Genetic Engineering Does Not Allow Humans to Tamper with Evolution

GENETIC ENGINEERING DOES NOT ALLOW HUMANS TO TAMPER WITH EVOLUTION.

Elizabeth Randall

Bio225

Azusa Pacific University

March 30, 2015

This paper distinctively discusses that genetic engineering does not in any way tamper with evolution. Genetic engineering is more of improved evolution; the difference between the natural evolution and genetic engineering is just the time it takes to produce new improved organisms. Hence, the paper goes against the concern of some scientists that genetic engineering allows humans to tamper with evolution.

Genetic engineering can be defined as a method used for gene manipulation. Genetic engineering in humans or any other organism can be said to be the change in the genetic makeup produced from the direct manipulation of the DNA through the use of technical methods such as recombinant DNA, Gene guns, Microinjection and Electro and Chemical-poration (Silver, 1998). Genetic engineering mainly requires a particular gene to be transferred into a host cell using vector- biomaterial that will facilitate the merging of the DNA with that of the host cell’s DNA.

The aim of the process of genetic engineering is to produce useful or desirable characteristics in an organism. It includes; additions or deletions of targeted changes to a genome. Moreover, genetic engineering involves editing DNA to produce a valuable effect, interesting enough this DNA editing can be introduction of genetic material from the same or a different type of organisms.

On the other hand, evolution refers to the process by which an organisms' DNA changes through successive generations to be better suited to the environment. Evolution takes place through gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection. Gene flow is more of mixing the genes between populations so as to form distinct traits. Gene flow spreads genes across two groups homogenizing them as a whole. Gene drifts are the statistical shift over time of how often genes that exist show their presence. Some traits become more or less prevalent with time. Natural selection allows the organism best suited to the immediate environment to survive or even flourish. Evolution does not produce the fittest organism, what it does is that it helps the organisms survive in the environment. However, it in no way prepares any organism for future demands in the environment.

 Discussing the similarity in Natural selection and genetic engineering in relation to sexually reproducing organisms, natural selection basically has four parts. These includes:-

1. Species.
2. Variation which happens to members of the species.
3. The Environment.
4. The mating phenomenon of the species.

The natural selection is always simplified by the expression:-

[Species] + [variation] - [environment] x [mate selection] = [adapted species]

Genetic engineering as previously defined is the manual editing in just the same way that natural selection occurs. By manipulation of the DNA in a Zygote we can introduce deliberate, targeted and heritable variation that can be tested by the environment. Similarly to natural selection the future of human evolution in Genetic engineering is subject to the expression:-