I thought to myself: What are the most important problems that society faces that I could contribute to? And it was clear that finding new sustainable sources of energy was the most important.
Frances ArnoldRead
We've been modifying the biological world at the level of DNA for thousands of years. Somehow there is this new fear of what we already have been doing and that fear has limited our ability to provide real solutions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humanity has a long history of altering DNA, yet recent fears surrounding genetic modification hinder progress.
Frances Arnold highlights the irony of human progress in genetic modification; while we have been altering biological materials at the DNA level for millennia, a newfound fear of these practices is now restricting our potential to find effective solutions to pressing problems. This sentiment urges us to reconsider our apprehensions and recognize the transformative power of biotechnology.
Themes
DnaGenetic ModificationFearSolutionBiotechnology
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a presentation on the advancements of genetic engineering in agriculture.
More from Frances Arnold
All quotes βI see a future in which nature gives us a helping hand. Instead of destroying the natural world, why can't we use it to solve the kinds of problems that we are facing?
Frances ArnoldRead
The DNA-encoded catalytic machinery of the cell can rapidly learn to promote new chemical reactions when we provide new reagents and the appropriate incentive in the form of artificial selection.
Frances ArnoldRead
My whole interest is, how do you use evolution as an innovation engine? How does evolution solve new problems that life faces? And to have a system that can create a whole new chemical bond that biology hasn't done before, to me, demonstrates the power of nature to innovate.
Frances ArnoldRead
Most innovative things are not obvious to other people at the time. You have to believe in yourself. If you've got a good idea, follow it even though others tell you it's not.
Frances ArnoldRead
What I want to do is encourage women to take on this incredibly exciting and fun challenge to use their brains for the benefit of humanity but through science and technology.
Frances ArnoldRead
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