The sequencing of the human genome has resulted in a biotechnological revolution that has impacted society in many ways. What to do with the information is on the minds of many researchers, both in the public and private sectors. Society has already benefited from genetic research in areas of food production, therapeutic drug development, pesticide development, identifying disease genes, and finding ways to treat and potentially cure genetic-based illnesses. As predisposing and disease causing genes are rapidly being discovered, however, the fear of genetic discrimination is intensifying. The downstream effects that genetics research has on both humans and the environment is as unforeseeable as the quickly emerging innovative applications that spawn from biotechnological advancements.

The cloning of the sheep Dolly has unleashed many concerns regarding how it will affect society, including how it has furthered the...