“With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race. But it will be a slow process because one will have to wait about 18 years to see the effect of changes to the genetic code.”

Simplified Meaning:

Imagine that you have a garden, and in this garden, you want to grow a variety of flowers that are more beautiful and resilient than the ones you currently have. You decide to start modifying the seeds to make them better. This is similar to genetic engineering, where scientists can change the DNA in our bodies to enhance our abilities or health. However, just like how it takes time for a new flower to grow from a seed into a mature plant, changes in DNA will take a long time to show their effects in people. If you make a change today, you won't see how it turns out until the child who was born with that change grows up, which takes about 18 years. For example, if parents today use genetic engineering to help protect their children from a certain disease, they might have to wait until the child is an adult to know if the change worked as expected. This means while we can make humans healthier or smarter, it won't be immediate; instead, it will be a gradual improvement over several generations. People should think carefully and be patient because these genetic changes are serious and long-lasting. It’s like planting a tree: you plant it now, but you may not get to enjoy the shade and fruit it provides until much later.