The Gene Factory is a biotechnology book that was written in 1985 by an author named John Elkington. Biotechnology is seen as a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioproceses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. (Wikipedia) Elkington provides an overview of bioengineered plant seeds, to self shearing sheep and biochips, super vaccines used in medical and pharmaceutical drugs as well as food and agricultural bio utilization.Chapter 1
Elkington explains the
break through of Mendel Pea Plant Generation and the cross breeding genes and how offspring characteristic are determined and inherited through genes.
Elkington explained the Genetic Alphabet and how (DNA)deoxyribonucleic acid is the structure of life, and it's relationship to the chemical structure of A-T and C-G strands and the formation of 2 identical DNA molecules. He goes on to explain the basic relation between RNA and DNA genetic formation.
Chapter 6
Takes a look at how plant breeders insert foreign genes into plants, enabling them to yield more calories and protein; to resist major crop diseases and flourish even in times of drought, to resist extremes heat and cold, to be resistant to herbicides used to control weeds, flourish without any need for artificial fertilizers, and how plants cells produce chemicals, such as drugs, perfumes and food additives when grown in laboratory cultures. (Elkington)
Lets take A Look at A Few Examples....
Proptoplasts : are plant cell whose walls haven been dissolved by enzyme or weakened by an electric field, 2 protoplasts from different plants to fuse into a single cell, combining there distinct genetic characteristics
- basic manipulation is said to be the transfer of genes form microbes to plants, plants to microbes and plants to plants
Plant Breeding: is the transferring of a protein from a seed to the cell of different plant family, changing the genetic of the plant
- first success seen was transferring of a protein gene from a bean seed to the cell of a sunflower, a different plant family, dubbing the new plant tissue the sunbean, becoming a great break through due to being stable and producing messenger RN
Cloning of oil palms and other plants crops
- The Coconut palm was the first application of this technique to a major food crop.
Nitrogen Fixation is the process of cross-breeding two different varieties of the same plant to produce new seeds.
- 1 problem seen with this is that the high pressure, high temperature equipment used makes it unattractive long term solution to the crop fertilizer needs.
- also the pollution in the river and water supplies it may cause
- A benefit seen, is that by 21st century billions of people can be feed from this.
Hybrid seeds is the process of Cross-breeding 2 different varieties of the same plant to produce new seeds
- Thus also seen as the future of planting and feeding
- problem with this, is they are not true seeds, therefore farmers have to purchase new seeds every year, where as normal seeds can sometime by used for the next year
- also prices can be 3x as much
This chapter showed great relationship to that of Caritas In Veriate. One thing that stood out was Caritas In Veriate talks about the economy and finance, which is seen as an instrument and can be used incorrectly when those at the helm are motivated by pure selfish ends. Biotechnology being the instrument which can be good within it self, but used or misuse in the wrong way can become very harmful.Chapter 12
Where is biotechnology going????
Pesticides being developed from pheromones and insecticides, the idea being that insect will come to the insecticide on their own.
Endorphin providing a new generation of pain killers
Vasopressin forming memory-boosting drugs
Biochips replacing the microchip or even being able to operate inside humans, monitoring water pollution, helping diabetic patients monitoring glucose, or even altering pacemakers
What is being said???
There has been much debate about genetic engineering and the attempt of scientist to play God. In 1980 an unlikely alliance of Catholic, Jewish and Protestant church organization stated in a letter to President Carter "We are moving rapidly into a new era of fundamental danger. Arguing that the same engineer that is doing these things for a good cause is the same engineer that can cause danger". (Elkington)Ethical concerns has also been expressed that high-value crops will one day been grown in laboratory fermenters rather then importing them from dependent economies. According to Caritas in Veritate he would say that you have to consider the common good, besides the food of the individual, this a good that is linked to living in society, it is the good of all of us, made up of individuals, families and intermediate groups who together constitute society. What is the good in genetic engineering and how can it be added to society?
