David A. Christopher

In the following viewpoint, David A. Christopher describes various ways in which genetic engineering techniques could be used to improve medicine, industry, agriculture, and the environment. He maintains that genetic engineering will someday be used to cure genetic diseases, produce inexpensive medicines, and breed superior plants and animals. He also predicts that scientists will genetically engineer bacteria to produce fuel and degrade toxic chemicals and other pollutants into harmless compounds such as carbon dioxide. Christopher is associate professor in the Department of Plant Molecular Physiology and Molecular Biosciences and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Hawaii.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How does the author define the term “recombinant DNA technology”?
2. What term does Christopher use to describe the practice of using farm animals as factories for medicines and pharmaceuticals?
3. How...