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Where Will the Genetics Revolution Lead?
This century has seen astounding scientific and technological advancement. Developments
continue to amaze. But is all such advancement a good thing?
by Noel Hornor
July 20 of this year marks
the 30th anniversary of perhaps the most captivating moment in a century rich with
technological achievements. A few years ago U.S. News & World Report called
the first manned moon voyage "the signature of our century." With that
event mankind fulfilled a dream of decades. It seemed to many people at the time
we could accomplish almost anything.
In this amazing century one invention after another has altered forever the course
of history. Of all man has achieved, two developments seem to have brought about
more sweeping changes than any other. These are the automobile in the first half
of the century and the computer in the second.
If this century has given us future shock, the pace of change in the next century
will be even more dizzying. How fast is human knowledge advancing? "In the past
decade, more scientific knowledge has been created than in all of human history"
(Michio Kaku, Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st Century, 1998,
p. 4).
British journalist Paul Johnson adds: "We may think science moved fast in the
20th century, but we are going to be dazzled by its acceleration in the century to
come. And the rapid rise of the life sciences means that many of the changes it will
soon be in our power to make will be fundamental and irreversible" (The Daily
Mail (London), May 22).
Keep in mind, as Mr. Johnson implies, that the focus of technology has changed. Although
still prominent, the main focus of science is no longer on outer space. It is on
the inner space of the deoxyribonucleic-acid (DNA) molecule. Next century's frontier
is the science of biotechnology.
If scientists are correct in their projections, the futuristic wave of genetics will
present us with fascinating possibilities--and perplexing choices.
Genetic Engineering Already Here
For centuries mankind has manipulated genetics to ensure the passing on and strengthening
of desirable traits in animals and plants. Humanity has seen many benefits from understanding
and properly using genetics. Animals have been bred to be stronger, more hardy, to
produce more wool, milk or meat. Strains of wheat, corn and rice have been created
that produce more food while needing less fertilizer and water. Fast-growing trees
provide more lumber, pulp, fuel and shade. Even flowers are bigger, more colorful,
more beautiful than they would be otherwise.
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