Summary
Highlights
Paul Root Wolpe introduces the concept of three great waves of evolution. The first is Darwinian evolution, driven by natural selection. The second wave began when humans changed their environment, altering their evolutionary pressures. The third and current wave is 'intentional evolution' or 'evolution by design,' where humans are actively designing and altering biological forms.
Humans have long practiced selective breeding, creating animals like dogs. Now, advanced genetic manipulation allows for the creation of new hybrids such as beefaloes, geeps, cama, and ligers, which were previously impossible. These creatures are not Photoshopped but real, and represent the earlier stages of genetic enhancement.
Scientists have transferred genes for bioluminescence from deep-sea jellyfish and coral into mammalian cells, then into various animals like mice, kittens, pigs, and monkeys. This demonstrates the capability to create human beings that could glow in the dark. Genetically engineered glowing zebrafish are already available as pets in some states, highlighting a lack of regulation in this area. The FDA is also considering genetically engineered salmon that grow faster, despite the lack of labeling for genetically modified foods in the US.
The presentation showcases various cloned animals, including Dolly the sheep, Ralph the rat, CopyCat, Snuppy the dog, and Prometea the horse, along with cloned calves, gray wolves, and piglets. Cloning technology is also being used to save endangered species like the 'guar' and 'mouflon'. However, this process creates hybrids with mitochondrial DNA from the surrogate species, raising questions about the definition of a 'pure' animal and species in the age of biotechnology.
Scientists are creating 'insect bots' by implanting electrodes and computer chips into cockroaches and Goliath beetles, allowing remote control of their movements. Moths are now being pre-wired in their pupa stage for future surveillance. 'Ratbots' with brain electrodes and cameras can be steered remotely. Experiments with owl monkeys show that their brainwaves can control prosthetic limbs, making one monkey the first primate with three independent functional arms. Furthermore, living rat neurons are being used to create organic computer chips, and an intact lamprey eel brain can power a cart that responds to light.
The creation of a mouse genetically engineered to grow a human-compatible ear demonstrates the convergence of genetic engineering, polymer technology, and xenotransplantation. Craig Venter created the first artificial cell by synthesizing a genome and inserting it into another cell, which then reproduced, effectively creating the first organism with a computer as its parent. Wolpe concludes by posing critical ethical questions: Is it acceptable to manipulate and create any creature we desire? Do we have the right to design animals for specific traits or as organic manufacturing machines? What are the ethical guidelines for applying these technologies to human beings, as this is no longer science fiction but a present reality?