In 1953, Scientists James Watson And Francis Crick Revealed

In 1953, scientists James Watson and Francis Crick revealed the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): the double helix. Through this groundbreaking revelation, many scientists are now able to edit and alter genes in foods such as tomatoes, milk, and corn. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should be banned in the United States because of their environmental, social, and economical consequences. GMOs should be banned because of their harsh impact on the environment. They are causing biodiversity loss, affecting organic agriculture, and inhibiting sustainable agriculture. In his book, Beyond Evolution: The Genetically Altered Future of Plants, Animals, the Earth and Humans, Bioethicist Dr. Michael W. Fox states, â€Å"Some costs and†¦show more content†¦Also, attempts to uniform crops, or monoculture, will fuel genetic diversity loss. Genetic diversity is what helps crops adapt to weather and survive diseases; without genetic diversity, farmers will resort to using chemicals on their crops from those same companies that weakened their crops (Fox 83). Another example of biodiversity loss is eutrophication, the enrichment of ecosystems with chemicals. Bt itself is a built-in insecticide that is manufactured with more chemicals than traditional insecticides. It is first introduced into the plant and eventually spreads its harmful toxins into humans and animals. What is most alarming is the transmission of this detrimental poison into marine life. Oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay, for example, have declined by 96 percent due to eutrophic ation from Bt (Hewitt). This is alarming because 60 percent of the world’s population relies on 40 percent of marine life as a source of food (Hewitt). The genetic modification of Bt crops also has an adverse effect on terrestrial life. This is further illustrated by a decrease in the number of predatory birds during the 1960’s and 1970’s from insecticide; more specifically, bald eagles have declined by at least 6 percent from its usage (Hewitt). GMOs advocates are advising the idea of including genetically altered organisms into organic farming. These advocates believe without the help of genetically engineered seeds the benefits of organic farming â€Å"will likely remain small†Show MoreRelated Discovery of the Structure of DNA Essay2374 Words   |  10 Pagesof February in 1953, according to James Watson, Francis Crick announced to the patrons of the Eagle Pub in Cambridge, â€Å"We have discovered the secret of life† (Watson 115, 1980). As Brian Hayes, the author of â€Å"The Invention of the Genetic Code† states, â€Å"If life ever had a secret, the double helix of DNA was surely it† (1). However, it was not the work of these two men alone that led to the discovery of the power the lies within the double helix, but rather the work of many scientists that was carefullyRead MoreThe Discovery In 1953 Of The Double Helix, The Twisted-Ladder1608 Words   |  7 PagesThe discovery in 1953 of the double helix, the twisted-ladder structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), by James Watson and Francis Crick marked a milestone in the history of science and gave rise to modern molecular biology, which is largely concerned with understanding how genes control the chemical processes within cells. In short order, their discovery yielded ground-breaking insights into the genetic code and protein synthesis. During the 1970s and 1980s, it helped to produce new and powerfulRead MoreNucleic Acids785 Words   |  4 Pagesliving organisms (see Virus). The pioneering research that revealed the general structure of DNA was performed by the British biophysicists Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins and by the American biochemist James Dewey Watson. Using an X-ray diffraction picture of the DNA molecule obtained by Wilkins in 1951, Crick and Watson were able to construct a model of the DNA molecule that was completed in 1953. For their work, the three scientists received the 1962 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. TheRead MoreThe Dna And Its Structure2011 Words   |  9 Pagessuggested answers to both these questions. (Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al, 2002) With the help of many scientists we now know exactly what the DNA molecule is, its structure, and its function. The knowledge gained throughout the years on DNA has allowed many things such as that of genetic genealogy. Knowing the structure of the DNA is what has helped/continues to help scientists and people today understand this makeup. The Molecule of Heredity We are all aware ofRead MoreDNA Technologies 1012 Words   |  5 PagesThe structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 and revealed to the world by James Watson and Francis Crick.1 Since then, there has been a whirlwind of activity and discovery in the fields associated with DNA. We have found that DNA is not only a set of instructions for the body, but that it also contains a lot of information about the individual who â€Å"owns† the DNA. As it is rapidly becoming cheaper and easier to process DNA, it is becoming more difficult to make sure that there is adequate legislatureRead MoreDNA Barcoding and the BOLD Database1187 Words   |  5 Pageshave been made since the discovery of DNA structure and its function in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. Recently, scientists have developed a process called DNA barcoding. The result of DNA barcoding is a database of barcodes of species, made up of a sequence of nucleotides in specific genes. DNA barcoding is a relatively new process that isolates a section of a mitochondrial gene and amplifies it, allowing scientists to sequence the order of nucleotide bases in a certain gene, the organism’sRead MoreThe Human Genome Project : An American Geneticist1244 Words   |  5 Pages THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT â€Æ' The human genome project has its origins in the mid-1980s, but its intellectual roots stretch back further. Alfred Sturtevant an American geneticist created the first Drosophila gene map in 1911. In 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the double helical structure of the DNA molecule. This discovery was the first crucial step in molecular genome analysis, and in much of the molecular biological research of the last half-century. In the mid-1970s, FrederickRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms And Its Impact On The Environment1622 Words   |  7 Pagesthe foods we eat are safe? Nowadays, more than 70% of our products on food shelves contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Through the groundbreaking discovery of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by scientists James Watson and Francis Crick, in 1953, many scientists are now able to edit and reconstruct genes in foods as basic as rice, meat, and corn, to name a few. GMOs should be banned in the United Stat es because of their environmental, social, and economical harmful effects. Read MoreWhat Is Genetic Engineering?1808 Words   |  8 Pagesof organism and to introduce the result in an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics[.]† (Webster, 2015) The persons who discovered the structure of the DNA began with James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. (DNAi, 2003) Since the discovery of the double helix strand many scientists began researching the DNA from all organisms. Thus, trying to reveal all secrets of all forms of life on Earth. Many blooms with different discoveries of the DNA and some were able to change itsRead MoreFood Culture5912 Words   |  24 PagesAgricultural biologists can modify existing genes, transplant genes from one organism s DNA into another s or even synthesize entirely new structures and insert them into a plant s DNA. Although the alteration of genes is a fairly new technology, scientists have already invented a variety of new organisms, such as coffee beans that do not contain caffeine and onions that can be chopped without inducing tears. [See 1999  Genetically Engineered Food] Nearly all GM foods on the market, however, come from