...Outline of Final Paper SCI 207 Dr. Shameema Sarker March 4, 2012 I. Introduction Hunger is and can be a significant moral challenge for the nation on many levels. It can equally be a threat politically and economically for all. The present and future hunger controversy is what inspired biotechnology and genetic engineering. The hopes of solving the food problem of this world’s growing population has brought about the genetic engineering or genetically modified crops in farming. Even though some proponents that genetically modified foods could be beneficial to the world, to include taste and quality, and resistance to disease, the truth is yet to be recognized unequivocally. There are thousands of questions to be answered and further research to be done. Public awareness is equally necessary and the reality of food and crop engineering and distributing is also yet to be complete. This paper will examine if the consumption of genetically engineered foods is good for human health, the agriculture and the world’s food supply, genetically engineering involving nature, the positive and negative aspects, and the food security and alternatives. II. Human Health a) Public Awareness b) Taste c) Promises III. Agriculture and Food Supply a) Pollution of crops b) Does more or less need to be done with genetic modification c) Too much or too less will cause hunger IV. Nature a) Will species be harmed? Will land be harmed? V. Positive...
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...Whitney Summers Ms. Wert English 101 H December 3, 2012 Genetic Engineering Just imagine the scene: and newlywed wife and husband are sitting down with a catalog, browsing joyously, pointing and awing at all the different options, fantasizing about all the possibilities that could become of their future. Is this a catalog for new furniture? No. This catalog for all features, phenotype and genotype, for the child they are planning to have. It is basically a database for parents to pick and choose all aspects of their children, from the sex of the child, to looks, and even to personality traits. Parents since the beginning of time have “planned” to have children, but never have they been able to legitimately “plan” out their child. This scene does not seem typical for our time and age, but truthfully it is what is becoming of our world. Through substantial research and experimentation that is taking place, scientists, specifically biologists, are becoming keener to the field of engineering; Genetic engineering that is. When one thinks of “genetic engineering,” the first thought is probably a perfect child, or paradoxically some inconceivable creature, forged under the microscope in a scientific laboratory. Though both of these are genetic engineering, many people do not consider other things, such as genetic engineering of agriculture and medicine, both of which are extremely useful. Through the genetic altering of plants and crops, scientists have been able to manipulate...
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...Death of an expert witness by P.D James English C Background Phyllis Dorothy James or more commonly referred to as P.D James was born in Oxford in 1920. James attended Cambridge High School for Girls. Her first published work titled Cover Her Face which she began writing in the mid 50s introduced the public to her most iconic character; investigator Adam Dagliesh. Dagliesh is a well-known character who is a reoccurring presence in a series of detective novels one of which I have had the pleasure of indulging in/reading, namely The Death of an expert witness. Death of an Expert Witness The novel was published 1977 receiving praise from an array of writers and readers. The story opens with scientists and experts in cases of violent deaths being summoned to the scene where a murder has taken place. The victim is a young woman who by the looks of it has been strangled and abandoned in a field. The storyline however does not revolve around the murder in question but is more of a subtle method to introduce the reader to the staff of the forensics laboratory before the murder which the story centres around has takes place/been committed. One is primarily introduced to the forensic pathologist of the Hoggatts Laboratory (located in East Anglia), Dr Kerrison. Kerrison is one morning rudely awoken by the insistent ringing of the phone, careful not to awaken his two young children Nell and William, he quietly leaves the house. In this passage we also become intimately acquainted...
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...Genetic engineering (GE) refers to the technique of modification or manipulation of genes (the biological material or chemical blue print that determines a living organism’s traits) from one organism to another thus giving bacteria, plants, and animals, new features. The technique of selecting the best seed or the best traits of plants has been around for centuries. Humans have learned to graft (fuse) and hybridize (cross breed) plants, creating dwarfs and other useful forms since at least 1000 B.C. (Pueppke 2001). There are two main arguments surrounding genetic engineering the first argument is, genetic modification of crops threatens to produce pesticide-resistant insect pests and herbicide-resistant weed, will victimize poor farmers, and is unlikely to feed the world. The second argument is, genetically modified crops hold the potential to feed the world during the twenty-first century while also protecting the environment. Norman E. Borlaug, a pioneer of the green revolution and the winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize states, “Genetic modification of crops is… just another step in humankind’s deepening scientific journey. … We cannot turn back the clock on agriculture,” he adds, “and only use methods that were developed to feed a much smaller population.” (Rodney 2000). Through out time we will be required to adapt to genetically engineered crops as a necessity to nutritionally feed the growing population. The demand of rapidly growing world population has exerted increasing...
