The new technology in planting crops and other plants is to genetically enhance them with biotechnology. Most of the crops are corn, soybeans, cotton and pototatoes. These crops have been engineered to produce their own pesticides. “Many Americans have already begun to eat genetically engineered vegetables but research confirms that hardly any of us know it (Pollan 603).” The biotech industry has decided that people don’t need to know they are eating bioengineered foods, so those foods don’t care any identifying labels. “Throughout Europe the public has demanded that

Although cloning is illegal in Britain and many other countries, there are no laws against it in the United States. “If such a law was passed, doctors could set up clinics elsewhere to offer cloning.” According to Dr. Ronald Munson “cloning is relatively

“A new biotechnology called the Terminator which has been developed by the U.S.D.A. is a complex of genes that can be spliced into any crop plant where it will cause every seed produced by that plant to be sterile.” (p604) Once the Terminator becomes the industry standard, control of the genetics of crop plants will move from the farmer’s field to the seed companies.

“Since the 1970s scientists have been manipulating DNA to create new forms of life, and today it’s a growing for-profit business (Gillis616).” Although there are risks and benefits of the new technology, it must be analyzed carefully and there should be alternatives to creating transgenic animals.

Someday scientists may be able to introduce DNA hybrid cells into a needy body, where if persuaded to perform as required they could make healthy heart tissue, or even grow new limbs for amputees (Barash 633). People are complete at birth, genetically speaking, but as selves they are unfinished. “Our essence is ours to choose, depending on how we direct ourselves, DNA included.”

According to Justin Gillis in his story “Keeping Them Down on the Farm” he believes that genetically manipulated and cloned cows, sheep, and other animals can be of great benefit to humans. “They see cloning as a quick, efficient way to produce animals with special genetic traits that can solve health problems.” Many people need organs and scientists could genetically alter pig hearts and kidneys to be transplanted in to humans. This would solve the shortage of organ donators saving lives. Also animals have other benefits such as producing medicines for people, such as cystic fibrosis patients.

Some topics in this essay:
Engineering Imagine, Public Radio, Times Oct99, Justin Gillis, America Europeans, Ronald Munson, European UnionSpecter, genetic engineering, Christopher Joyce, genetic engineering cloning, joyce 623, genetically modified, germ-line therapy, animals animals, technologies exist, bioengineered foods, kolata 612, engineering cloning, crop plants,