Recombinant Dna Panacea Or Pandora`s Box.

RECOMBINANT DNA PANACEA OR PANDORA’S BOX:

Before throwing light on the concerned topic one must know what a recombinant DNA is, what panacea actually means and what is the connection between two scientific terms such as: “Recombinant DNA” and “panacea” and a typical literary word: “Pandora’s box”. Recombinant DNA molecules are DNA sequences resulted due to the involvement of modern biological tools and techniques such as: “molecular cloning” where the genetic materials from more than two sources or sometimes two different sources are brought together creating novel sequences that are normally not present in an organism. This is also called as recombinant DNA technology or “Genetic engineering”. It can be understood in a simple way that basically two genes or more than two genes are welded together to form a complete new gene (recombinant gene/DNA) containing the sequences of all the parent genes (a simple genetic recombination). When it comes to “panacea” it is known that any drug which can be used to cure all possible types of diseases is called so. History speaks that “Panacea” was actually the name of a Greek goddess who possessed unbelievable powers to cure multi-faceted problems and was, thus, considered as the “Goddess of universal remedy.” Likewise, any drug which holds the inherent ability to cure multiple syndromes and diseases can be rightly called as the “panacea of medical science”, hence the comparison. As candidates of science we know not what Pandora’s Box actually means but if we refer to certain pages of history, it has been revealed that Pandora’s Box is related to a Greek mythology where the Greek God Zeus sent Pandora as the first woman on Earth. Moreover, she was gifted by many Gods with various abilities and the most important thing she had received was a box which she was advised never to open but her curiosity compelled her to open the box and without holding herself back she opened it. History speaks that the moment she opened the box all kinds of vices and evil spread all over the world and the last thing which was left inside was the angel of hope Astrea.

As far as the topic is concerned, it can be said that this heading addresses the use of certain “metaphorical” words such as: Panacea and Pandora’s Box referring to modern biotechnology and its applications. It means whether the inventions occurring due to recombinant DNA technology/ genetic engineering (modern biotechnology) will prove useful or harmful. This topic brings forth the “pros” and “cons” of modern biotechnology where Recombinant DNA and the technology involved in it play the major role. This topic mainly discusses about the ethical issues arising in biotechnology which means if the techniques involved in Biotechnology are handled wisely and sincerely then it can lead to a good product leading to optimum good results. However, if handled otherwise it can be the primary source to much suffering. Therefore, it can be wisely said that we need to lift the lid of bio-techniques very carefully and with much concern for the welfare of mankind. Recombinant DNA technology or Genetic engineering has been the topic of primary focus because the entire Biotechnology is seen to have been revolving around this particular technique for years together. Recombinant DNA technology or Genetic engineering has been the base technology for any kind of invention in biotechnology. Biotechnology can be precisely defined as a technique which uses living organisms such as: animals and microorganisms and even plants to create or modify certain products for specific purposes. All these years, it has been taken into account that biotechnology constantly revolves around the methodology dealing with excision of genes of interest and its insertion into a suitable host to create recombinants or more able organisms that can be the source to much desirable products. Therefore, it seems natural that recombinant DNA technology has been the most commonly used technique for a wider range of applications. The year 1973 marked the beginning of Recombinant DNA technology or Genetic engineering because the first successful Recombinant DNA was constructed in that year.& Commercially available products from Recombinant DNA technology came into existence in the year 1982. So it seems clearer that Recombinant DNA technology has been the most dominant Bio-techniques in all these years (1973-2012). However, many ethical issues have been observed due to the rapid proliferation of knowledge and products resulting from Recombinant DNA technology. These issues can lead to serious threats if not taken into account and if not checked to a certain level.

