The future of genetic engineering is in the eventual manipulation of human's genes. The possibilities that this opens up are remarkable.
Early detection of hereditary diseases could help to prepare people before they get to sick or hurt. Infectious diseases could be combated with the implantation of genes that fight them. Animals and plants can be genetically engineered for "desirable characteristics [or]…genes could also be manipulated in trees for example, to absorb more CO2 and reduce the threat of global warming" ("Genetic Engineering Advances").
We also talked in class about the eventual possibility of being able to manipulate a child's genes before they are even born. This could be used both to help prevent them from having a disease or disability but it could also be used as a way for parents to basically order the kind of child that they want.