Biotechnology has made great strides in medical and pharmaceutical research in recent years. However, biotechnology organizations and projects continue to face hurdles in implementing new technologies, especially those that are very complicated or involve multi-organ systems. Unfortunately, there is an urgent need for a well-funded organization that can support and expand the field of biotechnology research.
One way that such an organization can help resolve current difficulties is through the development of genetic engineering techniques that can be used to mitigate threats to plant and animal species. A number of tree species have already been genetically altered through hybridization over the last 50 years. The American maple, black walnut, and redwood trees have all been modified to resist a particular weed killer, among other things. Even more recently, tree species in the Amazon have been altered to grow without the use of pesticides. Find out more about Lindsay Alan Giguiere.
In the case of genetic engineering and the protection of endangered species, one technique that has been used is the use of "terminator seeds". These modified seeds have been designed to kill any insects or predators that eat them within three days after they have been planted. Unfortunately, these engineered seeds have caused an increase in weeds within the surrounding vegetation. As a result, farmers that rely on the Amazonian forest for their produce cannot rely anymore on these forest trees. To offset this issue, a report released by the World Wildlife Fund called for releasing millions of acres of urgently needed primary rainforest vegetation back into the environment.
The report also suggested a plan for how to protect the remaining forests and restore the ecological balance. This would require not only additional research but also a major commitment from the biotechnology industry. One of the ways that this could be achieved is through a project called "Genetic Roulette", which would use genetically engineered (selected) mosquitoes to target the West Nile virus.
A project like this would bring together health and agriculture experts from around the world. This would greatly reduce the cost and difficulty of implementation. It would also help to raise awareness among the general public about the impact of insecticides and other chemicals on the environment, our health, and the planet as a whole. If the report's suggested citation of health and biotechnology industry solutions as a path to solving these problems is anything to go by, then this can only be seen as a positive step forward.
One issue that the report did not address was the social and ethical issues involved with the field of health and biotechnology. The main complaint seems to be centered around the fact that genetic alteration of living organisms is banned in most countries under which the technology is practiced. As a result, the biotechnology industry is not seen as being all that responsible when it comes to dealing with genetically altered food. The suggested solutions to these concerns do not seem to take into account the impact of this on human health. While the introduction of genetic engineering techniques could potentially create new solutions for health and nutrition, it is important to remember that the field of biotechnology is just beginning and that there are always more issues to be addressed. Learn more about Lindsay Giguiere Greenfield Groves.
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