In recent years a new farming
revolution has begun, one that involves the{{U}} (21) {{/U}}of life at a
fundamental level — the gene. The study of genetics has{{U}} (22)
{{/U}}a new industry called biotechnology. As the name suggests, it{{U}}
(23) {{/U}}biology and modem technology through such techniques as
genetic engineering. Some of the new biotech companies specialize{{U}} (24)
{{/U}}agriculture and are working feverishly to duplicate seeds that give a
high yield, that{{U}} (25) {{/U}}diseases, drought and frost, and that
reduce the need for{{U}} (26) {{/U}}chemicals.{{U}} (27)
{{/U}}such goals could be achieved, it would be most beneficial. But some have
raised concerns about genetically engineered crops. In nature,
genetic diversity is created within certain space. A rose{{U}} (28)
{{/U}}be crossed with a different kind of rose, but a rose will never cross
with a potato. Genetic engineering,{{U}} (29) {{/U}}, usually involves
taking genes from one species and inserting them into{{U}} (30) {{/U}}in
an attempt to transfer a desired characteristic. This could mean,{{U}} (31)
{{/U}}, selecting a gene which leads to the production of a chemical with
anti-freeze quality from an arc- tic fish, and inserting{{U}} (32)
{{/U}}into a potato or strawberry to make it frost-resistant. In essence,
then, biotechnology allows humans to{{U}} (33) {{/U}}the genetic walls
that separate species. Like the green revolution,{{U}} (34)
{{/U}}some call the gene revolution contributes to the problem of genetic
uniformity — some say even more so that geneticists can employ techniques{{U}}
(35) {{/U}}as cloning and{{U}} (36) {{/U}}culture, processes
that produce perfectly{{U}} (37) {{/U}}copies. Concerns about the
erosion of biodiversity, therefore,{{U}} (38) {{/U}}. Genetically
altered plants, however, raise new issues, such as the effects that they may
have{{U}} (39) {{/U}}us and the environment. "We are flying blindly into
a new era of agricultural biotechnology with high hopes, few constraints, and{{U}}
(40) {{/U}}idea of the potential outcomes," said science writer Jeremy
Rifkin.