2014 Second Annual National Wormhole Week Blogfest:
Presented by Stephen Tremp and hosted by
In this blogfest we are to name one thing where science advances mankind, and one where technology, with unforeseen consequences, will go too far and set mankind back. Example: De-Extinction, or bringing back extinction species through back breeding, genetic engineering, and cloning. Something where science takes a huge leap forward, but also backfires. With all the breakthrough discoveries mankind is on the cusp of, are we playing God?
I think the work being done with DNA in discovering the causes and cures of genetic diseases is one of the greatest advancements in medicine that we are seeing happen in our lifetimes. It's a wonderful thing.
There are also things being done with genes that are quite interesting, like spider genes in goats. Their milk has a protein in it which, when processed, produces spider silk, the strongest fiber known to exist. If this kind of silk can be produced cheaply and plentifully its uses will be numerous.
However, I think there's a danger in taking genetic engineering too far, particularly in humans. Should we allow parents to pick and choose the genetic qualities they want in their children? How far should we let genetic manipulation go? The line between "good" and "dangerous" science seems hazy and gray to me. We could inadvertently create monsters if we aren't careful.
This week just happens to coincide with the release of Stephen Tremp's new book and third in his series, ESCALATION.
Escalations Synopsis: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." Albert Einstein I.
In Escalation, the final installment to Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Trilogy, a seemingly innocent discovery in Einstein-Rosen Bridges, or wormholes, becomes a Pandora’s Box—opening doors to other unexpected and unpredictable realities such as parallel universes, time/space travel, and an evil hitchhiker from another dimension.
Chase Manhattan has survived attempts on his life from numerous sources in his effort to destroy the technology. But he is far from safe. Now Chase and his comrades must not only break world renowned physicist Professor Nicholas Fischer out of prison a second time, but also smuggle him across hostile borders in Europe and the Middle East to prevent events threatening to spiral into World War III.
Congratulations, Stephen!
 |
| Click HERE to join and learn all about the challenge! |
As a member of M.J.'s AZTechs, I'm here to remind you about the A to Z Challenge.
We are just FOUR WEEKS away from April 1st. Have you got a theme? Do you have any of your posts scheduled?
Come on people! JOIN THE FUN. Sign up and go insane with the rest of us.
Excellent choice for this wormfest Genetic engineering and its consequences frighten me. (I think I really missed the point).
ReplyDeleteExcellent points. Genetic engineering in humans is a scary thing.
ReplyDeleteChallenge is coming soon, folks!
Thanks for participating in the blogfest.
Great post. DNA has so much potential for good, but we have to watch for the dangers you mention.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Stephen on his book release!
Messing with DNA is scary. It really is like playing God.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Jurassic Park is fiction, I think there's a lot to learn there about messing with DNA.
ReplyDeleteStephen's latest sounds incredible.
You covered all the bases today, didn't you? I'm a wee bit envious. ;) (Although, I did start putting my AtoZ sig on my comments.)
ReplyDeleteAdvances in technology seem to be like one of those scales, where you try to keep the weights in the two dishes even? Tech can take us so far, before the scales tip and we have to find a way to restore equilibrium.
LuAnn, Wormfester #26
AJ's Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
Bish I'm against genetic engineering - while I can see its medical benefits I don't think human beings are an advanced enough species to deal with the ramifications and proper uses of GE properly without trying to play God. Mayeb in 1000 years we'll be spiritually and mature enough as a species to cope with the choices required for responsible GE. I'm an old fogie I know. :(
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post though and congrats to Stephen!
Judy Croome, South Africa
Greetings human, Bish,
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the Wormhole Week Blogfest Slugfest....
Please, not another blog fest, I beg you, make them STOP! :)
Congrats to Stephen for having his latest book released. My latest book release is subject to a pardon by the parole board.
Spiders genes in goats. What a web of intrigue that is. I've goat to be kidding. Seriously, your're right. Genetic engineering could go too far in human selection preferences.
The alphabet challenge? Argghhhh!!! and no thank you!
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)
Spider genes in goats? Who'd have thought? I think that's the most fascinating random factoid I've learned in a long time. Thanks, Bish.
ReplyDeleteI love the energy behind Stephen's blogfest. May it be a sign of great success for him.
xoRobyn
Are we really humans? Maybe we are genetically modified aliens...
ReplyDeleteACK! Don't mess with the DNA. I think the spider gene thing is very interesting. But messing with DNA in humans is just horrid. To answer your question, YES. We are. And God doesn't like it. It can only lead us down a very dangerous road.
ReplyDeleteBish, thanks for the shout out and for participating in 2014 Wormfest!
ReplyDeleteGenetic engineering offers wonderful and terrifying prospects.
We as a society can only hope for the best and that our governments are responsible (that's also a scary thought) while protecting us from those who wish us harm.
I love thinking about where that line exists for genetic engineering (and making my students think about it :). It's a difficult subject, and brings up some really important questions about eugenics and what is a "perfect" human!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Stephen! Wishing him well with his book and other adventures.
ReplyDeleteOh, Robyn says you can be the 4th amigo. :D Thanks for commenting on her interview!
Sounds like a fun challenge.
ReplyDeletePlaying with genetic make-up has a potential of great promise for humankind, but the monsters that could be created is a scary thought.
ReplyDeleteA to Z is coming like an out of control snowball down the mountainside, but thus is the nature of time.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Sending good wishes and positive energy to Stephen!
ReplyDeleteHave fun with A-Z. This year I'm taking a blog break in April.
I agree that genetic engineering could create monsters. I read a couple of years ago in the newspaper (Telegraph) that there were scientists seriously thinking about producing pigs with human bodies to supply body parts. Before I read this I thought it could only be fiction. Sometimes things are best left alone. DNA is great as it is!
ReplyDeleteVery good Wormfest blog.
Yes, Congratulations to Stephen!
ReplyDeleteI also like how DNA helps solve crimes these days. It's really changed the world in quite a few wonderful ways.
Spider genes in goats??!!! Crazy and brilliant. Genetic engineering with humans is scary because you just know that if possible some people will opt to do everything possible to sire the "perfect" child and that could involve some unsavory choices.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be far more interesting if people could self-select to modify themselves upon reaching legal adulthood, and not be subject to the meddling of their parents. Just because someone has produced offspring doesn't automatically make them a good judge of what sorts of modifications they ought to make in their children. Heck, some parents can't even get it right with all the tools and technology they have on-hand now...
ReplyDeleteGenetics is an interesting field, but we do need to have some sort of monitoring. If you haven't read Ender, by O. Scott Card, the main character and his siblings were a genetically modified experiment. . .
ReplyDeleteHere from the Wormfest, and yes, I have signed on for the A to Z!
You pose some good questions. I, too, appreciate the advancements in medicine, but think there is potential danger with too much tampering.
ReplyDeleteCongrats again to Stephen. He's all over the blogosphere today!
Like you, while I'm excited about the advances in this field, I'm cautious about its application. Let's hope the good far outweighs the not so good.
ReplyDeleteI didn't sign up for the Wormhole Blogfest. Just too much going on right now. I'll do something for Stephen on my blog after the initial excitement fades. It's always good to continue with a presence over time.
Yeah, genetics is definitely an interesting subject. I love how they've altered plants to produce larger fruits/veges or more abundantly. That's epic, but I'm not such a fan of them messing with human genetics either.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the A to Z Challenge! It's going to be epic.
Hopefully I'm better late than never here...
ReplyDeleteGreat topic, one I touch on a little myself. I try not to be a downer, but I see this going all kinds of wrong. People have tried to make super races before and now we're acquiring the tech to do it. I worry about the future.
Great post.