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During the last 10 years there have been
some big breakthroughs in gene technology. Genes are the main
unit of inheritance in all living things. They determine what
we are and who we are. They determine whether a living thing
becomes a human, an animal or a plant. They influence its appearance,
size and other qualities. New procedures relating to genes such
as cloning and genetically modifying food have been developed
in recent years. These developments are controversial because,
although they could bring great benefits to humans, they could
also be harmful. In fact, many people are asking whether scientists
should change genes at all, for any purpose.
Although cloning is still very new, it has had one very public
success. In 1997 Dolly the sheep was produced from a cell taken
from an adult sheep, but without the help of a male parent.
This is an example of reproductive cloning. Scientists hoped
that this technique could be used to produce identical, superior
farm animals. However, it has not been very successful so far,
and many cloned animals have died soon after birth. The cloning
of humans, while it seems technically possible, needs a lot
more research.
Cloning technology also has many medical uses. It has the potential
to cure many diseases and help people live longer. Many scientists
believe that one day body parts will be cloned in laboratories.
If so, diseases like diabetes and heart disease could be treated
using cloned tissue and organ transplants. Millions of lives
could be saved by this type of cloning, which is called therapeutic
cloning.
Genetic modification (GM) is another recent scientific development
that has raised many issues. In GM, the genetic material of
cells is altered to change the plant's or animal's characteristics.
For example, scientists have produced plants which are resistant
to disease and insects, and which therefore give better grain,
fruit and vegetables. Animals have also been genetically changed.
On the one hand, these developments can improve food production
around the world. On the other hand, there are fears that GM
food may not be safe. More research is needed into the effect
of adding new genes into any animal or plant. Research is also
needed into the effect of GM foods on the people or animals
that eat them. In a recent case, a genetically modified vitamin
tablet killed 37 people and damaged another 1500 for the rest
of their lives.
These two developments in gene technology, although meant for
positive purposes, open a door to negative and therefore controversial
uses. Cloning and GM foods have changed and will continue to
change the way we live.
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