Elizabeth Alter is an assistant professor of biology at City University of New York College............She accurately makes the case that we are "knee-deep" creating into the so-called "Frankenstein"-like" organisms via genetic engineering.that have no natural control agents in nature............The "checks & balances" of the natural world created through billions of years of evolution are being undone in our business, education and science labs on a daily basis...........And of course, just like with pesticides, solvents, plastics and food additives, we humans are touting all as advancements and enhancements to our lives, simultaneously getting poisoned and adversely impacted by their currently harmful(and potentially harmful) side effects........As Elizabeth so aptly states: "Researchers can cut and paste DNA into just about any animal, plant or fungus".......... "Whereas modified genes were once likely to be stamped out if by chance they made it into the wild, today’s technologies can supercharge a genetic chain reaction".........: "A technique called “gene drive” ensures a modified gene will be inherited with nearly 100 percent success"............ "This is valuable in making sure that a desirable new gene, like one resistant to the malaria parasite, spreads once introduced into a mosquito population"........... "It also means a mistake can’t easily be taken back".............."Genes could potentially leak to places where these species actually play important ecological roles — and could even jump to other species through interbreeding"................. "Re-engineered genes that escape from crop weeds and spread as a result of gene drive could devastate other ecosystems"................. "Moreover, our understanding of how genomes function is still far from the point where we can change genes and be certain we aren’t creating bigger unintended consequences".

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwjbr7ipiJTJAhUKKx4KHaEhAlA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2015%2F11%2F10%2Fopinion%2Fthe-risks-of-assisting-evolution.html&usg=AFQjCNH0uXlqyWiozUz4eoe5wSsEtbTuAQ&bvm=bv.107467506,d.eWE

The Risks of Assisting Evolution

By ELIZABETH ALTERNOV. 10, 2015