 This is a GMO flower | |
| Author | Dane Johnson and Pam Atadero |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror, Gothic, Romance |
| Published | 2014 |
| Pages | 4 |
The book Frankenstein is a book by Mary Shelly that asks tough questions of the scientific world. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Organisms that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals. GMOs are the source of genetically modified foods and are also widely used in scientific research and to produce goods other than food. The term GMO is very close to the technical legal term, 'living modified organism' defined in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which regulates international trade in living GMOs (specifically, "any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology"). A GMO has altered genetic material in order to create an improved product.
Frankenstein's Monster edit
Frankenstein’s monster is a being that was created by fictional scientist Victor Frankenstein, who created the monster through the advancements in science of the 19th century. In the novel, the monster is identified via words such as "creature", "monster", "fiend", "wretch", "vile insect", "daemon", "being", and "it". The scientific breakthroughs used to create the monster were findings that a jolt of electricity through a deceased body would cause movement, often in the furthermost appendages. Often mislabeled as “Frankenstein”, the monster was created from a “spark of existence” (II.viii.138) to a body that Victor Frankenstein created from “bones from charnel-houses” (I.iv.55), “the dissecting room and the slaughter-house” (I.iv.55). Victor created the monster to his own specifications.
“Although I possessed the capacity of bestowing animation, yet to prepare a frame for the reception of it, with all its intricacies of fibres, muscles and veins, still remained a work of inconceivable difficulty. As the minuteness of the parts formed a great hindrance to my speed, I resolved, contrary to my first intention, to make the being of a gigantic stature; that is to say about eight feet in height, and proportionately large” (I.iv.54).
Relations between GMOs and Mary Shelly's Frankenstien edit
While Frankenstein’s monster himself can be classified as a Genetically Modified Organism, the two are not directly related. However, the novel serves as a cautionary tale warning against genetic engineering. Frankenstein wanted to
“pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation” (I.iii.49),
and so created a creature to be the apex of human beauty by selecting the most aesthetically pleasing features; its
“limbs were in proportion, and [he] had selected his features as beautiful...his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness” (I.v.58).
But each of these individual beautiful features put together in a life were viewed with “horror and disgust” (I.v.58), which likely arise from the sight of something so unnatural. Likewise, many condemn GMOs as unnatural and therefore unhealthy, but they were marketed to be more beneficial than their organic counterparts. In spite of the intention of a better product,
“The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urges doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets for all patients. They cite animal studies showing organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated aging, and infertility” (The Institute for Responsible Technology).
Both the creature of the novel Frankenstein and Genetically Modified Organisms can be viewed as scientific research that have gone wrong. The latter do not have the desire to inspire fear, and yet they do, and the former has the opposite ambition, proven by his own statement:
“if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear” (II.ix.148).
Both have the same end result, in that they embody controversial science and are widely feared and avoided.
Harmful Effects of both GMO and Frankenstein's Monster edit
Unlike the Creature created by Victor Frankenstein, Genetically Modified Organisms must be ingested in order to directly affect a specific individual’s health. The Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology published a study in November 2012, and it was titled “Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize”. Roundup Ready crops are those genetically modified to be resistant to the herbicide Roundup, a weed-resistant herbicide produced by Monsanto (MIT). The study found that tumors found in their laboratory rats were linked to genetically modified corn, but the study was later retracted from the reputable scientific journal (Global Research.ca).
Another research study performed in Canada successfully identified traces of pesticides associated with genetically modified foods in maternal, fetal, and non-pregnant women’s blood, along with the presence of Monsanto’s Bt toxin. The Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) protein is used as a repellent that targets specific species of insect. These trace amounts are potentially toxic to the fetus and could disrupt the biological events required to ensure natural growth and development (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health).
The monster in Frankenstein acts of its own free will, and does not have to be interacted with first in order to be of harm to human beings. He was directly responsible for the deaths of three people—Henry, Elizabeth, and William, who were all murdered by the creature. It can also be argued that he was the cause of Justine’s death, who was falsely accused of murdering William and then was executed for that murder. Additionally, the death of Victor’s father may be attributed to the monster, because Victor’s father dies from grief produced by the deaths of those close to him.
Original Intent edit
The concept of genetically modified organisms is an optimistic one: crops that are resistant to diseases, bugs, pesticides, and can be produced in mass amounts easily. The manipulation of the DNA, however, has had disastrous effects, such as increased toxicity, decreased nutritional value, and antibiotic resistance.
Frankenstein created a being to be a kind of super-human, and at first it wished to connect with people and did so by attempting to enter houses and villages, assisting a family, and saving a small girl from drowning. GMOs did not choose to be harmful to people; conversely, the creature in Frankenstein murdered for the first time out of rage at his creator.
Notes edit
This page was created as an English project for Professor David Widzisz. This page reflects the collective efforts of Dane Johnson AND Pam Atadero. All rights reserved.