DNA being reprogrammed
Scientist have discovered the functionality of a previously discovered repeated DNA sequence and bacterium. In 1980 a group of Japanese scientist noticed it, found it odd, and basically left it there not knowing what it did. Now 30 years later scientist have solved the mystery and it has some incredibly helpful implications. They have learned that this bacterium acts as a defense for the DNA against viruses. The DNA strand that keeps repeating is the way of recognizing these viruses. Mug shots of the viruses that have attacked it and it's ancestors. The bacterium is acting as a biological FBI. Now the real importance in this discovery is not what it does, but what it can do. This bacterium gives scientist an easier way than ever before of editing DNA code. Something that scientist have been working on for years. Now when you hear the words "genetically modified" in your favorite super hero movie, it's that much closer to being reality.
NOS:
Science is based on evidence: It took science years but in the end it proved what these things were useful for with biology.
Role of chance: The Japanese scientist were not looking for this in 1980. By chance they saw it and eventually it lead to a discovery.
Science is collaborative: Not just in the current scientific community but between the past and present too. The older scientist discovery aided the current scientists.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/health/a-powerful-new-way-to-edit-dna.html?smid=tw-nytimesscience&seid=auto&_r=0
Genetic reprogramming is very risky business, because we do not have a very good mapping of what each piece of DNA does, so even seems relatively safe to be modifying food there could be unwanted and unnoticed side effects of making that apple a little bit bigger. And taking this to a living being is super dangerous as it has been untested and would likely lead to genetic monsters.
ReplyDeleteI would think that there is the role of curiosity and motivation is article because scientists have been curious about DNA and our genetic code since the early 1900s, so I am pretty sure that scientists today are still interested to learn more about it.
ReplyDeleteNow, I've heard it said that everything psychological is biological, and that behavioral traits can be inherited and passed down through DNA. Through this would it be possible to alter a person's personality by editing their DNA, and in doing so, would they be considered the same person? Also, could this potentially be used to treat cancer by fatally altering the DNA of the cancer cells? And lastly, through Nanotechnology, is it possible to change a person's traits at will, making people stronger, smarter, and overall better than their non-enhanced counterparts?
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