Gene Technology and Ethics

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Genetic Modification

Genetic modification of microorganisms

Microorganisms can be used to produce substances useful to humans.

E.g. vaccines, insulin and human growth hormone.

Techniques mean that these substances can be produced on a mass scale.

Benefits:

Human growth hormone

Human insulin. This is better than pig insulin as it is less likely for a human to reject it and fewer ethical implications.

Hazards:

Bacteria - contain antibiotic resistance which we don't want to release.

Virus - protein coat goes into a vaccine. Although it is a deactivated form, the main function of a virus is to take over and disrupt the genetic material. This could potentially result in mutations which can cause cancer.

Genetic modification of plants

Resistant to fungi, disease, and drought, etc.

Possible source of increased food production, e.g. in areas where crops may not usually thrive.

Benefits:

More food available

Higher yields

Increase nutritional value

Hazards:

Allergy

Superweeds due to seed dispersal

People concerned that intake will affect our genes

Known examples:

Golden rice - vitamin A

Plantain - Kenya put zinc in as they don't eat a lot of meat which is rich in zinc.

Soya beans resistant to herbicide, so you don't have to selectively spray weeds. However, GM seeds can be expensive.

Genetic modification of animals

Disease resistant

Ability to survive a variety of environments

Fast growing

Greater mass

Massive impacts on ability to produce medicine for humans (such as the case of pharming), and food for people

Benefits:

Stop disease

Goats - medicine/silk (for bullet-proofing, stitches, and limbs)

Hazards:

Welfare of animals

Known examples:

Mice - growing organs

Mice - knock out all genes to see the effects

Gene therapy

In humans, you could treat debilitating diseases, e.g. autoimmune diseases.

Somatic cell gene therapy - replaces the mutant allele with a healthy allele in somatic body cells.

Germline cell gene therapy - inserts a healthy allele into the germ (generally egg) cells.

Could allow people with normal lives to have unaffected children.

Potential to wipe out genetic-based diseases.

Playing God

Narrows gene pool - reducing genetic biodiversity.