Carisma, Nikko Angelo S.

ID: 11528125

Degree Program: BSBCHEM

Outline for Formal Informative Speech

Introduction
A. In the past, literature, in the form of science fiction describes extraordinary,
unworldlyeither ethereal or terrific, objects or beings.
B. Genetic engineering, particularly from the viewpoint of potential human genetic
modification, will not only alter the fabric of natural science, but all aspects of
humanity with its mechanism, development, and implications.
1. It makes use of mechanisms that can alter, edit, or even design genes
the informational sources of life, in organisms.
2. The development of science and technology has advanced enough to
begin thorough research on genetically modifying human beings; and
3. A myriad of implications arises with this specific development for all forms
of human affairs even outside science, ranging from ethics to economics.
II. Body
A. Genetic engineering makes of use of organisms that can directly alter genes.
1. The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology describes how we can inherit
certain traits from parents through transcription and translation to create
proteins.
a) The two may be analogized to reading a recipe for making
doughnuts.
b) The main goal is protein synthesis; each protein relates to an
ingredient.
2. Genetic engineering involves intervening with such processes for an
intended specific genetic outcome, manifested in physical traits.
3. This has produced numerous genetically-modified organisms.
a) Glow-in-the-dark zebrafish are sold for $10.
b) Nowadays, bacteria used to make cheese and yogurt are
engineered to be super-immune to viral infections.
B. Development of science and technology has advanced enough for the advent of
GM Sapiens, as Paul Knoepfler describes in his book GMO Sapiens.
1. Researchers discovered the CRISPR-Cas9 system that can pinpoint very
specific genes for traits and edit them as needed.
2. More importantly, such a system is programmable, analogous to a DNA
GPS. Applications can involve eradicating disease.
3. Such genetic changes are not inheritable, unless used to create modified
humans. Research can begin with eradicate susceptibility to a certain
disease, but may lead to the creation of vanity traits for designer babies.
C. Numerous implications arise with such a development.
1. Naturally, such can occur in technical terms as research is still
incomplete.
a) CRISPR-Cas9 edits may go wrong, and may cause even more
catastrophic health issues due to mutations.
b) Even if successful modifications are made, unexpected gene
interactions may follow.
2. Implications also extend to all forms of human affairs.
a) Ethics may ask many questions on the morality and
respectability on decisions with such technology, especially as it
plays with life.
b) A certain GMO Economics may arise, forming businesses
targeted at producing humans as products that are involved in
supply and demand.
c) Military tacticians, potentially superpowers like North Korea, may
turn to genetic engineering for power, and in effect, may alter
political situations of the worlds nations.
III. Conclusion
A. Just like in all other fields and disciplines, healthier lives for humans are
appropriate, necessary goals towards a better future.
B. However, as there are 7 billion of us in the planet, decisions on genetic
engineering must made with utmost respect and knowledge, as such studies can
directly and significantly impact all aspects of our lives.
C. With such in mind, a positive change for the betterment of society is almost
certainly in sight.

SPEECOM V24
Sources Used

I.

Nicholl,
D.
(2008). An
introduction
to
genetic
engineering.
Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.

Knoepfler,
P.
(2016). GMO
Sapiens: The Life-Changing
Science of Designer Babies.
Singapore: World Scientific.

Knoepfler,
P.
(2016). GMO
Sapiens: The Life-Changing
Science of Designer Babies.
Singapore: World Scientific.