Biotechnical engineers usually strive to bring about a single genetic modification but is this possible?
Goethe beautifully expresses the reality of the unity of creatures thus:

"We conceive of the individual animal as a small world, existing for its own sake, by its own means. Every creature is its own reason to be. All its parts have a direct effect on one another, a relationship to one another, thereby constantly renewing the circle of life; thus we are justified in considering every animal physiologically perfect.…"

Now genetic modifications are brought about by considering a plant of animal in a mechanistic way, that is, that it is made up of many parts (genes) which can be altered of replaced. This approach can only lead to a diminishing of the reality and unintended consequences.

For example, the canola plant has been successfully engineered so that its seeds contain 50 times more carotene than normal. This has had unintended consequences as follows:

1. The amount of chlorophyl in the developing seeds was reduced.
2. Vitamin "E" was also decreased in the seed.
3. Some microscopic embryonic structures were altered and threadlike bodies of unknown nature appeared.
4. The amount of Phytoene was increased.
5. The composition of fatty acids was altered.
6. Germination of seeds was delayed one to two days.

In another case scientists produced peas resistant to the weevil by inserting in the pea plant a gene from beans which blocked the breakdown of starch thus causing the weevils to starve. These modified peas were fed to mice who developed an immune response, meaning that the mice produced antibodies against the genetically modified protein. When feed containing GM peas were fed to pigs and chickens they found that starch digestion in the small intestine had markedly decrease and that the growth rate of broiler chickens had decreased by eleven per cent. "Evidently, the production of substances and structures is intertwined, and it is therefore naïve to believe that one can change a single substance and nothing else. Changing one thing has multiple effects and sometimes these are a complete surprise." (Craig Holdrege)

Every creature embodies the wisdom of God who creates it which is far greater than our understanding. On the other hand, man is created by God with intelligence and understanding who may act in conformity with this wisdom to modify the creature for the good of mankind. We here must proceed with wisdom and understanding and not greed because actions based on greed or profits can only lead to catastrophic results.

"How varied are your works, LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all;
the earth is full of your creatures."
(PS 104:24)

5. Balance in Nature