20-06-2011, 12:21 PM
[attachment=14144] What is Genetic Engineering?
The genes present in the body of all living organisms helps determine the organism’s habits. Genetic engineering is defined as a set of technologies that are used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move the genes from one species to another to produce new organisms. The techniques used are highly sophisticated manipulations of genetic material and other biologically important chemicals.
Genetic engineering is the the use of various methods to manipulate the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)of cells to produce biological products or to change hereditary traits. Techniques used include using needles to insert DNA into an ovum, hybridomas (hybrids of cancer cells and of cells that make a desired antibody), and recombinant DNA, in which the DNA of a desired gene is inserted into the DNA of a bacterium. The bacterium then reproduces itself, yielding more of the desired gene. Another type is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which referrs to a lab process in which a particular DNA segment is quickly replicated to create a large, easily analyzable sample. The process makes perfect copies of DNA fragments and is used in DNA fingerprinting.
Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic code by artificial means, and is therefore different from traditional selective breeding.
Genetic engineering examples include taking the gene that programs poison in the tail of a scorpion, and combining it with a cabbage. These genetically modified cabbages kill caterpillers because they have learned to grow scorpion poison (insecticide) in their sap.
Genetic engineering also includes insertion of human genes into sheep so that they secrete alpha-1 antitrypsin in their milk - a useful substance in treating some cases of lung disease.
Genetic engineering has created a chicken with four legs and no wings.
Genetic engineering has created a goat with spider genes that creates "silk" in its milk.
Genetic engineering works because there is one language of life: human genes work in bacteria, monkey genes work in mice and earthworms. Tree genes work in bananas and frog genes work in rice. There is no limit in theory to the potential ofgenetic engineering.
Genetic engineering has given us the power to alter the very basis of life on earth.
Genetic engineering has been said to be no different than ancient breeding methods but this is untrue. For a start, breeding or cross-breeding, or in-breeding (for example to make pedigree dogs) all work by using the same species. In contrast genetic engineering allows us to combine fish, mouse, human and insect genes in the same person or animal.
Genetic engineering therefore has few limits - except our imagination, and our moral orethical code.
Genetic engineering makes the whole digital revolution look nothing. Digital technology changes what we do. Genetic engineering has the power to change who we are.
Human cloning is a type of genetic engineering, but is not the same as truegenetic manipulation. In human cloning, the aim is to duplicate the genes of an existing person so that an identical set is inside a human egg. The result is intended to be a cloned twin, perhaps of a dead child. Genetic engineering in its fullest form would result in the child produced having unique genes - as a result of laboratory interference, and therefore the child will not be an identikit twin.
Genetic engineering could create crops that grow in desert heat, or without fertiliser. Genetic engineering could make bananas or other fruit which contain vaccines or othermedical products.
Genetic engineering will alter the basis of life on earth - permanently - unless controlled. This could happen if - say - mutant viruses, or bacteria, or fish or reptiles are released into the general environment.
If genetic engineering is defined as changing an organism's DNA to make it more beneficial, genetic engineering has been going on for a very, very long time in the form of selective breeding. However, actually going into a cell and changing its genome by inserting or removing DNA is a very new technology.
Ancient History
Selective breeding has been going on for countless generations. In fact, it is even mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 30:25 - 43). In the account, Jacob was employed as a shepherd under his father-in-law Laban. Instead of receiving wages, Jacob received the black, streaked, and spotted sheep, and Laban kept all the white sheep. Jacob craftily arranged for his black sheep to mate with Laban's white sheep, producing streaked and spotted sheep. Jacob did so well with this scheme that Laban's family began to get mad at Jacob, and he eventually had to leave.
Difficulties
Selective breeding is effective enough if the goal is to maintain or gradually improve a group of animals. Over the decades, selective breeding has brought us improved strains of cattle and specialized breeds of dogs. However, these advances have taken hundreds of years to effect. In addition to the time concerns, it is often impossible to know which traits will be transferred to the offspring.
Limits
Selective breeding is a long, tedious process that has its limits. It is impossible through selective breeding to mix traits from two totally different species. If a junkyard owner wanted a guard dog that could squirt ink like an octopus, he would be unable to create such an animal. It is physically impossible, because the genetics of life are such that traits from two different organisms cannot be mixed. That is where genetic engineering comes in.
The Progress
Modern genetic engineering began in 1973 when Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen used enzymes to cut a bacteria plasmid and insert another strand of DNA in the gap. Both bits of DNA were from the same type of bacteria, but this milestone, the invention of recombinant DNA technology, offered a window into the previously impossible -- the mixing of traits between totally dissimilar organisms. To prove that this was possible, Cohen and Boyer used the same process to put a bit of frog DNA into a bacteria.
Since 1973, this technology has been made more controllable by the discovery of new enzymes to cut the DNA differently and by mapping the genetic code of different organisms. Now that we have a better idea of what part of the genetic code does what, we have been able to make bacteria that produce human insulin for diabetics (previously came from livestock), as well as EPO for people on kidney dialysis (previously came from urine of people in third world countries with ringworm).
