Reaction: Our Biotech Future

Reaction: Our Biotech Future

The issue of control is briefly mentioned but not really explored beyond saying that someone else needs to figure it out. The reality of the computer tech revolution is that the material being built was controlled in use and production. Bio mass does not have controls when left unchecked. So by saying that we need to treat it as a decentralized entity in which everyone has the option to play and create, much like the computer revolution which I would imagine not everyone is an expert at computers but we all have a basic understanding of how one works and how to manipulate it internally or superficially through software. This would most likely carry over to biological construction.

The scary thing about biotechnology when you decentralize it is the lack of control over what you create. Weeds are a pain to kill because they have evolved rapid reproduction methods that allow for spreading quickly in most ecological conditions. What would stop something that is already designed to grow rapidly (instance-ish gratification a must) from evolving into a weed like status. Rapid growth, the ability to grow in most conditions and toughness towards chemicals could easily be adopted by the new design creations.

All of this though, is understood from the view point of a society not willing to change with this new technology. A biotech revolution would change the way we live, think, work and play. If we were less resistant to this change there is a possibility that the new condition of life on earth could be improved from our current condition. It would be different and thus the concept of quality of life may not be applicable but this too is hard to predict. The risk though may be worth the reward. I say we move ahead slowly taking into account the risks involved.