Biochemical Surgery

Biochemical Surgery The desire to improve our world is inherently human. From our health to our food, humans strive to enhance what we have. With the biotechnological age upon us, this desire is being channeled in directions that were previously unforeseen. Scientists have learned a great deal about genes- their structure, function, and how to manipulate them. By combining the genes of unrelated species, permanently altering their genetic codes, organisms are created that will pass …

…know how to avoid. An example is transferring the gene of one of the many allergen proteins found in milk into vegetables like carrots. Mothers who know how to avoid giving their sensitive children milk would not know how to avoid giving them transgenic carrots containing milk proteins. This problem is unique to genetic engineering because it alone can transfer proteins across species’ boundaries into completely unrelated organism (“Risks of genetic…” sec. “New allergens…” par. 1).