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...Our current food supply By February 20, 2011 A lot of the food that we eat today contains genetically modified ingredients and usually without our knowledge. The reason that this is done is that it ensures and sustains food security around the world as the population increases. The population now is at 6 billion people and is expected to double in the next 50 years. Genetic engineering is when a scientist manipulates a gene to create plants, animals, and microorganisms unnaturally. These items are created to withstand cold as unexpected frost can destroy many crops a year. Some reasons this is done is to achieve higher yield, improve the nutritional value and improve taste of food. Genetic engineering also called biotechnology will also improve shelf life to fruits and vegetables. I do not consider this to be as big of an issue as a lot of people are making it. Obviously there are reasons that the government does not have to tell us when we are eating genetically engineered food or not. It is because it is completely safe, and I believe that the people that are against it simply do not know enough about it. I will admit that when I first heard about “cloning food” I was a little disgusted as I also did not understand it at that time. There are some dangers that come with genetically engineered foods. Many of the opposed claim it causes nuclear pollution, global warming, and the toxic effects of pesticides and herbicides. Most of these crops developed are resistant...
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...Supersize Your Child?-Summary In the essay Supersize Your Child by Richard Hayes, the author is explaining the pros and cons of genetic engineering. Hayes starts off the essay by giving examples of what could happen if you genetically engineer your child; you could make them attractive, give them photographic memories, or even ensure they have a life span of up to 200 years. The author makes this all sound very attractive to the reader. He also assumes that the reader wants this for their children; the parents want the children to be the best of the best. Throughout the beginning of the essay Hayes gives examples of the progress we have made as a whole in the genetic engineering field. He explains that Science magazine reported that the 5-HTT gene reduces the risk of depression. It can also help depression after stressful events. He then goes into detail about how in 1993 the University of California at San Francisco biochemist Cynthia Kenyon had discovered a gene called DAF-2 that made nematode worms live four weeks instead of their normal two week life span. Hayes then goes into testimony that states if we do genetic engineering that we will mess up the natural selection process. Professor Lee Silver from Yale University also goes into detail and talks about how if we do this genetic engineering the genetic engineered people will be at the top of the classes, running things like politics and large corporations; while the ‘regular’ people would be lower class and working...
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...| Should parents screen for desirable genetic traits in their offspring? | | | | | | Critical Thinking 11 June 2012 Final Project As technology advances and scientists carry on with everyday research in medicine, a new way of life is created. With simply a test tube and perfectly selected genes a family can welcome their designer baby to the world with open arms. Should parents screen for desirable genetic traits in their offspring? Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) also known as a designer baby is a genetic modification that is used to alter anything from gender to disease, even appearance, personality, and IQ. The Oxford Dictionary defines the term 'Designer Babies' as "a baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes or characteristics." According to Wall Street Journal, “PGD is a technique whereby a three-day-old embryo, consisting of about six cells, is tested in a lab to see if it carries a particular genetic disease. Embryos free of that disease are implanted in the mother's womb. Introduced in the 1990s, it has allowed thousands of parents to avoid passing on deadly disorders to their children.” Are you willing to pay the price to have this perfect child? Many do not but the few that do, fully support it. Despite the limited amount of knowledge and awareness of the potential threats that are to be had by going...
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...Genetic engineering (GE) refers to the technique of modification or manipulation of genes (the biological material or chemical blue print that determines a living organism’s traits) from one organism to another thus giving bacteria, plants, and animals, new features. The technique of selecting the best seed or the best traits of plants has been around for centuries. Humans have learned to graft (fuse) and hybridize (cross breed) plants, creating dwarfs and other useful forms since at least 1000 B.C. (Pueppke 2001). There are two main arguments surrounding genetic engineering the first argument is, genetic modification of crops threatens to produce pesticide-resistant insect pests and herbicide-resistant weed, will victimize poor farmers, and is unlikely to feed the world. The second argument is, genetically modified crops hold the potential to feed the world during the twenty-first century while also protecting the environment. Norman E. Borlaug, a pioneer of the green revolution and the winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize states, “Genetic modification of crops is… just another step in humankind’s deepening scientific journey. … We cannot turn back the clock on agriculture,” he adds, “and only use methods that were developed to feed a much smaller population.” (Rodney 2000). Through out time we will be required to adapt to genetically engineered crops as a necessity to nutritionally feed the growing population. The demand of rapidly growing world population has exerted increasing...
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...Cell Biologist Essay This essay is about a female biologist. Her name is Carol W. Greider.Carol W. Greider discovered how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomeres. She is an incredible woman for finding something new. I believe that it is great that more women are now coming out and doing more, and proving that we are better than boys. Carol W. Greider was born April 15, 1961 in Davis, California. She has a husband named Nathaniel C. Comfort. She went to the University of California, Berkeley for college. Carol also got a Nobel prize in medicine and physiology. She has gotten many other different prizes but another prize she has gotten is a Louisa Gross Horwitz. The field she is in as a biologist is, molecular biology....
