Reasons to show that genetic engineering is bad The smallpox virus was lethal until a worldwide vaccination campaign

killed all wild stocks of it. However there are two remaining stockpiles, in Russia and the US, and in 2004 and anonymous body applied to do experiments on the genetic make-up of the smallpox virus, and was approved by a WHO advisory committee [*********7]. The intention is to take a gene from the smallpox virus and transfer them to other related viruses in order to test drugs. These drugs will work against a particular enzyme, and the transfer of the gene for this enzyme is designed to protect researchers from becoming exposed to the virus. This way the drug can be tested on the enzyme without as much risk of smallpox escaping. [*********6] The argument is that the research wont be beneficial to the public as there is no threat of smallpox any longer, but the research, which has probably been applied for by US army researchers, is purely for military uses. The US army is already creating genetically modified relatives of smallpox for military purposes, and the risk is that this research is only to make their biological weapons more deadly. The only effects this research will have is to create a risk of the smallpox virus escaping, and to increase the biological firepower of the US army. [********7] While some say that this research will help us understand viruses more generally, I see no reason why the research could not be done on a less threatening virus.

Two twins were born in Brazil, one of whom had a cleft lip and palate, and the other didnt. As genetic tests showed that they were identical twins, it could be assumed that the mutation that caused the cleft palate occurred after the egg split. This means that the genetic sequences of the two twins should be identical other than the mutation which caused the cleft palate. This made searching for the gene very easy, as the genetic sequences from the two twins could be compared for any differences. The team discovered that this particular form of cleft palate is caused by a defective gene for a protein called interferon regulatory factor 6, or IRF6. The results of this study make it easier to screen for foetuses to be screened during IVF for the condition, and for them to be selected against. [*********5] This is an example of how genetic research has helped people to choose the type of child they have, when using IVF. While one could argue that people should be allowed to choose their childs characteristics, should this be extended to conditions that are not fatal? While it is generally accepted that fatal conditions should be tested for and selected against, whether this policy should be extended to things such as cleft palate is another issue.