by In truth, who doesn’t want to see a lion with wings, or a horse with a unicorn’s horn! Synthetic Biology, the application of engineering principles in biology to redesign biological systems, undoubtedly has immense untapped potential. Breakthrough discoveries have already been made, in 2002 scientists in the United States synthesized a viral genome, showing the world it was possible to create a polio virus. Synthetic Biology comes in many forms, from altering the genomes of existing species, to creating new life forms entirely. While the potential for good is quite literally endless, so is the potential for Synthetic Biology to ruin ecosystems, feed into political discord and cause overall harm. Synthetic Biology is undoubtedly in need of strict regulation and heavy precautions due to instances of unpredictable impacts new species can have on an ecosystem.
Many alterations to the genetic code of living species has been proposed, but the impact of releasing non-native or different species into an environment is wildly unpredictable and dangerous. Instances of this have been recorded for a long time, possibly the most famous being Australian Thomas Austin’s mistake in 1859. Pursuing his hobby of hunting, Austin released 24 non-native rabbits in his backyard. What seemed to be an innocent pass-time turned for the worse, with the rabbits rapidly destroying the healthy balance of the ecosystem and taking away biodiversity. Today, one-eighth of mammals in Australia are now extinct in large-part due to the introduction of the rabbits, and more problems continue to arise with the rabbit’s diet for native plants, leading to soil erosion and other agricultural headaches. While an instance of this magnitude seems like it should scare scientists away from introduction of foreign species into ecosystems, many research projects and foundations of this sort have found large backing and support.
The research team Revive & Restore, a Harvard-based team, is currently utilizing CRISPR genome editing to bring back the Woolly Mammoth. In order to do this, the closest living mammal to the Woolly Mammoth is being utilized, the Asian Elephant. The plan at hand is to alter these animals to enable blood oxygen release at low temperatures, incorporate thick hair, and give the species subcutaneous fat for insulation and fasting. While this project may seem like a way to merely bring back an animal for sentimental reasons, it is claimed by Revive & Restore these animals may be able to play a key role in the fight against human-drive climate change. Before the extinction of these animals, the tundra and large portion of the taiga were grasslands, and were home to many other animals, such as caribou, horses, bison (etc). According to them, without large animals roaming the tundra and compacting the snow throughout their days, winter cold does not penetrate the soil. This, along with progressively hotter summers, accelerates the melting of permafrost up north. Because of this, it is proposed the reintroduction of Woolly Mammoths and the transition of tundra back to grasslands can slow this melting, and overall foster more biodiversity. However, what is done behind the scenes to these animals in these type of projects is barbaric, testing on hundreds of elephants and altering their DNA until one fits their desires. Along with this, the promises set out by scientists like those from Revive & Restore are largely far-fetched, and are meant to overshadow the consequences that have been seen in the past from introduction of foreign species. How will reverting the tundra to grassland affect the organisms currently inhabiting it? Is synthetic biology truly morally acceptable with the testing that needs to be done in order to alter a species? In truth, the looming risks of Synthetic Biology prove to outweigh the promised benefits of many.
It would be very convenient to simply ride my pet griffin to school! It would be great for society to incorporate satyrs for music teachers, they really do play the harmonica well! In all seriousness, the risks genetic engineering of species has on the modern state of our planet are too intense for widespread acceptance. There needs to be clear regulations and increased global attention to the topic, because there is no going back after a species has been added to an ecosystem, as seen in the destruction just 24 rabbits has caused Australia.