Eileen Yap 17/03

Improving on nature In view of todays scientific advancements, should this be embraced?

Modern scientific advancements possess the ability to improve on

nature, the living things around us and especially our own lives. I believe
Clear introduction
that this is a great opportunity to alleviate the sufferings of humanity, and
to be able to improve on certain aspects of nature that have caused us
harm. Considering that Man already possesses this capability, we should
embrace it with open arms, but proceed with caution.
Firstly, humans will be able to lead better quality lives than before,
should we choose to embrace improvement on nature. Todays scientific
advancements may help to prolong life and even give Man eternal life. Good
Diseases such as small pox, which used to plague the world, have been
contained. What nature cannot give, scientific advancement can. Take for
instance the area of medical science. Doctors in the US have been
researching on laser coronary angioplasty to remove plague that causes
coronary damage and reduces blood flow. In addition, the success of the
South Korean scientists in cloning human embryos can confer on human-
tissue repair therapy. Cell replacement therapy can give hope to those
suffering from Parkinsons Disease, as it has the ability to generate
specialized cells to replace old or dying ones. From these examples, we
can clearly see that improving on nature through therapeutic cloning
should be embraced because we give hope to those suffering from A well structured and
well developed para
disease. If we let nature take its course, many talented people will be
wiped out. We should embrace this opportunity to reduce or even
eliminate the harm done by nature to the bodies of people.
Moreover, the mapping of the Human genome can help to locate a
large number of mutations responsible for hereditary diseases. Naturally,
future generations may suffer the way their forefathers did from such Illustrate with examples
diseases, but by improving on nature, scientific advancement may be able
to cure these people. We should not try to restrict or ban such scientific
research. The ones that lose out in the end are ourselves. We should not
allow unnecessary fears to prevent us from seeking better lives. In
addition, todays scientific advancements can produce designer babies,
where parents can choose what characteristics they desire in their
offspring. It gives a chance for Man to improve on nature. If the child
turns out ugly, wouldnt it be better if the parents could improve on what
nature has given them? Any deformities or disease could be stopped so
that the child would not have to suffer in life. Hence, I believe that we
should embrace this improvement on nature. We should not compromise
on what we already have or what we can achieve.
We should also improve on nature because humans can create better Show here how nature
food for our benefit, in the form of genetically modified (GM) foods. We is limiting
should embrace this scientific technology because there is a greater need
for more food supply. The worlds population is increasing at a geometric
rate, and there will be greater demand for food. Farmers in many
developing countries are suffering from poverty, partially due to the
effects of nature, such as pests, droughts and famines. By improving on
nature, their crops and herds can then flourish, and these people may be
able to break out of their vicious cycle of poverty. For example, better
fertilizers and seeds, as well as pest resistant crops can help increase their
income. GM foods are more resistant to pests. For example, genetically
modified papayas are resistant to the ring spot virus. Therefore, Man
should embrace this positive expectation that our lives can be made better
through the improvement of nature.
However, there is a certain limit to such scientific research and we
should be aware of where to draw the line. We should embrace it, but step
forward with caution. There may be undesirable consequences and we
may end up not improving nature at all. For example, genetically So? What is the
produced salmon grew too big and turned green. In our excitement to problem?
research into therapeutic cloning, there may be a tendency for abuse and
production of human clones, which may turn out to be freaks instead.
Moreover, we are currently improving on nature, at the expense of
nature. Many animals are ill-treated and used as laboratory experiments.
Their lives are not valued as they were born to suffer in the course of
improving on nature. For example, the Harvard Mouse carried a cancer
gene that could be passed on to the next generation. These creatures No flow between the 2
suffered because of our experimentation on the disease. points. Avoid beginning
The US adopts a puritanical view of therapeutic cloning and the with an example.
Bush Administration has banned all forms of cloning. However, I believe
that we should at least embrace the spirit of improving on nature but with
caution. Countries like Britain have spent about 2.6 million pounds to set
up the UK stem cell bank. They encourage therapeutic cloning under
strict regulations. Although there is the tendency of undesirable
consequences or abuse by researchers, I think that we should embrace
improving on nature and strive to make our lives better instead of being
resigned to our fate. Since scientific advancement provides us with such
valuable opportunities, let us not waste it just because of our fears.
In conclusion, we should embrace improving on nature as it is
definitely a better deal compared to just letting nature take its course. We
should not let our fears and suspicions stop us from leading better lives
and stop the world from being a better place.

Tutors Comments: An essay that addresses the question. A generally well organized and well
structured essay that was focused on the issue asked. Good paragraph development of points but
work on establishing better flow between points. Also some bits of the paragraphs need more
development. Use the first body paragraph as an example of a clear, well developed paragraph.

Content: 20/30
Language: 14/20
Total: 34/50