Synthetic Biology's Role In Overcoming Cultural Differences

“Do-it-yourself biology” or “DIY biology” is a social movement rooted in the idea of citizen science. Usually called biohacking, emphasizing the relationship with hacker culture, this form of public engagement in science has been the subject of controversy since its inception.

It is incredible to see how far genetic engineering has come. Humans, plants, and any living organism can now be manipulated. Scientists have found ways to change humans before they are even born. They can remove, add, or alter genes in the human genome. Making things possible that humans (even thirty years ago) would have never imagined. Richard Hayes claims in SuperSize Your Child? that genetic engineering needs to have limitations. That genetic engineering should be used for medical purposes, but not for “genetic modification that could open the door to high-tech eugenic engineering” (188). There is no doubt that genetic engineering can amount to great things, but without limits it could lead the human race into a future that no one

Humans are on a constant quest in the search for perfection and advancement in all areas of life through progressive scientific knowledge. From such a stance, the future of humans appears boundless with all the potential possibilities biotechnology provides, but such developments will cause ethical, social and biological implications.

People need to realize that the world is actually doing this for the better. Imagine being able to prevent disease in humans and all other organisms with the help of producing medicine with animals. “I don’t think anybody in the world will turn down a drug from a transgenic animal if they need it… Or a transplant.” (Anthes, 54) A transplant!? Oh yeah, this science is advancing so much that they are developing ideas that intend to allow humans to safely and effectively use similar organs found in animals such as pigs to be used for transplants such as livers! Now it’s starting to make sense why scientists are doing what they are. They are not trying to harm anyone, and so far they are doing a pretty good job. Society seems to believe that this developing science is harmful to the world, and is unfair to animals. That should not be societies outlook; in fact it should be quite the opposite. 97-99% of people at least occasionally eat meat, that being said it seems most people truly don’t have a problem with how animals are treated on farms just to be made into food, so biotechnology should not be accused for mistreating animals and their conditions. Biotechnology is not doing anything worse than we already are; as a matter of fact it’s helping the world most likely once its influence

Scientists have yet to perfect the system, and are still working out fine details. Paul Knoepfler explains that people could see GMO humans within the next 50 years. In China, modern scientists are currently working on the interworking of CRISPR and its capabilities. Using CRISPR is simple, and almost anyone can do it if they have a lab. It's incredibly easy, powerful, and interesting, but hasn’t been perfected yet. Chinese scientists are using human embryos to eradicate genetic disease- and were almost successful. Out of the 76 embryos they used, 54 were tested on, but only a few actually showed the synthetic mutation placed by the scientists. Modern technology could forever change with the use of

Now there are some people that are strongly against this.There are many people that believe scientist are ‘playing God’ by changing the gene of people.But genetically engineering isn't just for modifying humans but also for curing some disease.It's called gene therapy and it had cured some disease for example Cancer, Aids and much more.It’s better for us to act than to not act at

In his Article “Let’s play God! Gene drives could be a powerful new tool to manage wild ecosystems”, Ronald Bailey explains why genetic engineering causes unease in some people. “WOULDN 'T IT BE great if scientists could genetically engineer mosquitoes to be immune to the malaria parasite, thus protecting people from that disease? How about restoring the effectiveness of a pesticide by eliminating resistance genes in weeds and insect pests? Or altering genomes to eradicate a pesky invasive species? These are exactly the sorts of things that a new biotechnological tool could do--and that 's got some people worried.” Introducing new

Since the inception of domestication approximately 10000 years ago, humans have been selectively breeding animals so that only their desirable traits remain, a process called artificial selection. Through artificial selection we have been creating species that perform tasks more efficiently and effectively, and serve our needs in a multitude of ways. Furthermore, the benefits of artificial selection are remarkably similar to genetically modified animals in many key ways. The increase in resilience, pharmaceutical benefits, and productivity are just a few of the many significant reasons why genetically modified animals should be supported and accepted in our world today.

