Back in 1983 the United States government approved the release of the first genetically modified organism. In this case it was a bacteria that prevents frost on food crops.

When you say 'fear of the unknown' that is the definition of fear fear is the unknown fear is what you do not know and it's genetically within us so that we feel safe. We feel scared of the woods because we're not familiar with it and that keeps you safe.

I align myself with almost all researchers in assuming that anything we do is a composite of whatever genetic limitations were given to us by our parents and whatever kinds of environmental opportunities are available.

The position I took at the time was that we hadn't really examined any of the potential environmental consequences of introducing genetically modified organisms.

It is absolutely imperative that we protect preserve and pass on this genetic heritage for man and every other living thing in as good a condition as we received it.

When I was born in 1970 with a rare genetic disorder called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SED) medical science wasn't what it is today and my mum and dad were treated terribly by the medical profession.

The next major explosion is going to be when genetics and computers come together. I'm talking about an organic computer - about biological substances that can function like a semiconductor.

We are all born with a unique genetic blueprint which lays out the basic characteristics of our personality as well as our physical health and appearance... And yet we all know that life experiences do change us.

Mild autism can give you a genius like Einstein. If you have severe autism you could remain nonverbal. You don't want people to be on the severe end of the spectrum. But if you got rid of all the autism genetics you wouldn't have science or art. All you would have is a bunch of social 'yak yaks.'

If you talk to geneticists they are constantly finding that your genes are being switched on and off because of the environment. Genes alone do not determine an exact path in your life.