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James Dewey Watson was born in the city of Chicago on 6 th 1928 and studied in the universities of Copenhagen, Indiana, and Chicago. Watson later moved to the University of Cambridge. Francis Harry Campton Crick was born in Northampton on 8 th June 1916 (Sussman, 2018). Crick studied physics but later changed biology and started working as a researcher at the University of Cambridge in 1949. Crick was joined by Watson in 1951, and the two began working together. Crick and Watson studied the composition of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), a molecule containing the hereditary information about cells. In 1953, Watson and Crick discovered the molecular structure of DNA based on the double helix as its all known features. Watson and Crick's model explained how hereditary information was coded on DNA and how it replicates (Zhang, Wohlhueter, & Zhang, 2016) . Their works have set a stage for more advancement in molecular biology, and the two have also received numerous prizes, including the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Genetic Engineering: GMO Foods and Cloning
The modern era of genetic engineering, which introduced genetically modified food organisms as well as cloning, began with Crick and Watson's DNA model. In all the living organisms, the basic structure of DNA is identical, but their different characteristics are determined the DNA base sequences (Sussman, 2018). In 1992, Watson discovered that one or more specific genes could be taken from viruses, bacteria or animals and be introduced into other organisms' genome to form recombination. Later, researchers starting with Gregor Medel discovered how genes could be passed down from one generation to another.
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From Watson and Crick's discovery, scientists learned that sequences of DNA and specific genes could be used by RNA to create different sequences of amino acids. The amino acids could then be translated into specific genetic traits. After these processes were comprehended plant breeders started modifying specific plant genes, DNA cloning, and controlling desirable traits to produce Genetically Modified Foods (Zhang, Wohlhueter, & Zhang, 2016) . The stem cells were an essential area of genetic research, which was discovered by Professor Martin Evans of Cardiff University. The discovery of altering animal and plant stem cells became a breakthrough that led to the development of new treatments to the curing of genetic diseases. Watson and Crick knew the structure of DNA was the key to understanding the copying of genetic information. In, turn the knowledge led to finding cures to plant and human diseases.
For many years, cloning has been one of the most controversial uses of genetic engineering. An example of gene cloning is the golden rice. Golden rice is a genetically modified food that contains the beta-carotene vitamin. Beta-carotene is a vitamin used to make carrots orange. Golden rice is thus a product of cloning beta-carotene to edible parts of rice (Sussman, 2018). Scientists have come up with different ways of treating genetic diseases by understanding how genes can go wrong. Genetic therapy is an example of a method used to cure inherited diseases (Zhang, Wohlhueter, & Zhang, 2016) . The curing process involves the repairing of defective genes by augmenting them with healthier versions. A blood transfusion containing an individual's genetically modified cells cures the defective Gamma C gene-disease.
Pros and Cons of DNA Technology
DNA technology has proven to have several advantages. Through DNA technology, artificial insulin is produced to help diabetic people produce insulin (Zhang, Wohlhueter, & Zhang, 2016) . This has helped increase the life expectancy of diabetic people after diagnosis. Additionally, DNA technology has led to improvements in food production. Vegetables and fruits are more resistant to pest attacks due to genetic modifications. The advancements have also led to an increase in crop yields and production of crops with higher nutritional contents (Sussman, 2018). By using DNA technology, scientists have been working to produce new and improved vaccines. The vaccines are useful in protecting people against diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Despite the advantages, DNA technology has several drawbacks. The main drawback of DNA technology is its unethical nature. Critics argue that DNA technology goes against religious beliefs and the laws of nature by giving humans much control over the most crucial building blocks of life (Zhang, Wohlhueter, & Zhang, 2016) . Although multiple studies show that genetically modified foods are safe, many people worry about the safety of food and medicines used to modify them.
Paramedic Plants
There are several plants that have been researched and tested to be of medicinal value. The parts of these plants, including flowers, leaves, seeds, stalks, stems, nuts, and roots, are widely used because of their health-enhancing and therapeutic properties (Wijesekera, 2018). The Chamomile flower is a paramedic plant that is commonly used as a sedative and anxiolytic for relaxation and anxiety. In Europe, it is used reducing inflammations, swelling, and healing of wounds (Tschofen et al., 2016) . Chamomile is produced by drying its flowers, which are then infused into hot water to make tea. The flowers are preserved by drying in the dark dry and warm space.
Another paramedic plant is the Echinacea, which is used to prevent and treat flu, colds, wounds, and infections. Echinacea medicine is produced from the seeds, stem, and different parts of the plant, which are dried at a moderate temperature of 21 to 26 degree Celsius (Tschofen et al., 2016) . The bud and leaves can be preserved by storing the dried parts in an outright container and a dark area. Feverfew is also a paramedic plant that is used to treat arthritis and prevent migraines (Wijesekera, 2017). It is also used to treat toothaches, menstruation problems, insect bites, infertility, and stomach aches. Feverfew medicine is produced from the leaves of the plant which are then stored in a jar and a cool, dark place for preservation.
Plant medicines have proven to be useful over many years and can be obtained from different species of plants in farms. They have financial, health, and society-wide benefits to people who use them. They are reliable and have healed different ailments through their remedies. However, I think that the development of plant medicines has not been supported by adequate research and scientific evidence. They also have poor drug processing practices and insufficient financing. Thus, they are a threat to the health safety of people and can cause substantial effects to people who consume them.
References
Sussman, I. (2018). 65 Years of The Double Helix: Could Watson and Crick have envisioned the true impact of their discovery? Endocrine-related cancer , 25 (8), E9-E11.
Tschofen, M., Knopp, D., Hood, E., & Stöger, E. (2016). Plant molecular farming: much more than medicines. Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry , 9 , 271-294.
Wijesekera, R. O. B. (2017). Plant-derived medicines and their role in global health. The Medicinal Plant Industry (pp. 1-18). Routledge.
Zhang, C., Wohlhueter, R., & Zhang, H. (2016). Genetically modified foods: A critical review of their promise and problems. Food Science and Human Wellness , 5 (3), 116-123.
