Summary
Bioengineering includes any situation in which technology interacts with a living system. Bioengineering combines engineering techniques with various subfields, such as medicine and technology, which strive to find ways of completing tasks quickly and more efficiently. For example, the devices used by medical professionals to diagnose and treat ailments are designed by bioengineers (Genevieve, 2002). Bioengineers design artificial joints, tissues, and organs. They make what was once impossible, possible. Bioengineers have developed advanced therapeutic and surgical devices, such as a laser system for eye surgery and a device that regulates automated delivery of insulin. Sports medicine bioengineers develop rehabilitation and external support devices as well as examine assisted living techniques. Developments in classical mechanics have led to artificial hearts and valves, artificial joint replacements, bone cartilage, and tendons of the musculoskeletal system. Yet with all of these medical accomplishments, there are still those people who protest that bioengineering techniques are unethical or immoral.
The controversy on bioengineering largely revolves around the concept of human morality. The idea that man can create change, alter life, and go against nature is the cause of many people who hold opposition against bioengineering. The reason that this power is opposed is because some believe it is going against god or playing his role. Others fear the outcome that could wake or the potential harm it may cause. Bioengineers will use food and animals to benefit humans in the long run. Another issue of controversy is genetically modified foods. In some countries, manufacturers do not mention on food labels that the food is genetically modified because they think that this would affect their business (Kartha, 2013). This can create chaos, because now people would be buying food and wouldn't even know what they are eating and giving to their families. Animals are used for medical benefits and the question arises whether the dangers they bring to the animals are worth it. Cloning is becoming more popular to the world, but the success rates are low ranging from one-thousandth of a percent to three percent. This means that for every thousand tries, only one to thirty clones are made (The University of Utah, 2013). In brief, the processes of cloning both humans and animals have a low chance of producing perfect clones and many people believe the process is immoral.
The controversy on bioengineering largely revolves around the concept of human morality. The idea that man can create change, alter life, and go against nature is the cause of many people who hold opposition against bioengineering. The reason that this power is opposed is because some believe it is going against god or playing his role. Others fear the outcome that could wake or the potential harm it may cause. Bioengineers will use food and animals to benefit humans in the long run. Another issue of controversy is genetically modified foods. In some countries, manufacturers do not mention on food labels that the food is genetically modified because they think that this would affect their business (Kartha, 2013). This can create chaos, because now people would be buying food and wouldn't even know what they are eating and giving to their families. Animals are used for medical benefits and the question arises whether the dangers they bring to the animals are worth it. Cloning is becoming more popular to the world, but the success rates are low ranging from one-thousandth of a percent to three percent. This means that for every thousand tries, only one to thirty clones are made (The University of Utah, 2013). In brief, the processes of cloning both humans and animals have a low chance of producing perfect clones and many people believe the process is immoral.
Genetically Modified Food Controversy
Dr. Oz investigates genetically modified food.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
80% of all packaged foods contain GMO ingredients.
Bioengineers create these new species of food by fundamentally altering their DNA.
Pros: Possibility of creating disease-fighting foods and decreased use of pesticides.
Cons: More pesticide resistance and possible organ damage.
Dr. Oz investigates genetically modified food on one of his shows. He informs his viewers of both the pros and cons of these genetically modified organisms and what to watch out for.
Check it out! http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/case-you-missed-it-genetically-modified-foods
Or watch Dr. Oz’s video here: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/genetically-modified-foods-pt-1
80% of all packaged foods contain GMO ingredients.
Bioengineers create these new species of food by fundamentally altering their DNA.
Pros: Possibility of creating disease-fighting foods and decreased use of pesticides.
Cons: More pesticide resistance and possible organ damage.
Dr. Oz investigates genetically modified food on one of his shows. He informs his viewers of both the pros and cons of these genetically modified organisms and what to watch out for.
Check it out! http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/case-you-missed-it-genetically-modified-foods
Or watch Dr. Oz’s video here: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/genetically-modified-foods-pt-1
Looking to Major in Bioengineering?
UT senior majoring in bioengineering
WorldWideLearn provides a vast amount of information on what bioengineering is and what careers are available for a bioengineering major. This website lists the various subfields of bioengineering and gives examples of their many advancements in today's world.
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/engineering/bioengineering-major.htm
Bioengineering has been vital in developing:
*Artificial hips, knees, and other joints
*Ultrasound, MRI, and other medical imaging techniques
*Engineered organisms for chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing
*Pacemakers, dialysis machines, and diagnostic equipment
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/engineering/bioengineering-major.htm
Bioengineering has been vital in developing:
*Artificial hips, knees, and other joints
*Ultrasound, MRI, and other medical imaging techniques
*Engineered organisms for chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing
*Pacemakers, dialysis machines, and diagnostic equipment
Healthline: Biomedical Engineering
Healthline provides information on everything you need to know about biomedical engineering, inlcuding its definition, description, education, and training. This website describes various subfields in great detail and offers examples of different work settings for the career.
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/biomedical-engineering#medicalimaging
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/biomedical-engineering#medicalimaging
Bibliography
Genevieve, P. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/biomedical-engineering.
Guide to college majors in bioengineering. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/engineering/bioengineering-major.htm.
Kartha, D. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons.html.
Oz, D. (2010). Genetically modified foods. Retrieved from http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/genetically-modified-foods-pt-1.
Oz, D. (2010). In case you missed it: Genetically modified foods . Retrieved from http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/case-you-missed-it-genetically-modified-foods.
The University of Utah. (2013). Retrieved from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/cloningrisks/.
Wolpe, P. R. (Performer). (2011). Paul Root Wolpe: It's time to question bio-engineering [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovV7v2XYJAI
Guide to college majors in bioengineering. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/engineering/bioengineering-major.htm.
Kartha, D. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons.html.
Oz, D. (2010). Genetically modified foods. Retrieved from http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/genetically-modified-foods-pt-1.
Oz, D. (2010). In case you missed it: Genetically modified foods . Retrieved from http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/case-you-missed-it-genetically-modified-foods.
The University of Utah. (2013). Retrieved from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/cloningrisks/.
Wolpe, P. R. (Performer). (2011). Paul Root Wolpe: It's time to question bio-engineering [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovV7v2XYJAI