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Teo's homework ** Genetic Engineering - Should it Stop? **    **By Teo Pouri-Lane** Genetic engineering is a way of changing or altering genes. Some people think there are benefits for genetic engineering and others don’t like it at all because they don’t think you should change the way things have originally been made. I think that genetic engineering is useful because it has helped scientists to understand DNA or genes, and how they help medicines, reproductive technology, and other areas.

Some of the benefits of genetic engineering just help increase production, and others help ease the treatment of diseases or save lives. Here is a closer look at some of these important pro’s:

**Creating New Organs**  - save lives **Gene Therapy** - fight diseases **AgriculturalBiotechnology** - increase productivity, make better plants **Producing Human Insulin**  - help those with diabetes.

**Gene Therapy**

The most promising benefit of human genetic engineering is gene therapy. Gene therapy is a way of treating a disease by repairing or replacing defective genes. Over the past ten years some diseases, including heart disease, have been treated with gene therapy. It is hoped, through genetic engineering, a cure can be found for other diseases such as Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis. The goal is to completely get rid of certain genetic diseases as well as treat non-genetic diseases with an appropriate gene.

Many pregnant women choose to have their foetuses screened for genetic defects so they can prepare for the arrival of a child who may have special needs. One possible future benefit is that, with gene therapy, a foetus with a genetic defect could be treated and even cured before it is born.

Another benefit of genetic engineering is the creation of better medicines. These new medicines are created through cloning certain genes. The medicines that have been created benefit millions of people worldwide.

**AgriculturalBiotechnology**

Genetically engineered organisms have many possible uses in farming, including food production, pesticides, and animal drugs. This means animals can be engineered for leaner meat, plants engineered for insect resistance, and bacteria engineered to produce drugs for farm animals.

We can have an unlimited supply of crops and a higher nutritional value in the crops by making synthetic crops using genetic engineering. The new varieties of crops that are produced using genetic engineering are generally resistant to insects and herbicides and have delayed fruit ripening. There are economic benefits to the environment and the community because of the decreased use of pesticides, which help towards a more sustainable agriculture and better food security.

Foods that are grown from genetically modified crops also have direct benefits for humans. For example, GM foods that have a higher content of iron can have a positive health effect on people who are iron-deficient.

**Producing Human Insulin**

Certain human proteins, such as insulin, are sometimes needed on demand. Unfortunately our bodies can’t produce them on demand. This can be very dangerous for people with diabetes. Through genetic engineering, insulin can be created to be ready when needed.

**Forensic Science**

One benefit of genetics that is already visible is in forensics, the use of science to solve crimes. DNA identification will greatly improve the study of crime. It may even deter rape and murder, as potential criminals may be afraid of leaving their DNA 'fingerprints' on the scene.

In conclusion, genetic engineering is beneficial for life on earth in many different ways. It can help people in their day-to-day living, their health and their food, and hopefully makes a better environment for people to live in.