A double edged sword

The answer to this question is not a straightforward one. It depends on how we define genetic engineering and “changing God’s creations.”

One thing’s for sure. Genetic engineering is a double edged sword and needs to be approached as such, with a lot of caution. There can be many implications toward genetic engineering, toward the ecosystem and society.

Different definitions

The umbrella definition of genetic engineering is how genetics of a species (or several species) are manipulated for certain purposes. This can be anything from something as simple as crossbreeding between different varieties or species, to the deliberate modification of DNA sequences. 

Crossbreeding between different variations, particularly plants, is very common and has been traditionally practiced to produce hybrid plants with better traits. A more advanced type of genetic engineering is by random mutagenesis using natural causes. For example irradiating seeds with gamma radiation or exposing certain organisms to UV lights to get organisms with different characteristics. The exposure toward gamma radiation or UV mimics what happens in nature with the help of sunlight.

Genetic engineering by deliberately altering the genome of a certain species has received much attention (and much controversy). Recently it has become even more potent with CRISPR/Cas9 technology, which guarantees that the changes will be carried on through reproduction, making the changes in a population more permanent. 

Uses of genetic engineering

Theoretically, engineering the genetics of organisms can result in enhanced organisms, mutants. You might have seen or heard of the x-men, Spider-Man, or other mutant superheroes. Although the stories might seem far fetched, there is actually a certain amount of truth in them. 

In my graduate studies, I studied methodologies to enhance specific aspects of woody plants. By studying how wood is formed, including genes involved in the process and their roles, enhanced plants with harder wood, more digestible wood, or wood with higher calorific value, etc., can be developed. So there is a lot of potential in bettering certain aspects of our lives, but then again, we know so little about the big picture and the real consequences of our actions. 

Dangers of genetic engineering

Whether genetically modified organisms cause more harm than benefit is still inconclusive. One of the best sellers of Monsanto, a multibillion dollar agricultural company based in the US, is genetically modified – GM corn. In fact, it’s only one part of Monsanto’s system of seeds, herbicides, and pesticides. Nowadays, farmers are trapped in an economic system where they need to get as much yield as they can, so they turn to companies such as Monsanto for crops that are more resistant toward pests. However, it turns out that the crops aren’t resistant after all. 

Lo and behold, the company has solutions. They sell herbicides and pesticides that are safe for their GM crops, but not so for other crops. The application of these herbicides and pesticides affect the harvest yield of farmers in neighboring fields who use natural (or other) crops, so they also have to get Monsanto’s crops to survive. The circle repeats itself, and now most of the corn crops that are being grown in the US are Monsanto’s GM corn. Obviously, GM crops are a part of a huge money machine. 

Furthermore, there is still much debate on the many dangers and uncertainties of GM crops. From a health perspective, one researcher mentioned that mice fed by Monsanto’s GM corn (glyphosate-resistant NK603) consistently developed cancer cells after 2 years compared to the control mice. In addition, there was also proof that the addition of contact with Monsanto’s herbicide made the occurrence of cancer cells worse. There needs to be more assessment, but because GM corn is a big business, information like this is being shut down and put in the bin by the people in power.

What’s ahead: elimination of malaria

With CRISPR/Cas9, genetic modifications in organisms can be made to last. In fact, with it, after several generations, modified organisms introduced to a natural population will dominate and eventually replace all natural ones. There will most likely be many unintended consequences.

One application is in the case of figuring out how to deal with malaria. Using an application of CRISPR/Cas9 called gene drive, scientists have introduced genes into the Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes so that it produces antimicrobials that inhibit the cause of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum and berghei). Anopheles mosquitoes are vectors / carriers that spread the disease, and by inhibiting the cause of malaria, little by little, malaria will be eliminated.

However, the big question is, what will happen if we release the mutants to natural ecosystems? We have limited information and understanding on the role of Plasmodium falciparum and berghei in nature. We know it causes malaria, but what if it has specific functions in nature that we are not aware of? What if cutting off its distribution will cause unwanted changes in the ecosystem that we’re not ready for? There is need for caution, but many of the big pharma and industries are pushing for the acceptance of this technology because there are many interests involved. 

What’s ahead: creation of superhumans (?)

In 2018, a scientist in China claimed to have genetically altered embryos for couples so that the resulting baby would be able to resist future infections of HIV. There is no way to confirm his claim, as the information on the parents of the baby was not disclosed. He also did not publish his results in a scientific journal, as there is still a lot of ethical debate on human experimentation.

Nevertheless, theoretically and technology-wise, his claim is not far-fetched. Scientists are currently racing to develop methodologies to cure genetic-related diseases for better living quality and longevity. However, again, whether this kind of application of genetic engineering is right or wrong is still up for debate.  

Changing God’s creation?

So, does genetic engineering change God’s creation? Man, this is a tough question to answer, and there needs to be long and tedious discourse to actually be able to answer this. Defining what “change” is, is already a challenge by itself. 

The truth is, we know so little about the effects of altering the genetics of organisms, even though genetic reconstruction happens all the time in nature. Gene exchange through interaction with different organisms, mutation by natural causes, etc. 

What’s worth noting is during my graduate years, I studied altering the genetics of forest plants to produce plants with certain criteria. Everytime a certain gene is modified or shut down, plants have compensation mechanisms to counter the effects. The microcosmos reflects the macrocosmos and vice versa, so I believe that whatever changes human beings do toward nature / God’s creation, nature will find a way to adjust.

In the end, if we define “change” as a broad term, human beings change nature all the time, at many different scales and levels. We cut down rainforests and convert them into concrete roads, we block rivers to create dams, we change deserts into greenery, etc. So change is inevitable. What we need to figure out is to be cautious and manage all of the changes we do so that they don’t come back to haunt us. Genetic engineering included.

Reflection on Surah An Nisa verse 119

Genetic engineering, changing God’s creations?

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