Students from Room 20 at Tauranga Intermediate School share their thoughts on genetic modification.

I believe that the genetic modification of humans and animals is dangerous and unnecessary. As great as it would be to produce a person who could fly, there are simply too many risks and dangers that could occur. The lifelong effects from an accident involving genetics are imaginably rather serious, and no living creature deserves to live with the drastic effects that could be inflicted upon them in the event of an experiment going wrong.

Some may believe that it is fine to practice the unpredictable genetic procedures on animals, but in reality it is cruel and inhumane, and therefore should not be allowed under any circumstances. Perhaps instead of craving the powers we cease to possess and likely never will, we should embrace our current selves and those around us. In conclusion, there is no reason to test these potentially dangerous procedures on any human or animal. We should learn to enjoy the traits and abilities we often take for granted, and if we want to tamper with living organisms? We need to perfect the technology and procedures involved first.

E Mitchell, TIS.