If we call the 20th century the age of physics and chemistry, the 21st century will be the age of biotechnology. Since Dr. James Watson and Dr. Francis Crick discovered the DNA double helix in 1953, biology has made great progress. Nowadays, so-called biotechnology can clone a life form in addition to manipulating genes. Since the first cloned sheep Dolly came into being in 1996 in Britain, also in Korea, a cloned cow Youngrongie and a cloned dog Snuppy have been “born” in succession.

Moreover, Korean research teams found genes which control the amount of light or the degree of brightness inside a plant, and reproduced a transgenic cloned dog which takes on fluorescent color when it is given certain drugs. Sooner or later, humans will be able to transplant our worn-out organs like we exchange worn-out parts in our cars. As a scholar said, perhaps we might be the last generation who would “recognize” death.

However, biotechnology has a negative side as well as a positive side like all other technology.

First, it can cause gene pollution and ecosystem disruption. If a genetically manipulated living thing should come out into the Earth’s ecosystem, it would encroach on the territory or space of other living things using its prolific propagation power. As it will have immunity to any herbicide or pesticide, it will most likely disrupt the Earth’s ecosystem. Most probably, this kind of super plant, or super insect will come out sooner or later.

Second, there would be a problem of genetic discrimination. When biotechnology develops further, there would appear a “genetically noble class” which will have many eugenic genes and a ‘genetically poor class’ which will not have such genes. Genetically rich people who have high intelligence, mental stability and good physical ability will show their outstanding social ability and form a high society of money, fame and power which is composed of politicians, artists, scientists and athletes, so the difference between the two classes will be even bigger. Also one can be discriminated because he has a certain gene. He cannot be employed or promoted or insured just because he has a gene factor in a certain disease.

Third, there would be a disorientation of ethics. If the genes of dogs, pigs and even plants which live hundreds of years should be grafted into human genes in elongating the human life span, it would be difficult to distinguish the difference between species, between animal and plant, and between life and death, which will make people fall into a great confusion. Biotechnology could be either a boat sailing to utopia or a shortcut to dystopia. In the same way, atomic energy could be either a clean alternative energy or an atomic bomb which could destroy human beings.

In conclusion, in addition to the development of biotechnology, government authorities should conduct a wide range of experiments and research on the influences which biotechnology will have on humans, our society and the Earth’s ecosystem, and let people know the results. In this age of biotechnology, we, people in general, should not regard biotechnology as a matter far apart from us, but should be actively engaged in intervention and its discussion. When various classes of citizens living in this age, as well as scientists, government and industries, share a critical mind and reach agreement, biotechnology will be a hope to us. 

By Kim Tae-hwan

Kim Tae-hwan is a veterinarian operating an animal hospital in Seoul. ― Ed.