If successful, children in underserved countries could be protected from the virus. Developing countries are not the only ones to benefit from biotechnology. Closer to home, Hawaii's papaya industry was saved from a deadly virus. Many U.S. farmers now can use fewer insecticides and herbicides on their cotton and soybean crops - resulting in less pollution and bigger profits. Paul Hintze, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs of St. John's Mercy Health Care, said the jury is still out on biotechnological advancements.
Most physicians are both hopeful and cautious about the promise of biotechnology.
I suspect that we will see small accomplishments lead to great successes as time passes, but that it will take longer than most people anticipate.