Genetic Engineering - Will we live 200 years?

Guest Post by Larry Maloney

Genetic Engineering means: The “Scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism. It involves the production and use of recombinant DNA and has been employed to create bacteria that synthesize insulin and other human proteins.” (Dictionary)

DNA stores information regarding every physical aspect of a living organism. The goal of genetic engineers and scientists is to analyze the structure of DNA, and develop technologies to manipulate DNA.

Imagine a future, where diseases like Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy and other inherited diseases are cured. Imagine that Cancer, heart disease and other ailments no longer exists. Imagine patients waiting for organ donations, could clone their own organs. Imagine if you could live for more than 200 years. These visions may be possible with recent developments in Human Genetic Engineering.

Genetic engineering for crops and animals have been around for a while. In fact, genetic manipulation for crops has been a studied science for more than a century. A common form of genetic manipulation is the selective use of seeds. Typically growers will select the best plants and use their seeds for the next year. This ensures that the best plants will grow yielding better results (Selective breeding). Additional changes can be introduced in the form of ‘genetic modification’. This is where hybrid plant DNA is created to yield even better results.

Hybrid crops are modified and grown which can resist disease, pests, and grow with less water, sunlight, and nutrition from the soil. Those of you who are a little older, may have noticed that fruits and vegetables in many grocery stores are larger, brighter in color and have a different taste than produce sold ten or twenty years ago. Much of the produce bought and consumed from the grocery store are products of genetic modifications. Today, Genetic manipulation and engineering of produce is a part of our everyday lives.

However, in the future vegetarians might be tempted to purchase genetically grown meats. Scientists and engineers are working on techniques for growing and cloning meats. If this becomes feasible, factories could be built to fabricate meat products from molecular proteins. A consumer could buy genetically grown Chicken, Fish and even Steaks.