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...Life on Earth first started about 3.8 billion years ago and life has come a long way since then. Human Beings have always had a huge interest in ourselves, the biggest question of all is how do we work and where do our gean come from? It all started with Gregor Mendel, who is know as the father of genetics. In 19th century Gregor started a pea plant garden for crossing pea plant varieties to prove that the heights, colors of the plant and peas, pod shapes, seed shapes, and flower positions was based on traits from the mother and father pea plates passed down to their offspring. Between the years of 1856 and 1863, he prove his hypothesis. In 1953 James Watson and Francis Crick discover the double helix structure of DNA. In James Watson and Francis...
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...From the passage adapted from the Murder Room, P.D.James uses a voluminous amount of techniques and usage of language to reveal the conditions of which the Gearings were living. One of the major techniques the author conveys is imagery. He shows us the condition of the house for instance in line 42, “the small sitting room with the flowered curtains, shabby furniture.” This was allocated to give a visual appearance on how the house was situated and also to give the readers the idea that their living conditions are destitute. Another imagery consumed by P.D.James to reveal the condition of the house were the house was security enforced with security locks, nailed windows due to Mr. Gearings disease which causes him to go in and out of the house as he pleases. The level of security also shows the possible paucity the Gearings were living and the restrictions they were to. From the lamentable scent of the heated and squalid room, one can imagine the despicable state in which the family was living. As the author describes the old eyes of Mrs. Gearings, showing the frazzled and apprehensive position she was in due to her husband’s disease. As the passage steps forward, another character trait was seen with the narrow malevolent eyes of Mr. Gearings, showing his mind set due to his disease, and also that he is particular with his surroundings. During their conversation a tip of sarcasm was used in the dialogue on lines 24-25, where Mrs. Gearings said, “I suppose were...
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...Madison Priest Argumentative Essays The Uncharted Territory of Designer Babies Suppose you just found out the good news that you’re pregnant. In less than nine months you’re going to be a mom or dad. Now suppose you have the opportunity to select what you’re newborn will look like. Do you want a boy or a girl? Would you prefer blonde or brunette hair? With technology rapidly advancing pretty soon you won’t have to hope. Instead you can sit down with your doctor and design your future child. Technology has had a remarkable effect on how we live our lives. Our generation has been labeled as lazy, technology obsessed, and many other stereotypes referring to our dependence on technology. Technology also has the ability to change the appearance and genetics of the next generation. An arising method of genetic engineering has the ability to genetically modify the DNA of a fetus to resemble specific traits. Initially, it may sound like a genius discovery. However, this procedure could change everything we know about our world. It goes against nature and can lead to severe problems. Genetic Engineering has the potential to benefit many people. New discoveries have been made to prevent autism and other disabilities that are detected before birth. Genetic modification is also what allows parents to determine many physical aspects of their future baby. Eye color, hair color, gender, height, skin tone, are just some characteristics that can be altered or enhanced through this procedure...
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...In 1962 James Watson along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded a Noble Prize for the paper that they published about the discovery of the double-helix model of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. The discovery of the helical structure of DNA is considered as one of the most important achievements in the field of the science history. However, James Watson does not deserve the recognition of discovering the helical model of DNA. Watson should lose his nobel prize, not only did he not give any credit to the person who was really the one responsible in discovering the helical shape of DNA he is also making rude and prejudiced opinions. Few people know Rosalind Franklin, a scientist who devoted herself in the scientific study of the structure...
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...In 1950, the curiosity, innovation, and persistence of James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin all together led to a detailed and completed understanding of the structure of Deoxyribonucleic acid. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the genetic material found in all cells and is the stuff that genes are made out of. Their discoveries would come to answer one of the most impending questions in the science of life. How do living things pass on traits to their children? This is the question that sparked the want and need of exploration and discovery. James Watson and Francis Crick are the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA in 1953. Rosalind Franklin was collecting experimental data about DNA with Maurice Wilkins. Watson...
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...Human Genetic Engineering Imagine being able to design your own baby before it is even born, or prevent your unborn child from a dreadful disease, or make your baby a genius or an athlete. Scientists could be opening Pandora’s Box with the potential development of human genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the process by which genes are added or transferred to alter the genetic code of an organism (“What is Genetic Modification”). Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2006, genetic engineering has developed rapidly and it seems as though a new discovery or breakthrough is announced every day. Many of the discoveries as well as future prospects have presented numerous challenges and concerns, and continue to be an ethical debate. Human genetic engineering will lead to unfavorable consequences that defy nature, lead to less diversity, and threaten our safety. Scientists are messing with nature in the process of human genetic engineering. There is a delicate balance in nature that should not be tampered with because of the unforeseen effects it could cause. With advancements in genetic engineering and new technologies, scientists are racing to uncover some profound new discovery by experimenting with our genes in a Petri dish. Manipulations to our genes are unnatural and unpredictable. It was just announced this year that the first human ear was grown from animal cells on the back of a rat (Briggs). While this major breakthrough has enormous potential for...
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