How can biology solve the problems facing humans?

Question

e.g. Global warming, Pollution (air and water), Cancer, AIDS, Overpopulation, Poverty, Famine, Drought, Disease, Waste disposal etc.

Answer 1

Research - understanding the fundamental structures/functions behind different molecules can allow us to comprehend and combat disease

Answer 2

Identify and try to correct the numerous and increasing genetic defects in humans before they lead to our extinction.

"The number

of medically reported genetic disorders in 1966 was

1,487. The number reported by 1999 was 11,099. A

curve of best fit has an R2 of 0.995. These data are evidence

of devolution.

By 2031, it is estimated (R2 = 0.995) there will be 100,000 human genetic disorders and by 2096 1,000,000 (see Figure 3). “At least one clinical disorder has been related to 1,318 of the mapped loci (roughly 30%)” (McKusick, 1998, Vol. 1, xiii - xviii). That suggests genetic disorder saturation of each locus by 2031 and supersaturation by 2096. These data confirm human devolution and suggest imminent permanent genetic extinction in this century."

http://www.csulb.edu/~jmastrop/data3.htm...

Bacteria are also being developed which can digest and break down waste products and in some cases, turn them into methane or other gases which can be used for energy.

Some enzymes have been developed to break down oil spills and other contaminants.

Answer 3

Focus on botany.  We believe plants can save our ecosystems more than anything.

http://www.stuffintheair.com/ecosystem-f...

There's good reason for that, too.

Answer 4

Biology can only be used to solve the biggest problem of overpopulation (that would solve many of the other ones you mention) by teaching people that left unchecked, we are biologically programmed to over-produce until we are wiped out by disease or starvation or homo sapien induced environmental changes.

Answer 5

Make bacteria / plants that can convert CO2 into air faster to fight global warming. Make smaller people so they use less resources and produce less pollution. Make meat that can be grown in a factory instead of using live animals like cows.  

Answer 6

Technology--making the concepts of biology into reality.