Week 6: BioTech + Art

            What is a genome? The definition of genome is “A genome is an organism’s complete set of genetic instructions. Each genome contains all of the information needed to build that organism and allow it to grow and develop.” Our genome is made up of DNA. Different people has different DNA sequence, and these different sequence guides out growth, development and health. DNA carries lots of information, and the information can determine people’s different characteristics, such as eye color, skin color, and height. All the living cells have a unique genome, which makes each living cells are unique.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-staking-unknown-genomic-territory.html

            With the development of technology and the deep understanding of genome, many scientists worked on genetically modified product. They can make some new products by changing the DNA sequence based on one product. This technique is significant for human in many area, like art and agriculture. For example, in 2004, an Australian company, Florigene, genetically engineered a “blue” rose for the Japanese company Suntory. The scientists took blue pigment from a pansy and inserted the pansy’s gene into a red rose. They worked with different genes for years to get a “blue” rose. This technique allows scientists to make colorful flowers that cannot be found in the nature. Also, it also provides artists more inspiration to create more paintings.

https://guffeysgreatideas.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/25-engineer-genetically-engineered-flowers/

            Also, advances in biotechnology affect our food. We all know that different food has different nutrition. Therefore, scientists are trying to put multiple nutrition into one food through genetically modification. These organisms are called “genetically modified organisms (GMO)”. Scientists will cultivate the “mixed fruits”. The picture shows the GMO orange.

http://discoveryeye.org/tag/genetically-modified-organism/

 However, there are many arguments about GMO, especially food. Rob Martienssen said: “There has been a mixture of socioeconomic, environmental and other concerns about genetic modification.”

            GMO is important for human, although there are some arguments about it. It is necessary for artist and scientist.

Reference:

"What Is a Genome?" Facts. The Public Engagement Team at the Wellcome Genome Campus, 06 Jan. 2017. Web. 14 May 2017.

"25: Engineer: Genetically Engineered Flowers." Guffeysgreatideas. N.p., 06 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 May 2017.

"Genetically Modified Organism Archives." Discovery Eye Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2017.

Martienssen, Rob. "The Argument for Genetically Modified Foods." Big Think. N.p., 04 May 2013. Web. 14 May 2017.

Staff, Science X. "Staking out Unknown Genomic Territory." Medical Xpress - Medical Research Advances and Health News. Medical Xpress, 04 Jan. 2013. Web. 14 May 2017.