No, this is no joke nor is it some new book coming out on the market. It is a real story and it results are indisputable. However, after reading the article, I must ask, are we going too far? I understand that mankind’s innate drive is to learn, create and seemingly to be God-like in nature. But we must ask ourselves: just because we can do something, is it right?
The article is a little perturbing in that it acts as if this is a great breakthrough in science. When, in fact, the introduction of genes and gene manipulation is by-far nothing new. We have been successfully placing genes into plants, animals and even humans for many years. Though it seems benign and almost a playful-like experiment, it has far-reaching implications.
Let me backtrack first before continuing with my thought. Our understanding of genetics has changed significantly since the turn of the century. No longer do we believe that one gene creates one protein. In fact, we now know that one gene can possibly produce multiple proteins and even possibly cause DNA within the cell to act differently. For example, the gene is transcribed into a messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA can possibly turn on and off different, unintended genes, which will cause different, unintended proteins to be formed. The mRNA then gets transcribed into a protein which can do the same possible thing.
What are the implications of these unintended results? Could these pigs now be inedible. Could the gene manipulation unknowingly unleash a virus hidden in the pig’s DNA. Could the presence of these genetically altered pigs now change the ecosystem?
If one recently read the news, you will recall how China just rejected a shipment of US genetically engineered corn. I don’t blame them. This corn has not been tested for safety. This corn has not been fully tested for any new or toxic changes. This corn has not been fully evaluated for its potential harm it could cause to our ecosystem.
Despite all our knowledge with regard to genetics, we are just scratching the surface. It’s like unraveling a code that took over a billion years to write. Not that I’m saying all gene therapy is bad, but I want you all to think about are the potential consequences of this research.
THE ARTICLE LINK IS AS FOLLOWS:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2529901/Scientists-create-glow-dark-PIGS-injecting-jellyfish-DNA.html