Difference between revisions of "Team:Newcastle/Integrated Practices"
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<p> Yeast cells are so similar to human cells and therefore we need to take into account the effect of its fast reproducibility and how prone offspring are to inherit any present mutations through a germline-like modification. The effects would affect not only the “offspring” of the yeast but also all succeeding generations.</p> | <p> Yeast cells are so similar to human cells and therefore we need to take into account the effect of its fast reproducibility and how prone offspring are to inherit any present mutations through a germline-like modification. The effects would affect not only the “offspring” of the yeast but also all succeeding generations.</p> | ||
<p>In contrast to yeast cells, bacterial cells are further down this line of experimental specimens. Bacterial cells are prokaryotes and are simpler compared to Yeast cells. Bacteria also replicate faster than yeast cells (every 20-60 min) <a href ="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9917/"></a>. All cells from bacteria develop from a single cell of origin and are therefore essentially clones of the original cell. Also the molecular control of the bacterial cell cycles is well regulated.</p> | <p>In contrast to yeast cells, bacterial cells are further down this line of experimental specimens. Bacterial cells are prokaryotes and are simpler compared to Yeast cells. Bacteria also replicate faster than yeast cells (every 20-60 min) <a href ="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9917/"></a>. All cells from bacteria develop from a single cell of origin and are therefore essentially clones of the original cell. Also the molecular control of the bacterial cell cycles is well regulated.</p> | ||
| − | <p> In addition to the fore-mentioned, if we look at a timeline of organisms that we considered to be ethically, we are moving backwards. We have been using animals since the 1800s, but started using humans around the 1960s. In 2005 however NYC announced that they are no longer using humans in their experiments. In 2014 there was an uproar from PETA with the use of animals in experimentation. Consequently, if we are moving backwards in this line, bacteria are still the most ethical organisms to use for experiments.</p> | + | <p> In addition to the fore-mentioned, if we look at a <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/e/e1/T--Newcastle--Timeline_iGEM.jpg">timeline </a> of organisms that we considered to be ethically, we are moving backwards. We have been using animals since the 1800s, but started using humans around the 1960s. In 2005 however NYC announced that they are no longer using humans in their experiments. In 2014 there was an uproar from PETA with the use of animals in experimentation. Consequently, if we are moving backwards in this line, bacteria are still the most ethical organisms to use for experiments.</p> |
<p> After this conversation therefore we decided that using bacterial cells instead of yeast cells would be our best option. </p> | <p> After this conversation therefore we decided that using bacterial cells instead of yeast cells would be our best option. </p> | ||
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Revision as of 20:09, 15 October 2016
Integrated Human Practices
Human practices have played a very important role throughout the evolution of our experiment. Initially, for the creation of the microbial fuel cell we were planning on using Redding Yeast Cells instead of Escherichia Coli (E.Coli).
After a conversation with Dr.Simon Woods, Co-Director of PEALS (Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences), we came to the realization that there were ethical implications behind using yeast cells. Throughout the evolution of science we have constantly, with incremental steps, been pushing the boundaries of science with the use of technology. Depending on who you ask, people have different attitudes towards what is considered to be “right” and “wrong” with regards to how we treat living organisms.
The main conclusion we reached after our conversation was that people are more uncomfortable with the use of humans and animals in experiments mostly due to their reproducibility. This is immediately correlated with concerns regarding the complexity of the life-form and unforeseen complications from experimentation.
Moving down the “imaginary line of experimental specimens”, we have humans – animals – yeast cells – bacteria. Yeast cells have a eukaryotic structure and are therefore similar to human cells but grow and reproduce at a much faster rate; approximately every 2 hours . All cells from bacteria develop from a single cell of origin and are therefore essentially clones of the original cell. Also the molecular control of the bacterial cell cycles is well regulated.
In addition to the fore-mentioned, if we look at a timeline of organisms that we considered to be ethically, we are moving backwards. We have been using animals since the 1800s, but started using humans around the 1960s. In 2005 however NYC announced that they are no longer using humans in their experiments. In 2014 there was an uproar from PETA with the use of animals in experimentation. Consequently, if we are moving backwards in this line, bacteria are still the most ethical organisms to use for experiments.
After this conversation therefore we decided that using bacterial cells instead of yeast cells would be our best option.
