In Brave New World, the society is controlled by a set of strict rules run by a select group of individuals. It is those select few that are given the power to determine the direction of society. Through technology it is possible for them to produce different classes of people in which their roles in society are predetermined. One is born into the world with zero sense of individuality as one has already been brainwashed to the point that one may know little else besides what his or her given job. The genetic engineering in Brave New World is to the extent that one can be trained to hate the country or love flowers, it is the Alphas, the highest class, that are allowed to determine the fate of an entire society. Mustapha Mond, an Alpha and World Controller, speaks in a glowing tone of how the state has been successful in removing human desire, emotion, and relationships from society. The question is, are we currently headed down a path of world control as is seen in Brave New World? While many may scoff at the notion that America and the world is on the path to a brave new world, there are signs and hints that we very well may be on the path to a state controlled society. Are our current scientific discoveries in the field of genetic engineering and cloning going to one day lead to a state in which parents can determine the sex and eye color of their own child? This, considered a ridiculous concept by many, may not be very far down the road. If a line is not drawn as to what is and what is not ethical in the fields of genetic engineering and cloning, then we may one day reach a state that resembles that of the society in A Brave New World.
Annotated Bibliography"GE Industry." Greenpeace. Greenpeace. 14 April 2009
.
Greenpeace is a liberal, environmental organization that advocates and lobbies for progressive causes. Therefore, one would assume that Greenpeace would be in favor of genetic engineering but in fact they are vehemently opposed to it. They believe that the companies that genetically engineer crops are some of the worst polluters of the 20th century. They claim that these companies have evolved from being chemical polluters to now calling themselves “life science” companies since the conception of genetic engineering. Greenpeace believes that these large companies are using genetic engineering to increase their profits while at the same time being dishonest to the consumer. Greenpeace does not necessarily seem to as much oppose to the idea of genetic engineering but is more opposed to the big business consequences.
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/gedanger.htm#ESSAYS%20ABOUT%20OTHER%20PROBLEMS%20WITH%20GENETIC
Batalion, Nathan. "50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods." 2008 Web.26 April 2009. .
The biggest proponents of genetic engineering have always claimed that genetically modified food is healthier and is to going to help save millions of lives, especially in developing countries. If this is not true then is there really any benefit to GM food? Nathon Batalion claims that GM food is in fact not healthy. Batalion cites numerous reasons as to the negatives of genetic engineering including genetic pollution and an increase in the risk of acquiring cancer. He states that too many people see the short-term benefits without considering the long-term harm. GM food is a big business and if farmers are increasing their profits then they don’t care about the negative consequences. He cites numerous instances in which GM foods have lead to human deaths. In 1989, “dozens of Americans died and several thousands were afflicted and impaired by a genetically modified version of the food supplement L-tryptophan creating a debilitating ailment known as Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) .”
Gibbs, Wayt. "Synthetic Life: ." 04 26 2004. Scientific American. 14 April 2009 .
Synthetic biology is the future of genetic engineering. Drew Endy a biologist at MIT is one of a growing number of scientists who sees synthetic biology as the future of genetic engineering. Drew Endy and others are now “designing and building living systems that behave in predictable ways, that use interchangeable parts, and in some cases that operate with an expanded genetic code, which allows them to do things that no natural organism can.” This form of genetic engineering is very similar to that of the goals of the society in Brave New World. The field of synthetic biology has three goals in mind: to learn about life by building it instead of tearing it apart, continue to allow genetic engineering to live up to its name as those in the field are constantly attempting to make new and more sophisticated systems, and to “stretch the boundaries of life and of machines until the two overlap to yield truly programmable organisms.” The last goal is what is the scariest to some and leads to excitement for others. Methods such as hijacking cells, Beta-testing life 2.0, and artificial genetics are all essential elements in the field of synthetic biology.
Tokar , Brian. "Biohazards: The Next Generation." Institute for Social Ecology (2001) Web.14 April 2009. .
This essay addresses the consequences of genetic engineering. With the little that we have done so far, is it even worth it to continue it in the future? We have already genetically engineered salmon that can grow twice as fast as normal, made poplar trees and evergreens grow faster and more uniformly, and have engineered many plants to resist certain diseases. But, unfortunately not all of these experiments have worked out to be as advantageous as initially planned. The salmon have escaped into their native habitats, wrecking havoc on the natural ecosystem. The plants that were meant to resist certain diseases now are immune to the pesticides that are meant o prevent those very diseases. Bioreactor crops, a new technology in the world of genetic engineering, has when used on a large scale lead to “problems of cross-pollination, and unknown deleterious effects on beneficial insects, soil microbes and other native organisms.”
