What is genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering involves manipulation of cellular material to create changes in the structure of living organisms. Altering the DNA of a cell changes the attributes of cells created by later reproduction, ideally in a useful and beneficial way.

The process is used to create plant or animal hybrids, to correct genetic flaws in an animal or human, or to utilize biological organisms to produce valuable chemicals (such as insulin).

What are the concerns?

While some people might fear genetic engineering because it is impossible to know what effects modifying genes will have in the long-term, because their religious convictions cause them to believe that modifying what God made will bring about bad results, or for other reasons, not all who oppose genetic engineering do so because of fear. Some believe it is simply common sense not to mix genes of different species together like is done with the genetic modification of crops. Some have even discovered results of research that suggests genetic engineered crops are causing negative effects on the environment, so there are genuine concerns that are not based on fear that need to be seriously considered.

Advantages of genetic engineering

1. Disease could be prevented by detecting people/plants/animals that are genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases, and preparing for the inevitable. Also, infectious diseases can be treated by implanting genes that code for antiviral proteins specific to each antigen. 2. Another of genetic engineering is that diseases could be prevented by detecting people that are genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases, and preparing for the inevitable. As well as preventing disease, with genetic engineering infectious diseases can be treated by implanting genes that code for antiviral proteins specific to each antigen 3. Animals and