The Cons in a General Sense

  The technology involved in Genetic Engineering has been debated for years now and the debate cannot be won quickly. But, there are many negative aspects of the technology and these will first be discussed in a general sense.

    Biologists have argued that with the discovery of DNA and in examining the genetic code, they have come within reach of determining the form and function of organisms and can use this to create their own organisms. This can be seen in the experiments of Walter Gehring and the Basel Biocentre in Switzerland where transgenic fruit flies had eyes on its antennae. But, biologists are not closer to understanding what determines the function and form of an organism because they have just examined genes. They have concentrated more on their physical traits, and genes are only one of the necessary qualities that an organism uses to live. Biologists should examine the essense (telos) of the organism. There are many other necessary conditions for which an organism can manifest including water, nutrients, warmth, and light. This way of thinking can be compared to the early uses of nuclear power. In the past, electricity was seen as becoming very inexpensive to make it worth metering, but the reality was that society is left with a surplus of nuclear waste and the cost to clean up this problem will be harmful to future generations.

    Another general con involves traditional breeding. Critics have argued that man has always modified the genetic make-up of animals by selective breeding. Therefore is not GE similar to this concept. This notion is entirely different. Traditional breeding involves gene exchange in the proper context of the environment and the biological world. Genetically modified organisms often behave very differently when they are taken from a laboratory or testing center and put into a real life situation. For example, a gene for red flowers was inserted into a white petunia. The petunia changed to red but also created more leaves and shoots. It also had lower fertility and was more resistant to fungi. None of these side effects were predicted by the biologists involved in the experiment.

    Also in examing crosses, scientists have argued that cross breeding crosses a "species barrier." For example, we have mules which are a cross between a horse and a donkey. Also, different plants and trees have been crossed for years. But GE is different because it crosses the species barrier. Crosses are made which would never have happened in the natural world. Also in examing technology, it is unnatural, and thus GE is unnatural as well. Many biologists also argue that mankind has knowingly interfered with evolution through breeding and habitat management. But GE is much different because scrambling genomes will lead to the total destruction of evolution. New, strange species will be created.

    Many scientists also argue that GE is a very precise way of introducing desirable qualities into economically beneficial organisms. They say techniques are improving all the time and it is increasingly possible to insert genes at a precise place in the host. But this disrupts the usefulness of the recipient genome with unknown side effects including 'gene silencing' both of the inserted genes and other unrelated genes. GE cannot control the number of copies of the gene that are inserted into the host, nor where the genome will end up. Not enough is known about GE.

    It is also argued that GE uses horizontal gene transfer (a process where genes are passed from organism to organism and from species to species) and because this occurs all the time in nature (repeated exchange of genetic information between bacteria, viruses, etc.) and causes no problems, that it is potentially not harmful. But GE exposes people to the threats posed by horizontal gene transfer. People can eventually be harmed by this new transfer of genes which changes the makeup of organisms.

    GE is also very threatening and dangerous and involves taking risks. By using GE, the consequences could be disastrous and irreverisible. In addition, the consequences could take years to show and the company in charge may have long ago gone bankrupt.

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Created as part of a term project for SCEN103 at the University of Delaware Comments, suggestions, or requests to jeffmay@udel.edu "http://www.udel.edu/physics/scen103/CGZ/consgeneral.html" Last updated May 7, 2000. Copyright Jen Franchino, Vinnie Verruto, Allison Zuckerbrow,  Jeff May, Univ. of Delaware, 2000