Glowing Monkeys

Science has always been a rather touchy subject. Back in the enlightenment period there was a continual struggle between science and religion. Many aspiring intellectuals and scientists were condemned as heretics and put to death as their views were seen to be a direct challenge to the omnipotence of God and heaven. Galileo for example was imprisoned by the inquisition for his theory of heliocentrism as it casted doubt over various Christian beliefs and Bible scriptures.

The debate regarding ethics and the morality of science continues in today’s modern world. Many people throughout the world hold strong views regarding certain aspects of science such as stem cell research and genetics. Playing God remains an acute and constant criticism of modern genetic research. The main problem with dabbling with DNA is that scientists often have no idea about the potential repercussions and consequences that could occur 20 or 50 years down the line. There is no possible way to predict genetic mutations it could happen at any time. If these genes happen to be dominant then we could see a worldwide domino effect that enables that gene to spread across the globe. We are effectively opening Pandora’s Box which will lead mankind to a dark and unpredictable road we really don’t want to walk down.

Evidence from Mexico suggests that GM genes have already spread into native maize crops. A report published in nature “showed that four of six samples of native criollo corn taken from fields contained a genetic “switch” commonly used in GM crops, and that two of the samples were found to have another DNA segment commonly inserted by genetic engineers. A further sample contained a commonly inserted gene that prompts the plant to produce a poison.

The researchers alerted the Mexican government which did its own tests in 22 communities. They confirmed in September this year that transgenic DNA had been found in 13 of them, with contamination of between 3% and 10%.”

It appears that we are already on the road. Genetic science has the ability to make maize poisonous, potentially infecting other healthy strains. It seems that we can now make lab monkeys glow in the dark; the potential for a global genetic natural disaster is not out of the realms of impossibility. Science has given humanity wondrous achievements and advances, yet it is a double edged sword tinged with danger.