Genetic Engineering Past, Present and Future

So, in Part 1: Quest for the Code we watched as man strove to understand the natural world and the plants and animals in it. Slowly they uncovered layer after layer until they arrived at the very building blocks of life. we saw them study the very minutest of organisms unraveling their functions and documenting their advancements.

In Part 2: Reverse Engineering we saw the foundation of the past century give birth to brand new fields of science in which researchers began to utilize the natural functions of these microorganisms to their own end and then to replicate them synthetically. As knowledge increased we saw the ambition of experiments follow and soon brand new organisms could be patented and sold for recreational or scientific purposes. The past, the present, but what of the future? That is the subject of this article, enjoy.

Source Image Dr. William Schaffner a professor at Vanerbilt University discusses some of the risks and benefits in this CNBC video: Risks and benefits of gene editing The CRISPR system has literally revolutionized gene editing advancements, in its wake a gaining momentum and curiosity, even now sicentists are turning to gene editing in the fight against diabetes by crafting skin patches containing genes that promote insulin production. Meanwhile Canadians will be the first consumers of the first genetically modified animal to enter the food supply as AquaBounty Technologies as U.S. based company sold about 5 tons of is GM salmon fillets after being approved by the FDA just two years ago. While U.S. is notoriously strict countries like China and South Korea are taking more liberal stances on genetic modification.

China has taken nutrient fortified food to the next level. Golden Rice in 2000 contained Beta Carotene, In 2005 scentists increased the beta carotene output 22 fold and this year Chinese scientists have developed Purple Rice which produces high levels of antioxidants. In 2015 China announced creation of genetically altered human embryos which is only a short step away from one of the biggest fears of GMO technology: "Designer Babies" This could very well be the door that leads to a future envisioned by Transhumanists. The possibilites are at once terrifying and fascinating, it truly is a two-sided coin, on the one side the ability to prolong life, to improve it and on the other the sinister consequences of its misuse.

Links

GMO Skin Grafts: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/03/scientists-treat-diabetes-and-obesity-with-genetically-altered-skin-grafts.html?recirc=taboolainternal

Salmon, First GM animal to market: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/09/salmon-becomes-worlds-first-genetically-modified-animal-to-enter-food-supply.html

Purple Rice: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674205217301405