A Modest Proposal

There is a trite scene that awaits those who travel through these school hallways; it is replete with students who physically and emotionally abuse one another, and the air is filled with the sound of hurtful words ridden with scorn and sometimes shouting can be heard resulting from a physical skirmish here or there. For those victims who make it past graduation without succumbing to damnation first, they enter a life of psychological trauma that is almost irreversible at least not without extensive and expensive treatment. As for the abusers? They will most likely go on abusing anyone they please; this could take the form of the harassment of coworkers, or perhaps the physical and emotional abuse of a significant other and their future child.

            

My intention is to benefit the lives of everyone who is bullied for being different: it’s not just confined to little Jimmy in biology who is a little quirky, but instead it extends to everyone spanning from across the globe composed of varying races and cultures who experiences prejudice.

            

I have been assured by scientists that the field of genetic engineering has a simple solution to this problem that could be available within only a few decades; therefore, I offer it to the public to take into consideration genetically engineered babies. I have been told that it’s a rather elementary process, almost primitive if I should be so bold to add: just deleting a DNA sequence here and adding a new one there, so why stop at designer dog breeds when the possibility of designer children exists?

            

By changing the look of people before they are even born, scientists can guarantee that everyone looks identical, and if everyone looks the same, then no one would be bullied for being different. Obviously people can be different in other ways besides appearance, but soon enough genetic engineers will be able to manipulate traits such as athleticism, artistic capabilities, and intellectual prowess, so everyone will be alike in every respect. No one shall ever again be bullied for being too smart or too dull, too tall or too short, too feeble or too feeble-minded.

            

I realize that this technology will not be available to everyone as a result of financial insecurity, but not to worry: only about 30% of the world population is below the poverty line which means that only 2,100,000,000 people will not have access to designer babies. As for the rest of the 4,900,000,000 humans who will produce genetically engineered children, according to my calculations in as little as seven generations they will breed out any of the non-desirable traits from the gene pool by reproducing with non-designer humans and passing on designer traits to those offspring via their genetically modified DNA.

            

I hope my proposal will not be liable to the least objection, but I do not favor my own opinion so much that I would reject any offer proposed by wise persons, which are found to be equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual, but since something of that kind has not been advanced in contradiction to my scheme, which, as it is wholly new, so it has something solid and real, of no expense and little trouble, let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of raising awareness to the general public of what atrocities are being committed against their children: Of creating better organizational support as a means for students and employees to seek refuge or report abuse. Lastly, of normalizing diversity so that instead of feeling hatred towards anything that is different, it becomes just a normal part of everyday life.

            

I announce, with deepest sincerity, that I have no personal gains to be made by promoting this motion. As I have said before, this technology will not be available for decades; in which time I will be far beyond my child bearing years, so I would not be able to produce any genetically engineered children. 

Gene Network Associated with Alcoholism

This article states that scientists at the University of Texas have identified a network of genes that work together in determining alcohol dependence. These findings could lead to future treatments for alcoholics and allow doctors to screen for alcoholism.

Even though genetics play a role in alcoholism and addiction, the tendency for dependence to be genetically linked is more complicated than the presence or absence of any one gene. However, this study is the first time that scientists were able to use RNA sequencing to identify a specific group of genes that, expressed together, are highly correlated with alcohol dependence.

The identification of genetic factors and networks in the brains of alcoholics gives drug researchers more information to work from and may one day allow for better screenings to evaluate a person's risk for alcohol dependence, even before the onset of heavy drinking.

Possible New Treatment for HIV/AIDS

An article published on November 7, 2014 states that scientists at Harvard Stem Cell Institute have used a gene editing method to create what could be an effective technique for blocking HIV from invading and destroying patients' immune systems.

HIV enters T cells through the gene receptor CCR5, and once it is inside the T cell, HIV replicates and kills off the host cells, leaving patients at the risk of infection.

Using the CRISPR/Cas gene editing technology, the scientists removed the CCR5 receptor from blood stem cells that could produce blood cells that did not have CCR5.

In theory, gene edited stem cells could be introduced into HIV patients through a bone marrow transplant to make immune systems HIV-resistant, and the researchers believe this new approach to HIV therapy might be ready for human safety trials in less than five years.

However, even if this new approach works perfectly, it will require additional developments to be applicable in the areas of the world that have been the hardest hit by the epidemic.

For instance, 26% of the adult population in Swaziland is affected by AIDS. Swaziland has been marred by political and civil unrest. As a result health services are poorly equipped, so even if this new technology is commercialized it is unlikely that it will be available in the countries that need it the most.

Satirical Cartoon Analysis

This cartoon illustrated by Chris Kelly demonstrates the power that companies responsible for genetically engineered products have over the public, and the lack of their transparency.

Kelley conveys the immense power that these businesses have over the people by depicting them much larger that the consumer.

The cartoonist expresses the lack of transparency of biotechnology corporations by only showing the legs of the personification of GMO creators. By omitting their face, the industry is unrecognizable and remains anonymous. Since consumers do not know who is producing their food, they can not trust them.

The cartoon above by Chris Kelly was published 15 years ago, and in that time nothing has changed. Corporations are still not required to label if their foods are genetically modified. This is a problem because I firmly believe that consumers have the right to know what they're ingesting.

Biofuel

Hey there everyone!

An article by Kate Yandell highlights recent advancements in genetic engineering that has created strands of yeast better suited for biofuel production.

Baker's yeast plays an important role in ethanol production because it can covert sugar and starches into biofuel through the process of fermentation.