Over the years, there have been many significant developments and discoveries in the large field of science. One such development is the creation of designer genes. Designer genes are genes created or modified by genetic engineering. These genes can have a number of different uses. They can be used for producing things for research or medical treatment, or be used to give a baby better genes for strong development. Some religious and moralist groups argue that these designer genes are a bad thing because they will result in a world with humans whose genes have been altered and carefully selected for only the best traits. While this is true, it also allows for us as a society to get rid of problems like impaired seeing or hearing, and it allows us to screen infants for any potential fatal genetic diseases. Even though designer genes do raise ethical concerns, they are ultimately a good thing for society because they allow for us to have an opportunity to eradicate dangerous inheritable diseases.

These are changes that I will make and cause the influential change to the world that is possible. The impacts that this would have on society and the millions of lives is something that I care very deeply about. I would be able save those millions of people from death and be that someone who raises the quality of living. I want to be that someone who creates a new era in life with a flourishing aspect of science, medicine, and motive to develop innovations that revolutionize the world. I have been interested in genetic engineering for about two years, doing online research, reading books, and thinking of the possible products and innovations that could be made using that technology and knowledge. The field that got me to know about genetic engineering was human augmentation. Human Augmentation is the process of creating an application that can be applied to the human body to further its capabilities and performance than a standard body. Some applications already created are prosthetics, exoskeletons, and neurostimulation. These products are able to broaden the restraints of the body similarly to the capabilities that genetic engineering has. Having the opportunity to create innovations to improve the quality of life for everybody is something that has always grabbed my attention. Genetic

We’ve all heard innumerable stories of half-humans and shapeshifters, transgenesis and cyborging, genetic superpowers and mutations. The concept of genetically engineering humans was once confined to the world of fiction, but now those once impossible ideas have seemingly become attainable. Female scientists in the United States and Sweden recently discovered CRISPR-Cas9, a sophisticated gene-snipping technology that is much easier and cheaper than other methods. This sudden development has motivated many to start experimenting, and researchers have been able to stop cancer cells from multiplying, make cells impenetrable to the HIV virus, and create a fungus-resistant wheat that could solve world hunger. Overwhelmed by this advancement,

The parade of genetically engineered marvels, during the past recent years, has been shocking: “Flavr-Savr” tomatoes that stay fresher longer; “giant salmon” that grow 37 times faster than the normal fish; “transgenic” pigs that are injected with human genes which causes them to produce milk with human protein that prevents blood clotting; and “supermice” injected with rat growth genes which makes them grow twice their normal size, are just a few.

Gene combinations can be made naturally by sexual reproduction, but reproductive mechanisms limit the number of combinations that can be made. Genetic engineers can make any combination they want if there is a gene for that trait. This unprecedented ability to mess around with genes allows endless possibles that genetic engineers can put together (Wells, D). Who knows what could become of our world when we allow ourselves to play God. This specific part of science is changing the world we know and creating more problems dealing with ethics.

By 2000, robotics, will increase planting and harvesting efficiency. But the biggest change is the revolution of genetic engineering. Already in hundreds of trials, gene manipulation in plants has created variations able to withstand lethal environmental conditions and pestilence. Creating new animal "replicants" is so near on the horizon, you can't get a clear missile shot at it. Moreover, although the United States pioneered the biotech, other countries are hot on our heels. The implication of this race is simply put by OTA's Michael Phillips: "We've been leaders in basic research, but adapting and getting it to industry and marketplace has proved a stumbling block. And whoever gets to market first, wins." (Omni, New York, Jan 1993)

Human beings have been genetically engineering animals for thousands upon thousands of years. As a race, humans have been selectively breeding plants and animals to carefully pare down deficiencies and maximize utility. Biotechnology is, for all intents and purposes, the same idea with new tools. Specifically, as defined by the BBC, "biotechnology includes any use of science or technology to alter the characteristics of a breed or animal" (BBC, 2014). When discussing the genetic engineering of animals, it is important to keep the welfare of the animal in mind. Often times, discussions about biotechnological advancements in animals sprout questions about the effects on society, potential health risks posed to humans and cost. Very little is ever afforded to animals in the way of rights, since outlining clear rights for animals would reveal genetic engineering to be unethical. As noted earlier, animals have intrinsic value. Recognizing that intrinsic value requires humans to decrease the number of animals being subjected to conditions as if they were nothing but