genetic change - biotechnology Flashcards
biotechnology
The use of living organisms or their products to create new ways to improve human health and the environment.
medicine, industry environment and agriculture
social implications involving animals
concern that novel animals viruses will affect humans
animal genes are used in plant products (vegetarians)
religious - pig genes used in other animals
adding human genes to animal genomes immoral?
The prince of wales famously objects to such ‘human act of creation’
social implications involving plants
“unnatural” genes from GMOs to the environment
cause the loss of the original varieties
new allergens may be created
vegetarians - animal genes in plants
small farmers vs big companies
future directions of biotechnology
Advancement in biotechnology is three times faster than that in computer technology
prevent/cure diseases, slow aging, prevent death
positives of biotechnology
end world hunger - synthetic meat production
longer life
genome editing and cures for diseases
negatives of biotechnology
impact on farmers
overcrowding + unemployment
issues of equity, insurance issues
monocultures
A method used in industrialized agriculture to favour genetic uniformity, that results in high crop yields under a specific regimen of irrigation, fertilization etc.
consequences of loss of agricultural biodiversity
no biodiversity → no natural selection → new strain of disease could wipe out species