There are many ethical issues involved in Recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering. It is very difficult to learn about the long term effects of altering genes. Altered genes can prove useful in some cases and can also prove hazardous in a few cases. Recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering has also provided scientists with a much wider knowledge due to which they have greater control over manipulation of genes. The reason that bio-scientists can manipulate the genes is a matter leading to major ethical issues. Therefore, it seems natural that when scientists exploit their knowledge for a productive purpose, Recombinant DNA technology proves to be useful. However, if they use it otherwise it can lead to serious ethical issues. As far as “Genetic engineering” is concerned, it can be rightly considered as a “synonym” used for genetic modification of plants and animals using ‘Recombinant DNA technology’. However, Genetic engineering is much of a positive image because it deals with the management of risks involved in the technological advancements and also looks after safety factors allowing only incremental changes in the experimental procedures whereas Recombinant DNA technology deals with the new techniques introduced into the field of biotechnology and these new methods need much attention because of greater risk factors involved in them. Genetic engineering has played a very important role in the manufacture of food and food supplements. Genetic engineering promises disease-resistant crops and animals, tastier food with high nutritional value, crops that can produce their own pesticides, crops which are herbicide-resistant, etc. However, when it comes to the technology involved, traditional methods bear a little resemblance to genetic engineering. So, if there are inherent risk factors and danger involved in these techniques (Recombinant DNA technology) should these techniques be used to produce industrial and agricultural products or a safer alternative be used to produce the same products as well as new varieties of crops and animals which involve no risk at all. I think the second option will be better which gives no way to the birth of ethical issues. Moreover, in order to gain a competitive edge in the market new technologies are introduced, in a proliferative way, inspite of being aware of the dire consequences. With the introduction of these new technologies undesirable consequences come to the forefront in terms of risks and other ethical concerns. Ethical issues and concerns include unacceptable harm to people and the environment, huge economic loss and other social matters. The area of ethical concern mainly deals with the attitude of modern biotechnology and its principles towards other living beings including our own selves. It is mainly concerned with the impact of the new technologies such as: Recombinant DNA technology and Genetic engineering on mankind, animals and the environment, other economic and social consequences etc. The ethical concerns and issues also includes the responsibility of a scientist towards inventing new products and using modern bio-technical principles to manipulate the genetic configuration of plants and animals in order to modify them for desirable purposes. The scientists are required to identify any possible negative impacts of the techniques involved and are required to manage the increment in research and development avoiding the unacceptable harms. In order to do this successfully, it is required that the scientists construct proper controls and choose proper directions for further research and development.

Some of the best examples of ethical issues can be seen in the fields of agricultural biotechnology and some can also be seen where animals are involved. Genetic engineering mainly involves the isolation, cutting, insertion, joining and transfer of a single gene or more than one gene into a closely related host or a completely unrelated organism (host). By doing so, it violates the laws of nature as the technology involved crosses the natural specific barriers which mean the changes brought about in the organisms would not have occurred naturally so it’s natural to expect unacceptable risks and ethical issues. The effects of genetic engineering can be observed as unpredictable disturbances in the genetic function of the host organism and in the introduced foreign gene. Therefore, genetic engineering and production of transgenic animals and crops is still considered to be an imperfect technique as many complications can arise in each case. Usually, genetically engineered foods are produced so that quality of life can be improved by consuming them. However, due to certain disruptions in the biochemical configuration of the transgenic organisms unexpected outcomes occur which is to be worried about. These unexpected outcomes are included in the ethical issues. One of the best examples dealing with potential health hazard occurring due to the impact of genetic engineering is the 1989 epidemic break in USA. This epidemic was due to the prevalence of a fatal disease called as- Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS). History speaks that this outbreak occurred due to the consumption of a tryptophan food supplement. In this case, a bacterium was genetically modified to produce this particular aminoacid. However, due to metabolic disruptions excessive amount of aminoacid was produced which can be the effect of the novel gene. This came out as a novel toxin contaminating the end product. According to the reports collected during this epidemic, it can be seen that out of a possible 5000 who consumed the food supplement, 35 died and a major 1500 disabled permanently due to the effects of sickness. Another reported case of ethical issues is the identification of “brazil-nut allergen” in transgenic soyabeans. Many people had terrible allergic reactions after consuming this food product. There have been issues related to bt-cotton (bacillus thuringiensis) as well.

CONCLUSION:

Therefore, bio-technologists should never forget the basic principles of genetic engineering and the drawbacks it can cause while they are trying to meet their technical and commercial demands. They should always consider the best possible technique for a new research which is free from ethical issues so that recombinant DNA technology or Genetic engineering can be considered as a PANACEA otherwise a PANDORA’S BOX where people lose lives for no fault of theirs’ which can lead to huge ecological imbalance and the end of the world.