The world is changing and biotechnology is becoming more main stream, it makes you stop and think, are we moving towards the world of the "Jetson" man-made and controlled for the sake of a better society or for pure profit? Where are we headed and is it for better or worst? In many cases, while reading I believe that the decision making of biotechnology and bio-engineering should be looked at from a moral stand point vs. a business ethics basis. Is everything that is being created and produced a way to enhance our lives or to just see what the next researcher is able to discover first? How do we determine this middle ground and what is to far and what's not far enough? This is a touchy situation with a lot of ethical boundaries that can be crossed.
Hi Karmen,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book. I often wondered what the process was for bioengineering plants and food products or if it was healthy and safe for an individual to eat. You did a nice job in describing some of these processes.
I found an article on EBSCOhost about religious optimism towards biotechnology so I can see how you feel it relates to Caritas In Veriate. It doesn’t look like most religions have an optimistic viewpoint towards biotechnology. You can read the article at (you’ll have to type in your BB ID and password for EBSCOhost). http://research.carlow.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=11da0ae0-2f8d-451f-b342-b6e1ad0a3318%40sessionmgr112&vid=8&hid=102
I try not to eat hormone injected meat, or drink milk with hormones, and I try to buy foods that are mostly natural but most of the time the consumer can’t tell if the product has been bioengineered or not. I plant a vegetable garden every year and most of the time it doesn’t tell you if the seeds have been genetically altered. I look for words like heirloom so I know the seeds haven’t been altered. I’m not sure that bioengineered food has been around long enough to know if it’s bad for people. I think you are right in thinking that some of it is good and some of it is not.
When it comes to human biotechnology I don’t feel we should be cloning people but if scientists can develop organs or limbs it might be a good thing. There is an article that reviews four books on the subject of human biotechnology and its consequences at http://research.carlow.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=11da0ae0-2f8d-451f-b342-b6e1ad0a3318%40sessionmgr112&vid=9&hid=102 (it's on EBSCOhost so you have to put in your id and password). One of the opinions is that human nature can be unpredictable so one scientist wants to use human biotechnology to breed dignity in human nature. We are at times unpredictable and humans rage war, murder, steal, but I would be against such human bioengineering because I believe this needs to be left to God and a world full of dignified humans may not be all it seems. The differences between each of us is what makes us unique and special. Biotechnology can be good in many things but it can also be harmful. I'm still unsure about the whole process.
Hi Connie,
ReplyDeleteYes this book was very interesting and at times very technique so I tried my best to make it as simple as possible without going into too much details. While reading I had the same questions as you, how healthy and safe can this for humans and ultimately what will the end side effects be. Heirloom is something new to me, I’ll have to be on the lookout for it when the nest time we buy tomato seeds, I’m not a big gardener but I try to plant something once in a while.
I really don’t know how I feel about biotechnology either, I do think someone with the wrong ethical principles or means can misuse this technology in a harmful way in society. Sad to think like that but look at the times we live in not really peaches and cream. However I feel you made a great point about cloning organs or limbs for human benefit. I feel this is a very touchy case and ultimately it depends on who is doing what with the research they are given.
This sounds like a really interesting read. While growing up as a child in the 60s and 70s I remember hearing "better living through chemistry." I can't remember if that was a DOW slogan or who it was. On the one hand, farmers have been genetically engineering plants for centuries. I've been growing the same beans for over 16 years and I'm always choosing the beans from the strongest and/or tastiest plants to save for the next year. I had two plants cross over the years and the beans are now blue! I purposely saved the bluest seeds over 3 years and I now have a new bean variety! They call that an f4 hybrid. So in one way it can be a good thing when you create new plants that reproduce "true to form" meaning that the seeds you save will produce the same plants. F1 hybrids will not.
