The Future of Biotechnology

I am really honored to introduce my new guest blogger Jameson, a middle school student at Sts. Philip and James School in Long Island, NY. Jameson and I were introduced by his technology teacher and my Twitter pal George Haines. After learning of Jameson’s interest in food and technology, I invited him to guest post. He’s done an incredible job of articulating some of the potential benefits of biotechnology and how they relate to him and his generation. Enjoy and comment!

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Biotechnology is a major aspect of agricultural science that could potentially affect and change the future agricultural industry, along with the way that foods are prepared. Biotechnology is the use of certain organic chemicals that are used on foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to protect them against pesticides.

Normally, foods are treated with non-organic pesticides, and other chemicals, to keep bugs and other animals from picking at them. Currently, biotechnology-industries are trying to create organic chemicals that can work against, or even replace pesticides. The future can be introduced to healthy, fruits and vegetables, along with other foods, without the harmful chemicals that humans are currently being exposed to. Biotechnology offers a large variety of new foods, and ways of producing foods in the future, such as, producing higher crop yields, plants that are naturally protected from harmful diseases and insects, and possible more nutritious and better tasting foods.

There are many health benefits that biotechnology offers. One way that biotechnology can effect the future health of humans, is by eliminating allergens that are found in peanuts, which is a large source of allergies. Biotechnology-industries are also trying to eliminate allergens from wheat, and other foods. Biotechnology-made-foods could also make healthy foods that help produce energy that helps make people feel better. Biotechnology could also possibly cure diseases in the future such as cancer and diabetes.

In my perspective as a 7th grader, I believe that the process of biotechnology effects my generation because currently, people my age enjoy more comfort-type foods, such as fast food. I believe when the process of biotechnology becomes perfected, younger people will become adapted to fresher food. Also, fast food will become fresher once it is introduced to biotechnology.

Personally, I have some family and friends that have allergies, such as wheat, and I understand that it is a challenge to find good food that accommodates their allergies. I believe when biotechnology finds a good solution to accommodate wheat allergies, it will be much easier to find a quality non-wheat solution to eat. Also, it will be much more satisfying to find a good food that fits a particular allergy, so you don’t have to worry accidentally eating a food with allergens.

In conclusion, biotechnology can possibly be a large change in the food industry. It will possibly be a very large positive effect on food in the future.

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Jameson is a middle school student in Long Island, N.Y. He plays the saxophone. He also plays paintball, baseball, and runs cross country. He is very interested in technology. He also enjoys food very much.

What inspired Jameson to write about biotechnology, was a conversation beween him and his technology teacher, Mr. Haines. They discussed biotechnology, and how it will have an affect on food in the future.