by now, that it is an advance science that helps modify genes. But you may be plagued with the question, 'what are the uses and benefits of genetic engineering in humans'? There are a few major advantages of genetic engineering in humans, like:

• Genetic engineering in humans could help prevent life threatening and incurable diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's disease, even HIV/AIDS. There are cases like cardiomyopathy or susceptibility to viruses, that can be overcome with the help of genetic engineering.
• Better drugs could be produced that are disease or gene specific and attack the specific genetic mutation in an individual, to help over come a disease or disorder.
• Many people want to live a longer, healthier life or are just afraid of death. Such people with a love of life, can place their bets on genetic engineering to help them live longer. It is possible to increase the average life span of an individual to 100-150 years. And not just a longer life, but a healthy, long life, free from diseases and disorders. Although this may take a bit longer to achieve, but is does not seem impossible any longer.
• Women have a craze to look young and maintain their beauty for all eternity. The benefits of genetic engineering in humans may make it possible to slow down or reverse certain cellular metabolism, that may be able fulfill this desire to remain 'forever young' for many dreamers in the near future.
• You may have heard of designer clothes, designer bags, designer shoes and even a designer nose. But have you heard of designer babies? Yes, designer babies are possible to be produced with the help of genetic engineering in humans. Parents can choose the characteristics of their babies, like blond with blue eyes, high IQ, fair skin, etc. It may even be possible to choose the talent in your favorite idol to be manufactured (pun intended!) in your baby, like for example, a singer like Elvis Presley or maybe a great dancer like Micheal Jackson. No, I am not joking, this is all possible with a little bit of genetic engineering, within the blueprint of life - DNA.
• Do you remember 'Dolly Sheep'? This was a genetically modified, cloned sheep that is now dead for over 6 years. This world famous sheep was cloned using the cell from the mammary gland of another sheep. Cloning, another aspect of genetic engineering in humans can also be possible. There are many ethical issues of cloning and it is considered illegal by many governments around the world. It is a crime to clone humans now, but may be in our quest to produce the perfect beings, cloning will soon become a part of life.

These are a few advantages of genetic engineering in humans. But as every coin has two sides, there are many disadvantages of genetic engineering in humans that cannot be overlooked. Know more on animal cloning.

Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering in Humans
Under the pretext of producing a cure for diseases and hereditary disorders, many researchers carry out experiments on genetically modifying humans. This genetic engineering can prove to be a bane if:

• In the pursuit of producing babies without any genetic defects or hereditary disorders, we may end up producing super humans. Just as the example I mentioned in the beginning of my article, we may have a line of humans that may spell doom to those who are not genetically modified.
• Smarter humans means, larger brains, that may lead to babies with larger heads that have trouble passing through the birth canal of their mothers. This may cause trouble during birth and a rise in cesareans.
• Long life could lead to population problems. There may be stress on the natural resources and less living space. Although, you may live free of diseases, you may have a fight for survival for securing the basic necessities.
• Just like in the movie Gataca, there may be a division between genetically engineered humans and those that are normal (just imagine, begin normal may prove to be curse in the future!). People will no longer be discriminated on the basis of race, religion or creed, but actually on their genes!
• Human cloning may create problems of copies of men moving about freely around the world. If your clone turns out to be the one with a criminal streak, you may end up in jail for a crime committed by your clone. It is possible, if you can't prove your innocence. Imagine someone else taking over your life, family, work, etc!
• The problem faced by many developing countries today, is female infanticide. Genetic engineering may help stop this cruel and barbaric custom of killing the innocent girl child. You may think this is an advantage, I say otherwise. Genetic engineering may help such narrow minded, biased parents to actually choose the gender of the child. Therefore, more parents opting for a male child over a girl child. Thus, directly bringing an end to girl child killing as there will be no birth of the girl child!

I can go on and on regarding the benefits of genetic engineering in humans, like end of hunger, no disease, cure for all ailments, long life, ageless beauty, super intelligent humans, etc. But, one should always give a second thought to all the disadvantages listed. It is often said, man should not attempt to 'play God'. That's correct, but if God has bestowed us the power to make some beneficial changes to his creations, then we should surely do so wisely. Genetic engineers have turned into modern day alchemists, who are searching for the ultimate elixir of life, to produce the genetically modified, perfect human. This precious knowledge is being exploited by greedy men, who are using it just to earn more money. Nothing is bad if exploited within limits. When we harness our present, we should keep in mind all the possible effects it will have on our future. We may not be alive to view the beauty and the ugliness of the future, but our beloved children may be facing the consequences. With caution in mind, man should tap the benefits of genetic engineering in humans, with full understanding of the genetic engineering ethics..