ReplyDeleteI'm completely against crossing genes between plants, other animals, bacteria, and viruses. I've read so much over the last three years about nutrition since becoming vegan. Nature, as it is, always gets it right. Tinkering in this way serves no purpose except to give control of the food supply to a few multinational corporations. We already grow more than enough food to feed the entire world. Hunger is a political problem. We don't need "better" plants. We need better companies!
Karmen, nice job on reviewing this book. It looks like it may have been difficult to read, interesting but difficult. Good connection with the Caritas In Veriate article how it talked about economy and finance, which is seen as an instrument and can be used incorrectly when those at the helm are motivated by pure selfish ends. Biotechnology being the instrument which can be good within it self, but used or misuse in the wrong way can become very harmful. Biotechnology is a field that I often feel concern about and wonder if workers are ethical?
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure how I feel about genetic engineering when talking about groceries or anything else for that matter. But I will say, I am amazed when in the grocery store you can fill your cart with “genetically engineered” type foods for the amount it costs for a few fresh fruits and vegetables. However, I feel that with all of the people in the world and with the increasing number of weather tragedies affecting our crops that there is a need to work on how to make more food. I don’t know what that will mean for the health of humans in the long run.
I agree that it is difficult to find a middle-ground, to know when it is too much. Unfortunately, I think that the greed of humans will ultimately cause grave problems in trying to get there first, make the most money or be the best.
Hi Karmen!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like an interesting read! I think you did a wonderful job reviewing what looks to be a difficult subject matter. Like some of the other that have posted here, I try to avoid genetically modified foods. While I realize that it can prevent certain pests and allow crops to grow in environments they normally couldn't handle, it still just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Why mess with nature?
Excellent connection between this book and the Encyclical we read as well. I agree with Colleen in that biotechnology could be ripe for abuse and used as in instrument of greed.
As with anything, I just try to stay all natural. Cleaners, healthcare products and foods. I just don't feel comfortable with all the chemicals being injected into our foods and all of the genetic modifications that are being done as well. This topic just concerns me in that where will it ever end? Who is truly monitoring these companies that are doing these tasks and how can we truly be sure they have our best interests at heart and not just their bank accounts?
Excellent post Karmen on a really interesting book! It was easy to understand and filled with great points. Very educational for me because I am not very up on all of this. I agree with Colleen that if it is used for making additional organs to help people then I am all about it but to actually clone a human, that scares me to be honest! Everyone is unique in their own way and we should let nature take it's course.
ReplyDeleteI also have to say Jim, that is so neat that you now have blue beans! That is an excellent point example!
I would love to plant my own garden this year, is it too late or do I have time?
Great job!
Karmen, very impressive post! It seems like this may have been a challenging book to crystallize into a concise easy to understand post and you did it well!
ReplyDeleteI'm for quality of life so processes that make that more of a possibility usually get my vote. For example, using the technology to grow new organs or cure diseases are something to be grateful for, in my opinion.
Collen makes an excellent point when she said it is cheaper to fill your cart with engineered food than it is to fill a basket with fresh natural food. It is surprising when you can read the ingredient labels of food products only to realize there is no actual food in the product.
I think industrialized farming, while for the most part, I hate it, is going to be an industry that is hard to get rid of particularly if we want "cheap" food and as long as so many Americans cling to our current national palettes with such staples as steaks and burgers. The natural life cycle of animals and the acreage required to raise them naturally is just not conducive to the way Americans eat today and the sheer number of people who need to be fed.
I also think the industrialized farming lobbying organizations are so well funded and run that it will be difficult to get what is best for the people when their profits are at risk.
Connie also brought up the point that one scientist wants to breed dignity into human nature! To me, that is unacceptable! Who is the person, institution, or organization that gets to define and decide dignity...that is scary in that just having that idea screams ego and arrogance to me.
