Technology

    Of all advancements made within the past five years concerning technology, I believe that the discoveries concerning genetics will ultimately be most significant. Although certain other developments have occurred that will have great impact, genetics will have the largest impact for the greatest amount of time. If for no other reason than that genetic research has an impact across so many fields, it is the strongest achievement.
    For a start, genetic research has had major implications in our judicial system. With the recent developments in DNA processing technology, it is much more likely to find useable DNA in what once would have been considered an unusable sample. Once a sample is found, it is then matched to known DNA, which could be the difference of a conviction and an acquittal in high-profile cases such as homicides. If a DNA sample is found, it is irrevocable identification to say that the person had contact of some sort with wherever the DNA was found. With more true convictions, the faith in our justice system would be much improved, and this could spur even more developments in the field of forensic identification.
    Gene therapy has a great deal of promise, as it could be used to more or less eradicate certain mutation-based diseases. This would include reversing the mutation that would lead to multiple sclerosis, or replacing the gene with a normal one. The replacement of certain genes could lead to the repair or regrowth of the pancreas, thus ending the need for additional insulin of someone with diabetes. Once the malfunctioning gene has been identified, it can be repaired to cure everything from Parkinson’s disease to blindness. What could be the most important, though, is the use of gene therapy to treat cancer. By removing and replacing whatever gene that went haywire to cause the cancer in the individual, the cancer will stop growing, and any pre-existing tumors can be removed.
    Genetic engineering has far more potential than treating or curing pre-existing conditions. It can be used to prevent any of these disorders, and it can do much more. If your child has genetic markers of dwarfism and you would rather they be tall, have a genetic engineer switch some of their genes. If cancer or alcoholism runs in your family’s history, have the doctor just change around some of the genes and your child will have no worries. Anyone could become a natural redhead, blonde, or brunette by going to the local gene therapist and having certain genes turned on or off.
    Even more can be done than making yourself a perfectly beautiful person, though. Besides curing disease and changing your appearance, gene therapy could affect other forms of development. Although this is further into the future than getting rid of cancer, it is entirely possible to use genes to slow or stop aging, or to increase brain capacity. There would no longer be worries about whether one “race” of people is smarter than another, because they could all be modern geniuses. If everyone could have the cognitive power of people such as Albert Einstein or Bill Gates, just imagine the discoveries that could be made. A super-race could be created, and without genocide: everyone would be at a superior level.
    The possibilities are truly endless, given the time. From gene therapy started in the past few years that will continue to improve, to total eradication of disease years from now, to the improvement of the basic brain farther off, it’s impossible to dream of what can of genetic engineering. Whether it be just changing your natural hair color or allowing a blind man to see for the first time, anything could be possible with genetics.