The process of manually adding new DNA to an organism is what is referred to as genetic engineering. To simplify this concept, think of it as cutting and pasting DNA from different sources inside cells where the basic goal is to add one or more new traits not already present in that specific …show more content…
In an article written by Rob Stein, the Correspondent and Senior Editor, Science Desk quotes Mark Sauer. Mark Sauer of the Columbia University Medical Center, a member of one of two teams of U.S. scientists pursuing this research, calls the effort to prevent infants from getting devastating genetic diseases "noble." Sauer says the groups are hoping "to cure disease and to help women deliver healthy, normal children." The tasks' goal would be to genetically edit the eggs, removing the abnormal genetic material. There are some ethical concerns with this form of genetic engineering, including a fear that it will lead to so-call "designer babies". Therefore, this type of genetic engineering is banned in most countries, but is an area of science that holds many possibilities.
Furthermore, when looking at genetic engineering, there are pros and cons associated with the science. The elimination of disease, including that found in unborn infants, is completely and utterly amazing. However, one must also take the ethical and social responsibilities associated with this science into account, such as the way it manipulates what many consider natural. While the debate surrounding genetic engineering continues, one cannot deny the medical breakthroughs and advances associated with this fascinating