For years my father told me how one day we could reach the point in genetic engineering to write DNA code. Well folks, we've reached it! Craig Venter, currently viewed controversial, is our American genetic point man in history! He's built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals. With this discovery, we could find a breakthrough to combat global warming. This could unleash new energy sources unto the world.
According to The Guardian, "a team of 20 top scientists assembled by Mr Venter, led by the Nobel laureate Hamilton Smith, has already constructed a synthetic chromosome, a feat of virtuoso bio-engineering never previously achieved."
"Mr Venter told the Guardian he thought this landmark would be 'a very important philosophical step in the history of our species. We are going from reading our genetic code to the ability to write it. That gives us the hypothetical ability to do things never contemplated before.'" What The Guardian seemed to have missed is that he deciphered human genetic code four years ago.
With the good comes the bad. One could see this as exciting and promising. When I read this article I found myself jumping like a cheerleader euphorically screaming "finally!!" However, with the wrong hands, someone could use these new findings to kill someone they don't like. Someone could cause mayhem while trying to discover a solution. But, one must always remember, with the good comes the bad. This new discovery of another human mystery could lead to devastation AND to more solutions than you could have ever pondered before.
