Genetics Runs Tings!
Biotechnology is truly a fascinating branch of science, you know… Remember the ortanique? (No, I don’t mean the restaurants or the clubs, I mean the fruit) The combination of the orange and the tangerine was definitely superior to either of the two fruits it was based upon, in my opinion! It was really good stuff! Look also at those hybrid roses and mangos… Its all good.
But look where they are going with the technology now! Have you ever heard of GloFish, for instance? GloFish are just like normal zebra fish that aquarium owners are familiar with, but they have had their DNA altered. Scientists implanted them with a fluorescent sea anemone gene. These Zebra fish absorb light and then re-emit it, giving the perception that they are glowing! Apparently they are pretty hot for people who keep aquariums, and you can get one for about US$5.
Of course, more stuff deh yah to read… just click the link below.
Now another company is looking into developing genetically modified cats which will not cause an allergic reaction in their owners, or indeed, in anyone. Apparently people who are allergic to cats are really allergic to a potent protein secreted by the cat’s skin and salivary glands. The company which is working on engineering these cats is really trying to produce cats which suppress the production of this protein. They are pretty confident that they will be successful and have even started taking deposits from people who want to be among the first owners of these hypo allergenic cats!
The stuff they are doing is amazing, isn’t it? I don’t know if you have noticed, though, but doesn’t it seem like there is some kind of a progression going on? First they started with plants, like roses or ortaniques, then they moved to animals, like the glofish and now cats. Eventually, I am sure that they are going to start their splicing and dicing on humans! Its pretty much inevitable!
In the same way that they produced enhanced flowers and fruit, in the same way that they are modifying fish and cats, they will eventually be producing genetically modified humans, take my word for it! It doesn’t make sense for us to try too much to fight it either. Its just going to be too fascinating an area for them to leave alone!
I wonder what they will try to change about us humans? I read an article by Sharon Leach in the Jamaica Observer recently that was talking about genetically engineering the “dog” out of us men, do you think that will be the first change they seek to implement? Plenty women out deh (there) would be happy with a faithful, loving man still!
I’m sure some women will also eagerly be awaiting the men who have had gene implants from donkeys so that they are more gifted in the, er, “plumbing department” shall we say? Its not only the women either, I can think of plenty, plenty men who are dying to get their hands upon women who are genetically disposed to keeping their mouths shut and their legs open! 
Still, fun and joke aside, biotechnology is a fascinating area! Just think, one day there may actually be real beings that are like Chewbacca the Wookie or Jabba the Hutt! (sp)
If I were going to make a career change and become a scientist, I think I would have to consider biotechnology very carefully indeed! Anyway, enough from me on this issue. What genetic improvements would you all vote for in us humans?
Hey, guess what? They will be resuming cruise tourism here in Grand Cayman next week! Things are slowly returning to normal. Now we can have the joys of having the tourists walking up an down everywhere, snarling traffic and trying their level best to get us locked up for manslaughter as they jump off the curbs with no thought or regard for oncoming vehicles… anyway, despite all the problems and annoyances associated with it, I am glad to see the cruise ships return! 
Hey, do you have any idea how many people pass through the island on cruise ships? According to the article I linked above, they are expecting 61,000 cruise tourists between November 1 and November 13! Thats 1.5 times the resident population! Shyte! A plenty people dat you know! Somebody give me some suggestions of things cruise tourists like to buy, nuh? If your idea works, you can eat a food too. (benefit as well)
Hey, oonoo have a good weekend, seen? I hope to… actually, there is a good chance that I will be going to a party over the weekend! Yup, an honest-to-goodness party, with liquor, loud music and some wikid vibes! That would be nice for a change, so wish me luck on that one, seen?! TTYL!
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One of these days one off those genetically altered animals gwine tun round, get up an slap one a dem a box and tell dem fi stop fass wid dem system and den walk off.
I would be interested in genetically modified humans that are resistant to disease. However, as fascinating as genetic research is, man is sure to screw it up and create crap. They have already managed to use science to our detriment from long time and make nuclear weapons. Our problem is we simply don’t know where to stop and allow God to do the rest.
Anyway, enjoy the party if you make it.
Doc, I am going to give you the names of several fictional novels where the initial cause for public good led to a severe abuse of biotechnology - look as far back as Frankenstein for example.
My point is that perhaps as mankind we go too far in trying to play God, because our nature is not Gods’ and we always seem to get lost along the way…
Technolgical advancement in every way has its incredible side - look at the contribution of the internet - and its terriying side. Interesting subject!!!!
True words seven.
Glad y’all found it interesting…
Hey MB, I truly agree with Seven’s words still. Do you remember the movie Attica? where people were genetically altered to make them more acceptable in the world? It’s a very precarious game that we play when we try to alter the human physical structure–never know what will be produced at the end. An improvement or an abomination, where does one draw the line?
{arf,arf}
although that science is very promising. i still have my reservations.
MB-
I was one of those cruise ship tourist trying to get someone locked up. On my visit in 2002, I got off the boat, and went to cross the street in Georgetown. Of course I knew that Cayman was British, and thus you drive on the left. But my many years of crossing American streets and the instincts built up from such took over, and I was inchs from stepping into a speeding bus. Thankfully my buddy noticed my gaff, and saved me from a good ol fashioned clobering.
But if I did get smacked by said bus, I would of been able to stay longer on your beautiful island, albeit in a Hospital. It would of been worth it!
Tom
MB, I agree and I wouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t already started experimenting on humans already.
I can see the military looking at breeding supersoldiers and mass producing them for any war. Imagine a Navy Seal team that can stay much longer underwater (this may all sound like a comic book - but what are the limitations).
Very interesting and I’m sure testing is being done on humans also.
Bull,
Being a Cruise tourist and a stay onthe island tourist to the Caymans three times, I can definitely say, I would pay money to have a guided tour of the island. But not to all the usual tourist spots, like a straw market or downtown. I suppose the difference between this tour and the many available ones, is that this one would be positioned as more exclusive where there are not huge crowds of people on the same tour, but maybe just one family. Stop and eat at a nice local place that serves authentic foods and go see some of the more out of the way places.