Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products or “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use. This is a very controversial topic as an ethical decision should be made when applying this technology. It is especially controversial when talking about animals or even humans. Professor Vesna says that artists have begun to work with scientists to navigate the pros and cons of biotechnology (Vesna).
The ability to engineer transgenic animals has the potential to improve human welfare in agriculture and medicine. For example, transgenic cattle are created to produce milk containing particular human proteins, which may help in the treatment of human emphysema. Pigs and cattle can be made with more meat on them, and scientists can therefore improve the size of livestock genetically. Nuria Vazquez-Salat argues that, “Given the history of GMO conflict and debate, the GM animal future is dependent on the response of the regulatory landscape and its associated range of interest groups at national, regional and international levels” (Vazquez-Salat).
Another example is the Human Genome Project (HGP) is one of the greatest feats of exploration in our history which gives us the ability to read nature’s complete genetic blueprint for building a human building. This technology allows us to engineer desirable traits into humans such as designer babies. The baby in the fetus stage can me injected with traits that make them smarter or stronger as they grow up and possess greater intelligence or physical attractiveness. Although all of these advancements in Biotechnology has allowed us to be able to obtain these applications, its not feasible for everyone to be able to afford better foods or access to expensive technology which creates many ethical implications.
References:
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Chuang, Pichi. "Genetically Modified Animals | Pictures." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 25 July 2013. Web. 14 May 2017. Image.
"OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNOLOGY." Ethical Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2017.
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Ramírez, José Luis, et al. "The role of biotechnology in art preservation." TRENDS in Biotechnology 23.12 (2005): 584-588.
Ray, Christina. "7 Apps for Finding Non GMO Foods." Eluxe Magazine. N.p., 03 Aug. 2016. Web. 14 May 2017. Image.
Vàzquez-Salat, Núria, et al. "The current state of GMO governance: Are we ready for GM
animals?." Biotechnology advances 30.6 (2012): 1336-1343.
Vesna, Victoria . "BioTech + Art ." 8. May. 2017. Lecture.
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