Question
Eduard Kac engineered a rabbit to glow in the dark, just for the sake of art. If i went into the field of genetic engineering, would I be able to do something similar? If i got the necessary qualifications, would I be able to pursue my own interests, or would I be sitting in a lab making corn grow taller every single day? Im seriously considering studying genetic engineering, but it isnt worth it to me if I wont have the opportunity to become the best I can be.
Submitted by: McPhuckster
Answer
Expert response from GMOAnswers Admin_1
Thursday, 06/08/2015 19:56
Becoming the best scientist that you can be is a worthy goal. As an educator, there is nothing better than seeing students reach their intellectual potential and grow as thoughtful, contributing members of society. As much as I love to see folks having fun and enjoying their work, genetic engineering is a powerful technology and begs the question, “Because we can do this, should we do this?”
In university labs, where serving the public good is the ultimate mission (typically funded by tax payers), fun projects (glowing mammals!) would necessarily take a back seat to more weighty matters, such as crop improvement or the development of new medicines. Research universities typically have institutional biosafety committees that review and approve genetic engineering experiments before the research takes place. We also ensure that aspiring genetic engineers receive training in bioethics. For example, our UC Davis Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology doctoral degree program requires Ph.D. students to complete a course in bioethics.
If you are lucky enough to win the lotto and outfit a private laboratory, then your research priorities may be more flexible… But, even then, there are federal biosafety and bioethics guidelines governing conventional products produced by genetic engineering. In 1986, the Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) issued the Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology. The OSTP oversees the work of three federal agencies involved in regulating the products of genetic engineering (USDA, EPA, FDA). Scientists working in industry and research institutes, as well as universities, must abide by practices and policies that align with federal standards. The Law Library of Congress maintains a compilation of resources outlining restrictions on the use of genetic engineering in the United States.
Scientists and policymakers continue to work together to set bioethics and biosafety standards for the “Golden Age of Biology” we are experiencing. For example, in 2014-2015, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine undertook a study of current genetic engineering technologies in food and agriculture, A Science-Based Look at Genetically Engineered Crops (#GECropStudy). The NAS Agriculture committee’s comprehensive report, “Genetically Engineered Crops: Past Experience and Future Prospects” is expected in 2016. The report will provide policymakers with an expert, objective frame of reference to guide public policy decisions regarding the use of genetic engineering technologies in food and agriculture.
To follow national discussions on bioethics, see the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Recent reports related to genetic engineering include:
To learn more about biosafety and regulatory guidelines for federally funded genetic engineering projects, see:
With careful consideration of societal risks and benefits, scientists will continue to advance humanities’ understanding of the natural world and develop technologies to solve global challenges in agriculture, healthcare and environmental sustainability.
Answer
Expert response from GMOAnswers Admin_1
Thursday, 06/08/2015 19:56
Becoming the best scientist that you can be is a worthy goal. As an educator, there is nothing better than seeing students reach their intellectual potential and grow as thoughtful, contributing members of society. As much as I love to see folks having fun and enjoying their work, genetic engineering is a powerful technology and begs the question, “Because we can do this, should we do this?”
In university labs, where serving the public good is the ultimate mission (typically funded by tax payers), fun projects (glowing mammals!) would necessarily take a back seat to more weighty matters, such as crop improvement or the development of new medicines. Research universities typically have institutional biosafety committees that review and approve genetic engineering experiments before the research takes place. We also ensure that aspiring genetic engineers receive training in bioethics. For example, our UC Davis Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology doctoral degree program requires Ph.D. students to complete a course in bioethics.
If you are lucky enough to win the lotto and outfit a private laboratory, then your research priorities may be more flexible… But, even then, there are federal biosafety and bioethics guidelines governing conventional products produced by genetic engineering. In 1986, the Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) issued the Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology. The OSTP oversees the work of three federal agencies involved in regulating the products of genetic engineering (USDA, EPA, FDA). Scientists working in industry and research institutes, as well as universities, must abide by practices and policies that align with federal standards. The Law Library of Congress maintains a compilation of resources outlining restrictions on the use of genetic engineering in the United States.
Scientists and policymakers continue to work together to set bioethics and biosafety standards for the “Golden Age of Biology” we are experiencing. For example, in 2014-2015, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine undertook a study of current genetic engineering technologies in food and agriculture, A Science-Based Look at Genetically Engineered Crops (#GECropStudy). The NAS Agriculture committee’s comprehensive report, “Genetically Engineered Crops: Past Experience and Future Prospects” is expected in 2016. The report will provide policymakers with an expert, objective frame of reference to guide public policy decisions regarding the use of genetic engineering technologies in food and agriculture.
To follow national discussions on bioethics, see the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Recent reports related to genetic engineering include:
To learn more about biosafety and regulatory guidelines for federally funded genetic engineering projects, see:
With careful consideration of societal risks and benefits, scientists will continue to advance humanities’ understanding of the natural world and develop technologies to solve global challenges in agriculture, healthcare and environmental sustainability.
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