Hello Ladies & Gentlemen,
ReplyDeleteI would like to start by first thanking everyone for the complaints of the book review break down, yes this book was a difficult book to review but it was a very interesting we well. I was able to find out a lot of facts about this topic that I never knew. I have to be the first to admit I’m not really a label reading precautions person when it comes to buying food, so after reading this book I’m now more aware of what is going on behind my meals.
I do think this would be a great book for you Jim seems that you know a lot about the topic and seed breading so I would really recommended it too you. It seems that in most cases we can see the balance for genetically engineered food and how or why it may be needed. As Colleen pointed we have seen a lot of tragedies on our crops lately and recalls on vegetables that we are consuming. Therefore, one day the importance to all that we can know about this topic will be greatly valuable. However, I think it will come down to a personal preference to buy genetically prepared food or not. Overall, I feel just like any business this can have its ups and down and ultimately it depends on the companies’ ethical responsibilities and the person or persons in charge of mentoring them. As someone pointed out to me ultimately are society is ran off of money and development/research to finds new was to continue that wealth, so there will always be a need for continually finding new ideas. It’s more so trying to find the balance of when to and not use those ideas, what is morally or ethical right or wrong.
From Matt D
ReplyDeleteKarmen,
I think many people are going to read about this subject and decide either for or against as if it were a black and white issue. I’d like to ask the class why not yes and no? I’m not in favor of of a hard-line approach to biotechnology with respect to agricultural engineering across the board but I happen to believe it’s not a bad way to help put a serious dent in the world’s hunger problem. Consider the expense and energy associated with the various world relief efforts. There are populations in certain places on this planet that don’t have enough to eat. Perhaps the government is corrupt or the region is overcrowded. Bioengineering isn’t going to help the people living in deliberately oppressive societies but it would definitely call attention to the situation in those areas for the people. On the other hand, consider the people indigenous to areas that simply aren’t fertile and can’t yield consumable vegetation. Bioengineering can theoretically provide food to these areas. For the first time in history, in some areas, worthless uninhabitable land could be used for development. I think the discussion needs to be case by case on this issue.
--Matt D.
Very compelling insight Matt D. :-)
ReplyDeleteKarmen,
ReplyDeleteEspecially in 2011, I can empathize and appreciate the position of the Catholic, Jewish and Protestant church organizations. I have always maintained that we are on a slippery slope. Bio-chemical weapons stem cell research, cloning, bio security scans---it makes me wonder if our own MATRIX is not on the horizon. However, there are valid concerns sorrounding biotechnology; here’s looking on the darkside:
- Genetic pollution occurs where the artificially produced species reproduce at a higher rate compared to the wild species present and cause extinction.
- Species that are produced have side-effects such as a short life span, prone to diseases and mutations and physical defects.
- Expensive and advance technologies need to produce and maintain genetically engineered species.
- Hybrid species created may harbor new strains of diseases or viruses that is produced from the altered genes…And that’s just to name a few.
The Jetson’s didn’t have to deal with any of that crap.
http://www.hannanewcombe.com/biotechnology-pros-and-cons
Matt great points and I do believe that this is a topic you’ll either agree with or not. Ronya those are valid concerns that I believe either one shares, I believe as Matt stated this should be looked as a case by case situation.
ReplyDeleteHello Karmen, great post! I agree with everyone else that this did look like a difficult book to read. Your post made the material easier to understand, so great job with your post!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading my book, and now your blog I am very wary towards hormones and pesticides in food products. Although they serve an initial purpose, the consequences in what happens after the fact seem to be not worth the original idea. The modification of food products also seems like something I would avoid. I am going to try and stick with organic foods found in nature.
Great job tying your book to the Caritas In Veritate. It is important to remember ethical boundaries when making choices. From reading your blog, and Ronya's recent post I think that I will stay away from these modified products. I think that I would like to read the book, however, to better inform myself on the topic.
