Yep its pretty much exactly what you think it is, no…no, not newly discovered organisms. Oh I guess than no its exactly what you don’t think it is. Its the other kind of new organism, the genetically engineered kind.
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/12/YE_10_organisms
Being a scientist at heart I am not positive how I feel about this type of manipulation being proliferated into such wide usage. Genetic engineering is one of the most interesting and possibly advantageous sciences being researched at the moment. And because of this I am partially in love with the science aspect of the research, but maybe more in love with the possibilities that this type of manipulation can acheive. What possibilities you ask…Well the possibilities range from the ability remove greenhouse gases with plants, the ability to create new fuel through bacteria, the ability to have bacteria breakdown oil spills quicker, to allow quicker research by having bacteria identify certain chemicals, the ability to create stronger crops that can be grown in impoverished areas of the world, and even the ability to help cure diseases in humans before they occur.
However, with all of the good that is ultimately possible, just scratching the surface of this issue can bring out raging arguments from all sides about the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing genetic engineering. In fact the genetic engineering debate has already raged widely on the issue of crops. On one hand many new lines of plant can be created that can grow larger, live longer, resist insect attack, and help vaccinate those that ingest them. Thus allowing for the ability to grow crops in places where they have never been grown before thus feeding hungry people who before could not grow enough to sustain life. Also this allows for the creation of better quality foods that have more nutrients and can help our bodies in many ways.
On the other hand, this opens up a array of possibilities that are hard to imagine sitting at ones desk. The first being danger to the rest of the environment. Every living thing around us has carefully evolved to coexist with the rest of its close counterparts, by throwing new organisms into the environment catastrophic events can occur to alter the surroundings. For example the spread of the Zebra Mussel has created altered environments that disrupt ecosystems, out compete other animals for food, and cause damage to human made boats, harbors, and even power plants. This introduction is similar to what is possible when we bring in new plants or animals with genetic updates that make them stronger and able to proliferate better. Other potential problems with genetically engineered plants, that we have yet to put a finger on, are safety issues with humans. We are still unsure how these items may effect our bodies in the long run, if their is any effect at all.
So if all that can be said about plants, now what do we say when it is done to animals….. Well this raises many other questions, one of the biggest is how far and when does something like this stop? What choices must we make on a moral level? At some point does this mean that we can begin to design our own kin?
Once we have crossed from necessary modifications that help us as a people to modifications done simply for aesthetics have we taken this too far? Does the fact that we have already gotten to that point make a difference…..
