Starting in the 1900s, scientists saw the possibilities of transforming humanity through the new science of genetics. Farmers have long used a form of genetic engineering known as selective breeding. It was not until Gregor Mendel, considered the founder of the new science of genetics, discovered the inheritance pattern of certain traits that genetics began to attract people's attention. The Human Genome Project was launched in 1990. Scientists are attempting to map all the genes in the human genome, in the hope that completing the project will bring great advances to medicine and biology. However, although genetic engineering of humans and new technologies bring many benefits to people such as scientists and parents, genetics also creates many ethical and social problems. First of all, germline gene therapy raises many ethical questions regarding future generations. . Gene therapy is generally accepted by the public. Somatic gene therapy only preserves an individual's genetic structure, so the gene will not be passed on to children. Some argue that there is no difference between injecting insulin into the body and injecting the insulin gene into the cell. Somatic gene therapy has become a standard method for treating genetic diseases. However, there is another type of gene therapy called germline gene therapy. As its name suggests, germ line therapy uses the germ cells (sex cells) of humans. The germ cells will divide to produce an organism. If germ cells are genetically modified, then of course all cells in the body will be genetically modified. This implies that future generations of this organism will all possess the modified gene. It may be a middle of paper that gives scientists the means to eliminate disorders in the human genome and will soon allow parents to choose the characteristics and genetic factors of their children. However, the risks associated with genetic engineering of the human genome are far too great. Genetic engineering is not natural; but it's not bad. Until we have sufficient knowledge about the risks of genetic engineering, the risks to all future descendants of individuals outweigh the benefits to the small number of individuals. Lack of knowledge is expected to limit progress in genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is all that nature can offer humanity. One day, when scientists actually have knowledge of genetics, they will be able to put chemicals together to create artificial DNA, just like Dr. Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, who assembles parts of corpses to create artificial life..