Genetic Engineering: Playing God
[The following has 3 research sections and 1 opinion section.]
Genetic Engineering Part 1: Explanation and History
Genetic engineering is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “the group of applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology used to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics.”
A real life example would be Humalin, derived from bacteria to create a cheap and quick insulin for diabetics. A more fictional example could be any ‘dinosaur’ from the Jurassic Park series. [None of them are true dinosaurs and are really a mix of various animal DNA to create a pseudo-Dinosaur.]
Given the definition using the term ‘biotechnology’ a form of genetic engineering has existed for thousands of years. This form was human directed, and is linked to the domestication modern pets and also the rise of agriculture, through artificial selection. Dogs were domesticated about 12,000 BC and the cat about 2.5 thousand years later, then livestock between 9000–8000 BC.
Agriculture through this method is theorized to have been done in the Fertile Crescent 10,500 to 10,000 years ago, firstly with emmer and einkorn wheat. This would have been done via gathering wild plants and then sorted in villages for harvesting and sowing. Agricultural development that arose independently of the Fertile Crescent [Northern/Southern China, New Guinea and areas of North America] had crops including emmer and einkorn wheat; barley; peas; lentils;bitter vetch; chickpeas and flax. [These are known as Neolithic Founder Crops.]
Now, Humans played a major role in affecting the ways these organisms evolved through selective breeding, hybridization and a Human-influence natural selection. Grafting also played a role, albeit smaller.
Now, genetic engineering we know of, through more modern methods is the true topic and we should get to it. With the findings of genetic inheritance, DNA and the double helix. In 1970, about a hundred years after the discovery of inheritance, restriction enzymes were uncovered. These specific enzymes are for splicing DNA at specific points. With this, scientists were able to separate specific genes and also made it possible to merge different pieces of DNA together into rDNA. In addition, plasmids were useful in the process of transferring and replicating DNA sequences. PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) allows small sections of DNA to be copied and expanded, making it easier to study and separate the genetic material.
Research showed some bacteria is able to take and express foreign DNA (Natural competence). Using this method, science was able to transfer this ability into other organisms and the modern genetic engineering method was born. Early examples of this being used on animals is mice having foreign DNA embedded into an embryo. Another example was tobacco, when it was mixed with a resistance gene.
Genetic Engineering Part 2: Pros
There are dozens of pros and cons to the concept of genetic engineering. First, we shall go over the pros. When you think of genetic engineering, I think of GMOs, our food. Through this form of science, we have achieved better nutritional value, taste and abundance of our food. Soybean, rice and tomatoes are some of the biggest subjects to this. Another interesting pro is the ability to grow food where it previously couldn’t be. (Example: Corn in the snow or something along those lines.) Alo, we have pest resistance and longer shelf-life. A method is using the gene At-DBF2 in tobacco to increase survival rate in rough soil and harsher climates and conditions. In the future, scientists hope to be able to broaden the sphere of creating new foods all together.
Another field is the medicinal and research field in terms of animals. For example, there has been cases of testing the effects of cancer on mice in search of a cure. Other tests are disabling or activating genes, or using mice (or other animals) for insulin development. (Cloning sometimes can be considered in this realm, but they are two very different concepts/)
The next pro(Or con?), and perhaps the most controversial is that of human engineering. What if we could totally prevent genetic diseases and deformations? If we can cure fibrosis or cancer? Perhaps totally extend the Human life. This is what science is attempting to achieve.
Genetic Engineering Part 3: Cons
Now, we are focusing in on the cons. Here is where things can get tricky since some cons can be complete contractions to the pros. An example is it could actually nutritional value, not improve it. This is possible through accidental mutations, side effects and plant allergies.
The next issue is the effects on the environment though GMOs. Pesticides and herbicides are often used alongside GMOs. Also, the effects of the GMOs can directly harm unintentional targets like bees and butterflies. Both of whom interact with these genetically altered plants and are killed or injured through that interaction. Also, the long term effects are not known and pests can adapt, effectively making GMOs more deadly than useful. Adding onto this, GMOs can be invasive and take over an ecosystem because of the resistances, as well as hurting biological diversity.
Now, take these issues and place them into a Human body. Unwanted mutations, toxic makeup, limiting diversity are some of the many possible effects genetic mods could have on the Human body.
A more indirect, but still serious issue is the possibility of monopolies on the food industry. Or worse, a monopoly or wealth owned industry for Human genetic mods.
Genetic Engineering Part 4: Reflection & Opinion
As most of you know, I am a Green Anarchist and that belief will surely influence my ideas. As great as the concept of surplus and better(?) food is, there is a lot of problems and unanswered questions. We haven’t seen the long-term effects on us, the food we eat or environment. However, there has been an outcry from sources such as American Academy of Environmental Medicine who said this in 2010, “There is more than a causal association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation”.
There have been studies using NK603, a Monsanto corn variant. The test involved feeding this corn to 200 rats, and the results were shocking. 200x 300x faster tumor growth, liver and kidney damage. They also died faster than the group not fed any of this corn. And if you say “those are mice, it doesn’t count” then why do we use Mice for most of our research? I’m sure if GMOs benefited Mice, you’d use it as a source too. Now, I simply fear there can be long-term effects on animals and us, and we have seen it in these tests.
Now the most important part to me is the effects on nature. Many of the chemicals have done irrevocable damage to the environment. Monsanto’s Roundup chemical, which doesn’t affect the engineered plants, has created superweeds and superbugs, who have built resistances. While some believe GMOs have lessened the use of pesticides, they have actually seen increased use! This means we ingest even more chemicals, and so does the environment, such as soil and rivers. Essentially, the more GMOs, the more chemicals..
https://www.honeycolony.com/article/gmos-seeds-of-sickness-part-1/
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/how-do-gmos-impact-people-and-the-environment/
