Over the last decade there has been such an advancement in fields related to genetic manipulation. The Human Genome Project results were published in 2001 and that now seems like a distant memory? Only this week in New scientist, Craig Venter is stating that his research team is close to creating synthetic life from scratch (he also stated that the efficiency of biofuel production via metabolically engineered algae has improved 3-fold). Also, how can we forget the instrumental work of Jay Keasling in the same field when he announced the production of an anti-malarlial compound via genetically altered microorganisms.
But, it seems like yesterday that GM foods were removed from UK supermarket shelves? The technology condemned as 'Frankenstein-like' and unnatural. I fail to see how a few years ago, the GM food market plummeted, yet GM medicines and research is continually happening and becoming more and more exciting by the day. It seems a great anomaly to me how this technology can be accepted it certain areas and yet abolished in others? One of the glorious attributes of science is that it is universal- a rule is a rule.
When we are using biofuel from GM algae to run our cars and injecting insulin produced via GM micro-organisms, I hope that GM foods will be brought out of the closet and accepted!
What are your views on this progression?
Please Note- An expanded & referenced piece on Genetic Modification and previous is available at:
http://biochemperspectives.blogspot.co.uk/
