Texto traduzido em ingles

Genetic Engineering: Forward Or Backward ?
On question that is debated these days is whether or not genetic engineering is a good thing . We're hearing this term ''genetic engineering '' with increasing frequency these days . For those readers who may not be sure of its meaning, some definitions follow . When we speak of genes, we are referring to chemical substances in the cell of living thing that establish an organism's characteristics .genetic engineering is the changing of certain genes, usually to improve an organism in some ways . In recent years, for example, certain genes have been placed in tomato plants to make tomatoes taste better and keep them fresh in supermarkets for a longer time .Cows have been treated with a growth hormone that make dairy cattle give more milk and reduces the amount of fat in the meat of beef cattle. These sound like positive thing, don't they? After all, many people say, the technology exists to improve our lives. Why shouldn't this technology be used? There are plenty of people around who oppose genetic engineering. Why? Two specific objections come to mind.One is that the balance of nature might be upset. suppose, for example, that scientists are able to genetically engineer certain plants so that insects will not eat them . This will protect the plants, but the insects will be deprived of a food supply- and other animals that depend on those insects for food will lose their food supply, too. A second objection is a moral question. Is it acceptable or right for us to change the makeup of living things? Supporters of genetic engineering say the benefits outweigh the dangers. Look at all the improvements that can be made in plants raised for food, they say. Because of genetic engineering, plants can be grown that produce more fruits and vegetables and resist disease. In a world where more and more food will be needed in the future, this is a benefit. The medical advances provided by genetic engineering, say the supporters, are