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Animal Biotechnology: Science Based Concerns

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Rarely in the modern history of humans has biology played such an
important role in human affairs as it does today. In the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries, explorers stimulated the first major advance in biology by
bringing back countless new species that Darwin, and others, put into a logical
order based on the theory of natural selection. The development of evolutionary
thinking and the clarification of the rules of genetic inheritance resulted in the
theoretical base for targeted artificial selection—an essential component of
progress in biology and agriculture.

A second major advance currently is underway. Due to the basic
understanding of inheritance at the molecular level and the tools this has made
available to biologists, it no longer is necessary to depend upon natural or
artificial selection and breeding of progeny to produce new and improved
individuals. Genes from the same or other species can be inserted into a
genome, or the activity of a specific gene can be blocked. Further, once the
genome has been altered artificially, large numbers of new plants and animals
carrying the modified genome can be made using cloning techniques. Producing
animal models of human diseases for research, improving medical procedures,
and increasing food production are but three modern advances that already have
come to pass. More advances are predicted for the future. The committee—
early in its discussions—recognized that not everything that bloomed from the
biotechnology garden was a flower ready to be picked for the human bouquet.
As was true for other technologic advances in the past, advances do not come
without expected and unexpected risks. The committee also recognized that the
technology it was studying is in its infancy. Many of the problems, such as
inefficient reproduction and production of abnormal offspring, are receding as
the technology advances. Therefore, the committee presents a “snapshot” of
biotechnology and of potential concerns about that technology at present.
In view of the rapidly-changing biotechnologic landscape, federal
agencies with responsibility for ensuring food safety, maintaining modern
medical treatment standards, minimizing environmental impacts, and ensuring
the welfare of animals requested that a committee formed by the National
Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies explore concerns related to
animal biotechnology. A committee of 12 scientists, physicians, and experts in
regulatory issues accepted the task of defining science-based concerns
associated with products of animal biotechnology. The committee’s report
presents science-based concerns it identified but it does not contain specific
recommendations. Identification of the concerns will allow others to develop
regulatory policy where appropriate. While the focus of the committee was on
the scientific information that could clarify the issues, it remained aware of the
social and other policy issues involved in moving biotechnologic advances from
the laboratory to the “real world.” Thus, assuming a bit of flexibility in our
charge, our report addresses some of the policy issues involved as well.

In a sense, almost any issue related to a technologic advance can be a
concern. The committee attempted to place concerns in relative priority order
within sections of the report (i.e., hazards associated with the techniques
themselves, food safety, environmental impacts, and animal welfare). In only a
few cases was it possible to state that an issue brought to our table was not of
concern. Much of the basic biology underlying the techniques remains to be
discovered, and we have only partial information on the consequences of using
biotechnologic techniques. This is true especially in terms of the environmental
concerns raised. It became quickly apparent that more information was needed
to assess the priority of concerns raised. Only more research will resolve this
problem.

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Ketersediaan

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Informasi Detail

Judul Seri

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No. Panggil

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Penerbit

Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press., 2002

Deskripsi Fisik

201 pages, 6x9

Bahasa

English

ISBN/ISSN

0-309-50218-7

Klasifikasi

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Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

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Edisi

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Subjek

BIOTEKNOLOGI HEWAN

Info Detail Spesifik

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Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

agus

Versi lain/terkait

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