week 6

Bio-art or biotechnology is a huge part of the world today.  There are many positive sides to both of these and plenty of negatives sides.  Joe Davis is considered to be the pioneer of this movement. Davis came up with such things as the audio microscope; this translated light information, which allowed people to hear cells (Joe Davis).  Biotechnology is extremely complex, mastering it is like an art.    

 Biotechnology has changed food forever.  Biotechnology is the increase in which scientists can improve food traits and production practices (international).  This has brought on many benefits to food.  Food now tastes better, it is healthier, uses less pesticides, and many more benefits (facts sheets).  Before farmers would have to crossbreed different plants to find the healthiest and most beneficial ones, now scientists can do this within a day..  With all these benefits there still are some downfalls of biotechnology.  Biotechnology costs a great amount of money and makes bacteria even mire resistant to antibiotics  (Balan).  Personally I believe that the benefits of genetically modifying food outweigh the costs.  With the population growing exponentially the only way to feed the whole world is through genetically modified food.   

(biotechnology in food)

Biotechnology is also used in the medical field.  In such things as stem cells, genetically modified babies, and has created over 290 new vaccines (over 900).  Stem cells are "cells that serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive (stemcells).”  Stem cells require the destruction of live embryos that creates many moral issues.  I think stem cell research really benefits the world, genetically modified babies on the other hand is a downfall of biotechnology.  Parents are now able to modify their baby however they please (Howard).  This takes away from the natural process of child birth, which I think is completely outrageous.   

(potential stem cell uses)

At the end of they day, no matter the bad effects biotechnology has changed the world for the better.    I do think that restrictions in biotechnology need to be put in place.  Biotechnology should be used to cure the horrible things in the world, like cancer, alzheimers, etc… Once these diseases are cured the art of biotechnology will be perfected.  

Bibliography
Joe Davis: Genetics and Culture." Joe Davis: Genetics and Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Fact Sheet: Benefits of Food Biotechnology." Fact Sheet: Benefits of Food Biotechnology. International Food Information Council Foundation, 13 May 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Benefits of Biotechnology." Benefits of Biotechnology. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Balan, Shalini. "Hazards of Biotechnology (Disadvantages and Negative Effects of Biotech)." Hazards of Biotechnology (Disadvantages and Negative Effects of Biotech). N.p., 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Over 900 Biotechnology Medicines in Development, Targeting More than 100 Diseases | PhRMA." Over 900 Biotechnology Medicines in Development, Targeting More than 100 Diseases | PhRMA. N.p., 14 Sept. 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Stem Cell Basics: Introduction. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002 10 Nov. 2013
Howard, Jacqueline. "Genetically Engineered Babies? Experts Debate Idea Of 'Designer Baby' Ban." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.

BioByte 101 - What Is Biotechnology?" YouTube. YouTube, 21 Sept. 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Vatican Teams up with US Biotech Firm to Shift Focus off Embryo Research." ZME Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Background: EU Moratorium on Biotech Foods." Background: EU Moratorium on Biotech Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.