Saturday, June 16, 2007

"G" for Genes

Michael Crichton's latest book NEXT is all about genetic engineering. I'd got a hint of what the book was about from Kishore's review. The book has covered a lot of ground - but has way too many characters and so many things happening simultaneously that its hard to keep track.
But still, the book is an eye-opener.
I was telling my mom that she was petrified after reading Coma - she should try reading this book.

The most ridiculous idea that I found in the book, which could be true and be happening anytime soon (if it hasn't been initiated already) is this:
"The Natural World being used for advertisement. Imagine a coral branch reading "BP Clean", a school of fish winking "Vodafone, Vodafone", a shark with "Cadbury" across its snout... so on & so forth... all these creatures genetically modified.
The justification behind this as one of the characters in the book explains "Corporations will be asked to sponsor species as public service. Corporations can stake their reputations on the survival of animal species as they once staked their reputations on the quality of dull TV programs. Its a win-win for the environment, for the corporations for advertisement"

After reading the book, I started looking up the net for more information on the GE topic & these are some interesting links.
The human genome project
Green Peace says NO to genetic engineering
Patenting of genes
Human-mouse hybrid in the making

It may be very uncertain... but its important to be wary of what the future holds in store for us & the generations to come ....

Wednesday, June 13, 2007