Normally, ethanol in high concentrations disrupts the potassium and proton gradients across the membranes of the yeast which means that the ethanol punctures the membrane of the yeast and disrupts the yeast's intracellular pH and potassium concentrations. So by engineering yeast to over-express proton and potassium pumps, researchers were able to increase ethanol production.

A separate group of researchers from Sweden were able to engineer strands of yeast that can withstand higher temperatures. This is an important milestone because currently, biofuel producers must use energy to constantly cool their yeast since the yeast generates heat as it ferments sugar.

Normally, yeast is most productive at 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but by engineering wild-strains of yeast to have an ERG3 mutation the yeast was able to thrive 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Good News for the Environment

Hi there! I've found a couple of articles about promising technological advancements that could greatly benefit the environment.

The fist is an article written by Kate Yandell titled Engineered Microbe Could Ease Switch to Grass. Researchers have discovered a new approach to converting switchgrass into ethanol that eliminated the need for the grass to undergo chemical treatment. Switchgrass is an ideal choice for creating biofuel since it is abundant and it is not a food source like other plants that have been chosen to be converted into ethanol (e.g. Corn). Even though this technology is not ready to be commercialized, the study highlights the potential of this emerging technology.

In other news, Ancient DNA Could Return Passenger Pigeons to the Sky.

I'm disappointed that the authors of this article did not examine the possible environmental consequences of bringing back a species that has been dead for roughly 100 years. If this animal were reintroduced into an environment where it has not been present in about 100 years would it be like introducing an invasive species? Has the ecosystem evolved to function without the presence of this organism since it's extinction? Would said evolved ecosystem be thrown off balance if this organism were reintroduced? Or would it go back to the way it was before this species went extinct? And the same questions apply for any other species that scientists may want to bring back that have been extinct for an even longer period of time

However I am excited for the other environmental benefits of this technological discovery. This same technology can be used to save endangered animal and  plant species from extinction and help boost their population into the safe zone.

Medical Advancements Thanks to Genetic Enginering

Hello everyone! I have come across some exciting news concerning the medical field pertaining to genetic engineering.

The less recent news is that scientists think they have found a way to prevent Malaria by altering the DNA of mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2012 alone there were an estimated 627,000 deaths worldwide as a result of malaria. Not only can this technology prevent the deaths of thousands of people, but also it can be used to make weeds that have evolved to be resistant to certain herbicides become vulnerable to them once more, and this is great news for farmers and consumers alike.

In other news, researchers have come across promising results for a treatment for leukemia which involves genetically programming T-cells.

(Tiny magnetic beads force the larger T-cells, an immune cell, to multiply to produce more cancer killing cells. Penn Medicine.)
Even though the treatment has not been perfected yet and still produces concerning side effects, the results of the study were more than scientists could have hoped for.

Op-Ed Piece: Mitochondrial Manipulation Technologies

This post shall provide commentary on an article written by Marcy Darnovsky titled Genetically Modified Babies.

Through the citation of scientific studies such as the researchers at Oregon Health and Science University, Darnovsky presents ample research and background which establishes credibility.

I agree with Darnovsky's concerns that the science is still too dangerous and primitive. I find clinical trials of these procedures carried out on human beings to be premature. The science is still new, and has not been studied enough to guarantee its safety; therefore, I feel that the British regulators who are eager to move to clinical trials would be wrong to do so.

Darnovsky also mentions that ethical and social policy issues are issues that must be addressed, and I agree with her in the sense that people who want to use this technology should take it in to account.

However, I don't agree with her criticism of he F.D.A. advisory panel for considering only the scientific aspects of mitochondrial manipulation technologies. I don't feel it is the role of the F.D.A. or any other organization or single person to decide the moral code for millions of people. As long as the technology is not hurting anyone, I think it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they want this procedure based on their morality and other personal factors.

I also take issue with Darnovsky's assertion that,"Genetic modifications of sperm, eggs, and early embryos should be strictly off limits."

I believe that mitochondrial manipulation and other technologies designed to prevent heritable illness needs to be studied much more to ensure that it is completely safe, and after mastery of this technology has been achieved, then it can be implemented.

I feel that mitochondrial manipulation can be used for a noble cause: allowing women to have biological children without the risk of fatal ailments that are passed from mother to child. I feel that Darnovsky approaches the subject coldly, and detaches herself from the emotional motives behind this technological innovation. She does not take into enough consideration the perspective of the mothers who face these issues. I think parents should be allowed to take advantage of the opportunity to prevent their child from acquiring devastating genetic predispositions.

Opening

Hey there!
On this blog, I will we posting up to date news on the field of genetic engineering, mainly transgenics.
Transgenics is a specific genetic engineering process that removes genetic material from one species of plant or animal and adds it to a different species. Transgenic biotechnology presents a vast range of possibilities, which includes preventing/treating disease, among other possibilities. Unfortunately, the profit from genetic engineering is accompanied by some concerning setbacks. These setbacks have been the cause of multiple ethical issues, and throughout the year I will examining these issues, and be offering my opinion from time to time.
The debates I hope to cover include but are not limited to:

• What, if any, social and legal controls should be placed on research?
• Who will have access to these technologies and how will resources—such as medical advances and treatments—be distributed?
• What, if any, research in genetic engineering should be considered morally impermissible and banned (ex: research undertaken for offensive military purposes)?

Besides the abstract moral debates surrounding genetic engineering, I will be covering concrete scientific advancements in the field. As a student of the veterinary science magnet, I have been taught some background information on genetic engineering concerning crops and livestock. However, I would like to examine the influence of genetic engineering on a broader scope which is not limited to consumption. Such advancements include bio-luminescent trees to replace streetlights, among other innovations.