"Alternative Energy and Fuel News." Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment. Web. 22 May 2010. .
This article discusses the discovery of how to synthesize the genome of tiny organisms. This will eventually lead to the development of microbes essentially from scratch. The most direct implication of this discovery is that it is being planned to be used by Exxon to manufacture algae in order to up their production of biofuels. This is the next step in genetic engineering and the technology can be used to develop research in biofuels as well as vaccines and other products.
This discovery is a pretty big step in the world of genetic engineering. However, there are some obstacles and drawbacks that the article did not address very well. First of all, the scientists have only succeeded in synthesizing the simplest of organisms. This means that there will need to be a significantly more research done in order to be able to synthesize larger organisms such as algae. Also, this discovery could lead to an even larger increase in the amount of genetically modified organisms/food that will be put on the market. This will further the debate about GMOs as well. Despite all of these drawbacks, the long term goal of Exxon and other companies is environmentally helpful. We all know that the U.S. dependence on fossil fuels needs to stop and an increased production of cheap biofuels could potentially help the problem and ween us off our addcition. Overall, if we can properly utilize this new technology, then it will be a huge step for the United States.
This article discusses the discovery of how to synthesize the genome of tiny organisms. This will eventually lead to the development of microbes essentially from scratch. The most direct implication of this discovery is that it is being planned to be used by Exxon to manufacture algae in order to up their production of biofuels. This is the next step in genetic engineering and the technology can be used to develop research in biofuels as well as vaccines and other products.
This discovery is a pretty big step in the world of genetic engineering. However, there are some obstacles and drawbacks that the article did not address very well. First of all, the scientists have only succeeded in synthesizing the simplest of organisms. This means that there will need to be a significantly more research done in order to be able to synthesize larger organisms such as algae. Also, this discovery could lead to an even larger increase in the amount of genetically modified organisms/food that will be put on the market. This will further the debate about GMOs as well. Despite all of these drawbacks, the long term goal of Exxon and other companies is environmentally helpful. We all know that the U.S. dependence on fossil fuels needs to stop and an increased production of cheap biofuels could potentially help the problem and ween us off our addcition. Overall, if we can properly utilize this new technology, then it will be a huge step for the United States.
I read this on Yahoo a few days ago and I didn't know what to think. Of course this is an extremely beneficial thing for science and even the environment, but are we taking things too far? When man first cloned an animal, Dolly the sheep, people freaked out. We weren't even creating cells, we were duplicating, copy pastaing, but with this new technology we are actually creating life. We are playing God, where will we draw the line? The moral aspect of me says this research must be stopped, but the scientific side says we need to further this until we can master nature. At the end, the moral side wins out.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting technology which is likely to have a profound effect in the scientific world. One point I consider when regarding this issue is how it will go over legally. With agrabusiness and biotech corporations (such as Monsanto & Caltech) patenting life for profit, this new technology is likely to undergo similar controversy in the legal world.
ReplyDeleteI believe that "playing God", as Sam puts it, is actually where humanity wants to go. I agree that it is an extremely beneficial technology and that it should be funded. A new biofuel to replace ethanol would be a great leap forward. It would help with the energy crisis and possibly aid with the current financial situation. But as we all know, humankind will not ever draw the line and this technology could be used for more sinister purposes. I believe that it should be closely monitered and well funded for it to have a major beneficial impact.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to find an arguement that makes toying with life for commercial benefits seem ok. Perhaps this is a "harmless" advance, but who knows where it could lead? What devious technologies could be born as a result of this? This may be comprable with the development of nuclear power, which can lead to both the good and the horrible. With great power comes great responsibility. Like Peter Parker,exxon must make the right choice.
ReplyDelete