James Watson and Francis Crick, meanwhile, could be blamed for the battle currently being waged across Europe between those in favour of and those against genetically modified foodstuffs and the introduction of genetic manipulation, seen in a most profound way in Dolly the cloned sheep. They explained the molecular structure and function of DNA in 1953, work described by the scientist and writer, Peter Medawar, as the greatest scientific event of the 20th century.
Secondary-school students study Watson and Crick's discovery today as if it were no more than a recital of the capital cities of Europe, but 45 years ago our genetic blueprint was radical new territory that had yet to be mapped. The scientists explained the twisted-ladder shape of DNA and its exquisite folding which allows each of our cells to hold our entire genetic code. The DNA in each cell would stretch to two metres if unfolded, and if all the DNA in a single human were unravelled it would extend from the earth to the sun and back again, 186 million miles.
Their remarkable work caused a revolution in biochemical research that has also brought us an avalanche of ethical concerns. Once again, scientists were left without a well-defined ethical foundation from which to work. The technologies now available smack of eugenics and Huxley's Brave New World. There is wild and pointless talk of using such technologies to control the eye-colour of children yet to be born, but they also offer a staggering range of possible new medical treatments for genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and retinitis pigmentosa. Governments have been following after these discoveries at the prompting of their electorates in an attempt to establish the missing ethical guidelines, thought necessary to regulate the research and ensure abominations such as human cloning cannot occur. This aim has not been helped, however, by the confounding contribution made by lobbyists morally opposed to any form of genetic research, who exploit the media to raise doubts that have no grounding in science.
Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in the area of genetically modified foods. A very effective media campaign is being waged on both sides in an effort to win over a confused public. At stake are markets worth millions of pounds that have less to do with benefits to humankind than benefits to corporate bottom-lines. The technology involved in genetic research is profound and will continue to have very far-reaching effects on medicine, health and pharmaceuticals in the coming years. It holds much promise, such as the possibility of cheap and effective mass inoculation against disease being achieved simply by the population eating genetically modified foodstuffs. It also threatens horrors, including the risk that there are those willing to pursue unethical human experimentation.