Almost three decades ago, on July 25, 1978, Louise Brown, the first “test tube baby” (Baird 1), was born. With this birth another controversy erupted: do human beings have the right to live life? Most of the concern stems from fear of control over the production and development of humans. But those who are against cloning would most likely look the other way if they needed gene therapy after receiving a grim diagnosis. There are many aspects of genetic engineering and to fully understand them it is absolutely necessary to examine them in depth. To understand genetic engineering, the key terms in this controversy that need to be defined are as follows: recombinant DNA technology, cloning, gene therapy, and the human genome project. Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic material by direct intervention in genetic processes with the aim of producing new substances or improving the functions of existing organisms. According to Gale's Science of Everyday Things, "it is a very young, exciting and controversial branch of the biological sciences." Genetic engineering has been used almost exclusively to make corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets resistant to herbicides or [that] produce their own insecticide. Both advances offer real benefits to farmers by increasing yields or farm income” (Jacobson). Genetic engineering also offers the possibility of curing diseases and bringing countless material improvements to daily life. Hopes for the benefits of genetic engineering are symbolized by the Human Genome Project, a vast international effort to classify all the genes of the human species. On the other hand, genetic engineering scares many with its potential for abuse; or in Nazi-style schemes for popu...... middle of paper ......s. Repackaged eugenics or consumer options? (Cover article).” Technology Teacher 66.7 (2007): 12-16. Academic Research Premier.EBSCO. Network. July 27, 2011 Chase, Sterret S. “Anti-Famine Strategy: Genetic Engineering for Food.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist 25.8 (1969): 2. MasterFile Premier.EBSCO. Network. July 27, 2011. Jacobson, Stephen L. “Biotechnology: Plague or Savior?”. Nutrition and Health Letter 36.6 (2009):2. Premier of academic research. EBSCO. Network. 27 July 2011 “genetic engineering”. Science of everyday things. The Gale Group, INC. 2002. Answers.com. 31 July 2011"genetic engineering". American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com August 1, 2011. “genetic engineering.” The new dictionary of cultural literacy, third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. Answers.com 01 August. 2011.