Much of the debate over genetic engineering concerns practical issues, such as whether gene alteration or its products will help or harm humans or the natural environment. Some commentators, however, are concerned with the more subtle question of what the power to change genes will do to human values.

Whether people realize it or not, technology has a major effect on the way they see the world. Both supporters and critics feel that genetic engineering may change the way people see other forms of life because it increases humans’ power to alter and control nature. Supporters say that it could increase people’s feeling of responsibility toward the environment because it increases their power to preserve the natural world or undo damage that humans have already done to it. For example, genetically engineered crops may allow farmers to use fewer...