Genetic Engineering as the Promising Fields of Biotechnology - Essay Example

In the paper, Dickos (2011) gives a detailed account of the background of the science behind the various genetically engineered animals. The current regulatory framework existing through agencies like FDA is examined and exhorts that its authority to regulate new animal drugs (NADs) should be fully implemented. The paper examines the problems with the current regulatory scheme in light of three recent examples concerning GE animals. Starting with the first commercial GE food the Flavr Savr tomato in 1994, human beings have manipulated the genetic makeup of more than 60 plants and animals to introduce both agriculturally beneficial traits like disease and pest resistance and also for nutritional benefits like modified oil in soybean.

While GE organisms open up innumerable benefits including mass production of beneficial hormones and proteins and increasing the nutritional value of the product, Dickos (2011) also warns of the risk of unintended effects of the manipulated genes which can result in the formation of changed metabolites and also health risks like toxicity, environmental risk and can prove to be harmful to the animal itself. The paper provides the case study of three GE animals the GloFish as a pet, the ATryn Goat as a drug, and, the AquAdvantage Salmon as food provide prime examples for evaluating FDA’s 2009 Guidance and it also raises the concern of non-labeling of GE products by FDA.

Dick also provides necessary recommendations for proper governance of the development and use of GE animals and products. A similar article about the development of genetically modified cows to produce healthier milk was reported in The Telegraph (2012, June 17) by Richard Gray. Genetically modified cow capable of producing milk that can be consumed even by people with lactose intolerance and a second animal whose milk possesses Omega3 fatty acid were created by Dr. Zhou Huanmin and a team of the Key State Laboratory for Bio-manufacturing at the Inner Mongolia University.

Scientists like Wendy Higgins and others people raised the issue of the safety and ethical correctness of these activities through the article. Even though both articles deal with the same issues, the writing style and tone are different in both. The first one is scientifically oriented written with authority and with in-depth analysis of each factor involved. The strength of this article is that it is more authoritative and scientifically supreme but it can be difficult for a layman to comprehend the issues laid.

On the other hand, the second article is more general and less oriented to scientific details. Language is simple to make it understandable and readable by the general public. Words from authoritative people like scientists are directly quoted to make the article credible. The science of genetic engineering is the ‘future science’ having the potential to create, refine and define the existence of all living beings of nature. Through recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, it is possible to manipulate the genetic makeup of organisms, introduce desirable traits, provide disease resistance, and mass produces desirable metabolites.

Even though this science is having a strong foundation, it is the responsibility of the scientific community to ensure that Genetically Engineered animals and their products in no way will harm the balance and tranquility of nature. All the implications of gene manipulation should be taken care of to avoid harm to humans, the environment, and the animal themselves. The final guidance was issued by FAD for industry on the regulation of genetically engineered (GE) animals and provided a set of recommendations to producers of GE animals to help them meet their obligations and responsibilities under the law (FAD, 2009).