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/DNAaltlife.html
Lyman, Eric. "Pope Expresses Opposition to GMOs,." Biotechnology 11 15 2000 Web.14 April 2009. .
Genetic engineering is strictly opposed to by the Catholic Church as evidence by a speech made by Pope John Paul II in which he warned of the consequences of genetic engineering to a crowd of 50,000 farmers. He told them to "resist the temptation ofhigh productivity and profit that work to the detriment of the respect of nature." The pontiff added that "when (farmers) forget this basic principle and become tyrants of the earth rather than its custodians... sooner or later the earth rebels." Farmers in the eyes of the Pope need to respect the earth and resources that God provided us with instead of attempting to intervene in a process that should be respected. The impact of the Pope’s comments could have an effect on Catholics in Latin America and Africa as they heed to the words of the Pope. I believe that the Catholic Church was more concerned about the long term ramifications of genetic engineering and the general path that that is leading us towards. In Brave New World everything is controlled and genetically altered and that is a point that the church never wants to see the world get to.
Genetic engineering--social and ethical consequences /
Bibliographic Record DisplayAuthor: National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Panel on Bioethical Concerns.
Title: Genetic engineering--social and ethical consequences / Panel on Bioethical Concerns, National Council of Churches of Christ/USA.
Publisher: New York : Pilgrim Press, c1984.
Description: ix, 81 p. ; 21 cm.
Subjects: Genetic engineering--Moral and ethical aspects.
Genetic engineering--Social aspects.
Notes: "This is a report for study and comment, not an official policy statement of the NCCC/USA."
The environmental implications of genetic engineering staff report /
Bibliographic Record DisplayAuthor: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Technology. Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight.
Title: The environmental implications of genetic engineering staff report / prepared by the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-eighth Congress, second session.
Publisher: Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 1984.
Description: v, 160 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
Subjects: Genetic engineering--Environmental aspects--United States.
Notes: CIS Microfiche Accession Numbers: CIS 84 H702-4
At head of title: Committee print.
"February 1984."
"Serial V."
Reuse of record except for individual research requires license from Congressional Information Service, Inc
Applied genetic engineering : future trends and problems /
Bibliographic Record DisplayTitle: Applied genetic engineering : future trends and problems / by Morris A. Levin ... [et al.].
Publisher: Park Ridge, N.J., U.S.A. : Noyes Publications, c1983.
Description: xi, 191 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
Subjects: Genetic engineering--Industrial applications.
Notes: Includes index.
Other Author(s): Levin, Morris A.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/
Biotechnology and the ethics of cloning : how far should we go? : hearing before the Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, first session, March 5, 1997.
Bibliographic Record DisplayAuthor: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science. Subcommittee on Technology.
Title: Biotechnology and the ethics of cloning : how far should we go? : hearing before the Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, first session, March 5, 1997.
Alternate Title: Ethics of cloning
Publisher: Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office, 1997.
Description: iii, 59 p. ; 24 cm.
Subjects: Cloning--Moral and ethical aspects--Government policy--United States.
Biotechnology--Government policy--United States.
Genetic engineering--Government policy--United States.
Notes: Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.
Shipping list no.: 97-0339-P.
"No. 3."
Draft legislation entitled the "Cloning Prohibition Act of 1997" : message from the President of the United States transmitting a draft of proposed legislaion to prohibit any attempt to create a human being using somatic cell nuclear transfer to provide for further review of the ethical and scientific issues ....
Bibliographic Record DisplayAuthor: United States. President (1993-2001 : Clinton)
Title: Draft legislation entitled the "Cloning Prohibition Act of 1997" : message from the President of the United States transmitting a draft of proposed legislaion to prohibit any attempt to create a human being using somatic cell nuclear transfer to provide for further review of the ethical and scientific issues ....
Publisher: Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 1997.
Description: 8 p. ; 24 cm.
Series: House document (United States. Congress. House) ; 105-97.
Subjects: Cloning.
Notes: "Referred to the Committee on Commerce."
Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.
Shipping list no.: 97-0277-P.
"June 10, 1997."
Other Author(s): Clinton, Bill, 1946-
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Commerce.
Holdings Information
