Hearing recent history

Track 1 - 1970s

The 1970s saw the birth of modern biotechnology. In 1973, Herb Boyer and Stanley Cohen showed it was possible to take a human gene and put it in a bacterium that could then mass-produce quantities of that gene. Bacteria were genetically engineered to produce human insulin and scientists immediately recognised the industrial possibilities of this discovery, but also the potential dangers.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 1

Track 2 - 1970s (part 2)

A voluntary moratorium on biotech research and the subsequent Asilomar conference of 1975 saw the first safety regulations for biotechnology. In 1976, Herb Boyer teamed up with a venture capitalist to form Gentech, the world's first genetic engineering company. Their goal was to genetically modify bacteria to produce human insulin, and Boyer became the first molecular multi-millionaire.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 2

Track 3 - 1980s

The 1980s saw more great advances in biotechnology. In 1980 Cohen and Boyer were awarded a US patent for gene cloning that allowed them to make human insulin from GM bacteria. The world's first GM vaccine was created for hepatitis B.

The first genetically modified organisms were released into the environment, GM foods were created and the anti-biotechnology movement began. Jeremy Rifkin was an important anti-biotechnology activist who argued against awarding the first patent for a GM bacterium that could break down oil.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 3

Track 4 - 1980s (part 2)

Jeremy Rifkin continued his campaign against scientists' 'tampering' by transferring genes from one species to another and prevented field trials of GM potatoes for five years. He argued that the development of monoculture GM crops could endanger the world's food supply.

Australia saw its first GMO release in the form of an Agrobacterium that no longer caused crown gall, but instead conferred protection.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 4

Track 5 - 1980s - The impacts of PCR

The new technique of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) generated a series of new applications. Scientists could analyse bacteria in ancient rocks, speed up drug development and in 1984, scientists accidentally discovered DNA fingerprinting using PCR. This now generates evidence for use in courts across the world and some countries now have large DNA databases.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 5

Track 6 - 1980s - Human Genome Project

Plans were announced to embark on the most ambitious biological project ever - the Human Genome Project. The first draft of the human genome was available in 2000 - 12 years after the project began and three years ahead of schedule. It is thought the information about the human genome will allow scientists to find out the role of different genes and how they interact. It also raised ethical issues about the use of the information and access to any treatments that it generates.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 6

Track 7 - 1990s - Specific genes are identified

Researchers pinpointed genes that cause diseases such as obesity, Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. In 1990, the gene that determines gender was found and a few years later the 'gay gene' was discovered. In 1994, John Wasmuth found the gene for dwarfism and realised his work was going to raise controversial ethical issues.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 7

Track 8 - 1990s - Cloning and stem cells

In 1997 Dolly the sheep was cloned, raising fears that humans would also be cloned and scientists would create designer babies.

In 2000, Professor Alan Trounson from Monash University announced he had taken stem cells from human embryos and grown them in the lab, highlighting their potential for developing a cure for paraplegia, Parkinson's disease and diabetes. Embryonic stem cell research led to public debate over the potential benefits and the ethics of harvesting human embryos.

In 2002 politicians voted to allow stem cell research to continue and Prime Minister John Howard announced funding for a new Centre for Stem Cell and Tissue Repair.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 8

Track 9 - 2001- Biotechnology unravels the past

Australian anthropologist Dr Alan Thorne from the Australian National University used biotechnology to analyse DNA from skeletons found in the dried-up bed of Lake Mungo in the western outback of New South Wales. Thorne controversially dated the skeleton to be 60,000 years old - the oldest Australian ever found - and suggested humans arrived in Australia 70,000 year ago, allowing 10,000 years for humans to migrate from the north of Australia to Lake Mungo.

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 9

Track 10 - Looking into the future

Although the anti-biotechnology movement began in the 1970s, there continue to be ethical issues relating to biotechnology and increased persistent fears of the potential dangers of GM organisms. People are still concerned about the implications of the Human Genome Project and the safety of GM food.

Where will biotechnology take us in the future?

Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 10

Read or listen to the Biotech Revolution from the 1970s to now, including attitudes, fears and news online at the ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/biotech/default.htm

Biotechnology Australia Biotechnology Online Current News Teaching Support Curriculum Resources Glossary Site Map About us
What is biotechnology? Then and now Then Now Hearing recent history Gene technology DNA and genes Why do we do biotechnology? How do you do biotechnology? More information on biotechnology basics Regulation of gene technology in Australia Ethics of biotechnology Human uses Environment Food and agriculture Careers	Hearing recent history Track 1 - 1970s The 1970s saw the birth of modern biotechnology. In 1973, Herb Boyer and Stanley Cohen showed it was possible to take a human gene and put it in a bacterium that could then mass-produce quantities of that gene. Bacteria were genetically engineered to produce human insulin and scientists immediately recognised the industrial possibilities of this discovery, but also the potential dangers. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 1 Track 2 - 1970s (part 2) A voluntary moratorium on biotech research and the subsequent Asilomar conference of 1975 saw the first safety regulations for biotechnology. In 1976, Herb Boyer teamed up with a venture capitalist to form Gentech, the world's first genetic engineering company. Their goal was to genetically modify bacteria to produce human insulin, and Boyer became the first molecular multi-millionaire. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 2 Track 3 - 1980s The 1980s saw more great advances in biotechnology. In 1980 Cohen and Boyer were awarded a US patent for gene cloning that allowed them to make human insulin from GM bacteria. The world's first GM vaccine was created for hepatitis B. The first genetically modified organisms were released into the environment, GM foods were created and the anti-biotechnology movement began. Jeremy Rifkin was an important anti-biotechnology activist who argued against awarding the first patent for a GM bacterium that could break down oil. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 3 Track 4 - 1980s (part 2) Jeremy Rifkin continued his campaign against scientists' 'tampering' by transferring genes from one species to another and prevented field trials of GM potatoes for five years. He argued that the development of monoculture GM crops could endanger the world's food supply. Australia saw its first GMO release in the form of an Agrobacterium that no longer caused crown gall, but instead conferred protection. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 4 Track 5 - 1980s - The impacts of PCR The new technique of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) generated a series of new applications. Scientists could analyse bacteria in ancient rocks, speed up drug development and in 1984, scientists accidentally discovered DNA fingerprinting using PCR. This now generates evidence for use in courts across the world and some countries now have large DNA databases. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 5 Track 6 - 1980s - Human Genome Project Plans were announced to embark on the most ambitious biological project ever - the Human Genome Project. The first draft of the human genome was available in 2000 - 12 years after the project began and three years ahead of schedule. It is thought the information about the human genome will allow scientists to find out the role of different genes and how they interact. It also raised ethical issues about the use of the information and access to any treatments that it generates. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 6 Track 7 - 1990s - Specific genes are identified Researchers pinpointed genes that cause diseases such as obesity, Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. In 1990, the gene that determines gender was found and a few years later the 'gay gene' was discovered. In 1994, John Wasmuth found the gene for dwarfism and realised his work was going to raise controversial ethical issues. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 7 Track 8 - 1990s - Cloning and stem cells In 1997 Dolly the sheep was cloned, raising fears that humans would also be cloned and scientists would create designer babies. In 2000, Professor Alan Trounson from Monash University announced he had taken stem cells from human embryos and grown them in the lab, highlighting their potential for developing a cure for paraplegia, Parkinson's disease and diabetes. Embryonic stem cell research led to public debate over the potential benefits and the ethics of harvesting human embryos. In 2002 politicians voted to allow stem cell research to continue and Prime Minister John Howard announced funding for a new Centre for Stem Cell and Tissue Repair. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 8 Track 9 - 2001- Biotechnology unravels the past Australian anthropologist Dr Alan Thorne from the Australian National University used biotechnology to analyse DNA from skeletons found in the dried-up bed of Lake Mungo in the western outback of New South Wales. Thorne controversially dated the skeleton to be 60,000 years old - the oldest Australian ever found - and suggested humans arrived in Australia 70,000 year ago, allowing 10,000 years for humans to migrate from the north of Australia to Lake Mungo. Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 9 Track 10 - Looking into the future Although the anti-biotechnology movement began in the 1970s, there continue to be ethical issues relating to biotechnology and increased persistent fears of the potential dangers of GM organisms. People are still concerned about the implications of the Human Genome Project and the safety of GM food. Where will biotechnology take us in the future? Listen to this audio from the ABC - Track 10 Read or listen to the Biotech Revolution from the 1970s to now, including attitudes, fears and news online at the ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/biotech/default.htm
Privacy statement Copyright and disclaimer Credits Feedback

Biotechnology Online