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OCR for page 9
1
Introduction
me outcome of the best science is unpredictable. But
scientific research at times yields a unifying idea or
theory--a key that revolutionizes the understanding of a
specific area of science and opens the way to new
discoveries and practical applications. This has just
happened in biology with molecular genetics.
The development of genetic theory, the growing
understanding of the DNA molecule, and the expanding
capabilities in cell and tissue culture present
scientists with a fresh starting point for progress
toward unpredictable but potentially great rewards.
Just as the hand lens and its progressive refinement
to the electron microscope allowed the visualization of
the invisible, the tools of molecular genetics and tissue
culture now allow the isolation and manipulation of
invisible hereditary determinants. With these tools
biology is evolving beyond the realm of the descriptive.
What scientists have come to understand thus far about
plants and animals is impressive. This basic knowledge
has been swiftly carried forward by application. The
result is an overall increase in U.S. agricultural
productivity of 240 percent in the past 50 years.1
This increase is characterized by dairy cows that have
more than doubled milk production per cow since 1950
and by grain production that helps to feed the growing
world population.
~ What scientists will now be able to accomplish through
the use of molecular genetic techniques is awesome.
1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research
Service. 1983. Agricultural Research Service Program
Plan: 6-Year Implementation Plan, 1984-1990. Miscella-
neous publication number 1429. Washington, O.C.
9
OCR for page 10
10
Using these techniques of the new biology, scientists
possess the ability to visualize the gene--to isolate,
clone, and study the structure of a single gene and study
its relationships to the processes of living things.
me molecular genetic and recombinant DNA techniques
are opportunities to be seized. m ey are tools, not an
end in themselves. They can be employed to discover
additional basic information about genes and the protein
products that trigger a response to disease, regulate
growth and development, or govern communication between
cells and between organs. More broadly, these techniques
offer opportunities to explore basic questions in genet-
ics, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, and neuro-
biology in innovative ways and from new perspectives.
This report points to the great potential of molecular
genetic techniques and suggests how they might be coupled
with other current methods to yield new insights into
studies of food animals, crop plants, and plant pathogens
and insect pests. It emphasizes the usefulness of these
techniques--as tools--in studying important biological
questions. To be slow in acknowledging and employing the
power of these tools would be to delay the progress of
U.S. agriculture.
In addition to discussions and recommendations on the
combined techniques that will benefit studies on animals,
crop plants, and plant pathogens-and insect pests, the
report presents an outline of those most important
conditions that can collectively provide the appropriate
environment for this research. These conditions include
the availability of funds, quality researchers, suitable
facilities, and equipment, and, particularly, the
presence of an attitude that encourages and supports
scientific research of the highest caliber.
At times, individuals and institutions must try to
predict the direction of scientific research to meet the
pressing needs of program planning, funding, and organi-
zation. There is some danger in prediction. The imple-
mentation of a rigid program structure can lead re-
searchers toward attempts to fulfill an inaccurate pre-
diction rather than encourage them to follow the path of
the important unanswered question.
This report does not predict outcomes. It identifies
areas of research that the committee believes hold the
greatest promise for increased understanding of the
biology of animals, plants, and pests and increased
agricultural efficiency and productivity for the United
States.
Representative terms from entire chapter:
insect pests