To answer Matt's question: I do think a case by case basis is a good idea, although I still feel I am mostly against it. It's just not natural and as Karmen's book pointed out...it can be damaging to the environment. I also have concerns with the potential health issues caused my bioengineered food! More and more we are filling our bodies with damaging chemicals and the like. This potentially heads in that same direction and so I am hesitant to support it.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that there are some really interesting points made here, I can see both pros and cons. In the food industry, bioengineering could help reduce food allergens and promote optimum qualities in a food, but may cause other allergens to form and natural species to become extinct. So how do we go about finding out what is right?
ReplyDeleteI think that evidence needs to be obtained about the current problems and then bioengineering could piloted and studied and then be used to help improve or solve the problem, especially if there are no known risks. The new product or solution created from bioengineering, should then be studied closely over the long term.
Hi Karmen,
ReplyDeleteGenetics was one of my favorite subjects in college and I have only previously heard of this book, but now I am going to have to read it! I think you did a great job outlining the chapters of this book and giving definitions of key terms. Nitrogen fixation sounds very promising for our future since it uses microorganisms and the earth’s natural nitrogen cycle. However with progressing biotechnology, I feel that scientists could eventually only create foods or substances that are nutritionally healthy or required by our bodies. I attempt to eat healthy, but it seems if you try to avoid one thing, you get an excess of another. I do not want to be around for the day when all of our meals come in pill form, but something needs to curb the increasing obesity in America.
Citizens are left to trust that what scientists produce and claim their products offer won’t instead harm them in the long run. We hear a lot these days about radio waves emitted from cell phones and the risk of cancer. It may be ten or twenty years from now before someone develops cancer that they can trace to cell phones, and then it will be too late for the majority of us. Presently, I don’t think many consumers are knowledgeable enough to know when a product has been biotechnologically engineered or what that even means. Educating consumers will be key to the increased adoption of biotechnology because it will help to rid them of their fears and skepticism.
There are so many great comments on this topic. As a scientist myself, I know what extensive research and experimentation go into making advancements and biotechnology has the potential to solve many of the world’s issues. However, it only takes one corrupt person to develop and distribute something potentially harmful. I have faith in biotechnology if it is used where it is needed, but I also fear that someone will find some way to abuse it.
Hi Karmen,
ReplyDeleteI find this topic very interesting, from ethical, business, scientific, and nutritional perspectives. As a Registered Dietitian, I have had some exposure to this…it is a hot topic in nutrition right now!
Genetically Modified (GM) foods have been present in our food supply for awhile now (since approximately 1996). They are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and do not require specific labeling, unless they are nutritionally different from the natural food. According to Karen Lilyquist, PhD, RN, RD, LD (2010), “An estimated 60% to 70% of food products in local grocery stores contain at least one GM ingredient, but due to relaxed laws and regulations, the U.S. consumer has little knowledge of which foods contain these ingredients. More than 100 varieties of 50 different crops are available for cultivation. Soybeans, corn, rice, tomatoes, potatoes, and canola are all genetically engineered (GE) foods that have been approved for commercial use.
In a Today’s Dietitian article, Lilyquist explains some of the key debates surrounding the issues of GM foods. If you are interested, you can check out the archived article at: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/050310p42.shtml. One of the top debates, currently, is the potential for GM foods to alter food allergenicity. Little evidence exists to support or refute the use of GM in the commercial food supply. Minimal testing of GM ingredients occurs, and there has been no evidence of harm. I think that Lilyquist’s article sums up the debate well, “is the absence of proof the same as the proof of absence?” If a problem does occur, it will be too late to make a recall. Karmen, I think that your reference to Pope Benedict XVI’s “Caritas in Veritate” was well chosen for this issue.
In the meantime, I think that this issue exposes the need for consumer education, as well as the need for more scientific evidence. If you are personally alarmed by this information, all I can say, is that currently if your food is “certified as organic” or states “GMO free” then it does not contain any genetically engineered food ingredients.
I feel that this is a great example of an ethical issue that affects us all. Any thoughts?