FIGURE 15–22 Gaining More Understanding These fluorescent zebra fish were originally bred to help scientists detect environmental pollutants. Today, studying fluorescent fish is helping us understand cancer and other diseases. The fish are also sold to the public at a profit.
It would indeed be marvelous if biotechnology enabled us to cure hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, or other genetic diseases. But if human cells can be manipulated to cure disease, should biologists try to engineer taller people or change their eye color, hair texture, sex, blood group, or appearance? What will happen to the human species when we gain the opportunity to design our bodies or those of our children? What will be the consequences if biologists develop the ability to clone human beings by making identical copies of their cells? These are questions with which society must come to grips.
The goal of biology is to gain a better understanding of the nature of life. As our knowledge increases, however, so does our ability to manipulate the genetics of living things, including ourselves. In a democratic nation, all citizens—not just scientists—are responsible for ensuring that the tools science has given us are used wisely. This means that you should be prepared to help develop a thoughtful and ethical consensus of what should and should not be done with the human genome. To do anything less would be to lose control of two of our most precious gifts: our intellect and our humanity.
15.4 Assessment
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Review What is a patent?
Apply Concepts How could biotechnology affect your privacy?
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Review What are genetically modified foods?
Form an Opinion Should a vegetarian be concerned about eating a GM plant that contains DNA from a pig gene? Support your answer with details from the text.
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Review What are the main concerns about genetic engineering discussed in this lesson or elsewhere in the chapter?
Pose Questions Write three specific questions about the ethical, social, or legal implications of genetic engineering that do not appear in this lesson. For example, how does personal genetic information affect self-identity?
WRITE ABOUT SCIENCE
Biologists may one day be able to use genetic engineering to alter a child's inherited traits. Under what circumstances, if any, should this ability be used? Write a persuasive paragraph expressing your opinion.
Table of Contents
- Formulas and Equations
- Applying Formulas and Equations
- Mean, Median, and Mode
- Estimation
- Using Measurements in Calculations
- Effects of Measurement Errors
- Accuracy
- Precision
- Comparing Accuracy and Precision
- Significant Figures
- Calculating With Significant Figures
- Scientific Notation
- Calculating With Scientific Notation
- Dimensional Analysis
- Applying Dimensional Analysis