The Future of the Gene

Abstract

The advancement of the biological sciences in the last 30 years has led to a rapid increase in our knowledge on the molecular base of life and to the design of techniques to modify biomolecules including the genetic material. This advancement was possible due to the interaction of knowledge and technology since in molecular biology, the insight into the molecular mechanisms directly translates into the design of new tools, most often constituted by the newly discovered biomolecules themselves: living organisms provide the tools needed to modify them. Knowledge translates into application, which in turn promotes the gaining of knowledge. The orientation to potential application is thus naturally inherent in the biological sciences. This leads to a continuously growing path of development that makes the technological dominance of the living world conceivable.