Chapter 17, Problem 1CS

CASE STUDY |Should we worry about recombinantDNA technology?

Early in the 1970s, when recombinant DNA research was first developed, scientists realized that there may be unforeseen dangers, and after a self-imposed moratorium on all such research, they developed and implemented a detailed set of safety protocols for the construction, storage, and use of genetically modified organisms. These guidelines then formed the basis of regulations adopted by the federal government. Over time, safer methods were developed, and these stringent guidelines were gradually relaxed or, in many cases, eliminated altogether. Now, however, the specter of bioterrorism has re-focused attention on the potential misuses of recombinant DNA technology. For example, individuals or small groups might use the information in genome databases coupled with recombinant DNA technology to construct or reconstruct agents of disease, such as the smallpox virus or the deadly influenza virus.

Do you think that the question of recombinant DNA research regulation by university and corporations should be revisited to monitor possible bioterrorist activity?

Summary Introduction

To review:

The opinion about the revision of rules and regulations by university and corporations, regarding recombinant DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) technology (RDT) research, to monitor the possibility of bioterrorism.

Introduction:

Recombinant DNA technology is an important DNA-based tool that has gained prominent awareness in past few years. This technology is common that allows scientists to find novel genes and its mechanism, for crop improvements, artificial protein synthesis, vaccines development, and in many more fields. Moreover, the following cases are also associated with the controversy with the use of recombinant DNA technology and re-directs the attention on the misuse of RDT by reconstructing agents, deadly infectious strains, which does not follows the biosafety measures.

Explanation of Solution

The concern about the effect of RDT on the environment is increasing dramatically in distinct ways; RDT research now a days is highly developed and implemented with the knowledge of safety protocols, e.g. construction, storage, and use of genetically modified organisms. Atrocities of September 11, 2001, the science of mass death has been identified by the growing potential of RDT. Moreover, DNA technology presents an interesting challenge to limits scientific advancements, and due to limited regulations and biosafety measures, increase the uncertainty of bioterrorism.

Access to harmful agents of disease via genome databases makes the possibility of reconstruction of biological disease-causing agents, which may cause deadly disease like influenza virus and smallpox viruses. So, to control the outbreaks, increase in the law enforcement following the biosafety measures should be monitored.

Experimental designing and publication of research data will communicate the idea by building partnerships in advanced medical research, so limits the use of recombinant DNA technology. The increased advancement of research in medical colleges and universities can also inhibit potential outbreaks by infectious biological agents. Vaccination also plays an important role in such cases.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that restrictions on research and publication of research results of RDT experiments would be carefully monitored, which further helps in controlling the bioterrorism activity.