I mentioned a link in previous post that crashed my browser. I was referencing an interview between Exxon CEO and Charlie Rose wherein Exxon spoke about their research to genetically engineer algae--the oldest living organism on the planet. Rather than simply use algae as it now exists after how many thousands of years of evolution, they wanted to bio-engineer it so they could profitably make fuel from it.
I am one of those people who is reluctant to believe that we can do such meddling with 'Mother Nature' safely. I have seen the damage of genetic pollution from promising biotech companies who mess with the gene pool for plants and claim they are the owners of plant species by virtue of their scientific experiments. There is something inherently disrespectful about the presumption that a young understanding of genetic information is somehow superior to the wisdom of natural life, natural species that have adapted slowly and developed in response to environment. We have history of introducing plants and animals across the planet and creating disruptive or invasive species that do not have natural barriers to their unchecked or rampant growth.
Anyway, I clearly can be viewed as a Luddite or someone against technology but I do understand the hope and fervor of men of science who want to make their mark and leave a legacy and to do things in a big way. I am encouraged by news of individual tinkerers and scientists who devise carburetors that can get 60+ miles per gallon of gas or people who develop cars that run on water or other discoveries that reflect a sensibility and respect for the planet and other life forms. What I hope we guard against as we delve into genetic product development is the propensity to allow entities of scale and economic might to dictate the commercial integration of products that do not serve the highest good but are flawed and allowed to proceed because of the commercial investments made and the objectives of earning profit or gaining market share.
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