In 1990, a young child with an extremely poor immune system recieved genetic therapy. Some of her white blood cells were genetically manipulated and re-introduced into her bloodstream while she watched Sesame Street. These new cells have taken over for the original, weak white cells, and her immune system now works properly. Although relatively few people have had their cells genetically altered, these advances have made the prospect of mainstream genetic medicine seem more likely.
The Promise
Genetic engineers hope that with enough knowledge and experimentation, it will be possible in the future to create "made-to-order" organisms. This will lead to new innovations, possibly including custom bacteria to clean up chemical spills, or fruit trees that bear different kinds of fruit in different seasons. Any trait occurring in nature can theoretically be mixed with any other to form a totally new organism that would not otherwise occur in nature.
[b]Current Status [/b]
As of late summer of 1998, scientists are able to add simple traits to organisms. They cannot create custom-made animals. They cannot always predict how traits will interact. Before phenomenally new advances can be made, scientists have to learn how to affect cells' DNA with pin-point accuracy, without affecting other traits. Advances like genetic correction for nearsightedness are a long way off. The power of science is limited to knowledge about genetics, gene locations, and trait interactions, but as knowledge grows, so will scientists' abilities to manipulate life.
The genes present in the body of all living organisms helps determine the organism’s habits. Genetic engineering is defined as a set of technologies that are used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move the genes from one species to another to produce new organisms. The techniques used are highly sophisticated manipulations of genetic material and other biologically important chemicals.
Genetic engineering is the the use of various methods to manipulate the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)of cells to produce biological products or to change hereditary traits. Techniques used include using needles to insert DNA into an ovum, hybridomas (hybrids of cancer cells and of cells that make a desired antibody), and recombinant DNA, in which the DNA of a desired gene is inserted into the DNA of a bacterium. The bacterium then reproduces itself, yielding more of the desired gene. Another type is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which referrs to a lab process in which a particular DNA segment is quickly replicated to create a large, easily analyzable sample. The process makes perfect copies of DNA fragments and is used in DNA fingerprinting.
Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic code by artificial means, and is therefore different from traditional selective breeding.
Genetic engineering examples include taking the gene that programs poison in the tail of a scorpion, and combining it with a cabbage. These genetically modified cabbages kill caterpillers because they have learned to grow scorpion poison (insecticide) in their sap.
Genetic engineering also includes insertion of human genes into sheep so that they secrete alpha-1 antitrypsin in their milk - a useful substance in treating some cases of lung disease.
Genetic engineering has created a chicken with four legs and no wings.
Genetic engineering has created a goat with spider genes that creates "silk" in its milk.
Genetic engineering works because there is one language of life: human genes work in bacteria, monkey genes work in mice and earthworms. Tree genes work in bananas and frog genes work in rice. There is no limit in theory to the potential ofgenetic engineering.
Genetic engineering has given us the power to alter the very basis of life on earth.
Genetic engineering has been said to be no different than ancient breeding methods but this is untrue. For a start, breeding or cross-breeding, or in-breeding (for example to make pedigree dogs) all work by using the same species. In contrast genetic engineering allows us to combine fish, mouse, human and insect genes in the same person or animal.
Genetic engineering therefore has few limits - except our imagination, and our moral orethical code.
Genetic engineering makes the whole digital revolution look nothing. Digital technology changes what we do. Genetic engineering has the power to change who we are.
Human cloning is a type of genetic engineering, but is not the same as truegenetic manipulation. In human cloning, the aim is to duplicate the genes of an existing person so that an identical set is inside a human egg. The result is intended to be a cloned twin, perhaps of a dead child. Genetic engineering in its fullest form would result in the child produced having unique genes - as a result of laboratory interference, and therefore the child will not be an identikit twin.
Genetic engineering could create crops that grow in desert heat, or without fertiliser. Genetic engineering could make bananas or other fruit which contain vaccines or othermedical products.
Genetic engineering will alter the basis of life on earth - permanently - unless controlled. This could happen if - say - mutant viruses, or bacteria, or fish or reptiles are released into the general environment.
If genetic engineering is defined as changing an organism's DNA to make it more beneficial, genetic engineering has been going on for a very, very long time in the form of selective breeding. However, actually going into a cell and changing its genome by inserting or removing DNA is a very new technology.
Ancient History
Selective breeding has been going on for countless generations. In fact, it is even mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 30:25 - 43). In the account, Jacob was employed as a shepherd under his father-in-law Laban. Instead of receiving wages, Jacob received the black, streaked, and spotted sheep, and Laban kept all the white sheep. Jacob craftily arranged for his black sheep to mate with Laban's white sheep, producing streaked and spotted sheep. Jacob did so well with this scheme that Laban's family began to get mad at Jacob, and he eventually had to leave.
Difficulties
Selective breeding is effective enough if the goal is to maintain or gradually improve a group of animals. Over the decades, selective breeding has brought us improved strains of cattle and specialized breeds of dogs. However, these advances have taken hundreds of years to effect. In addition to the time concerns, it is often impossible to know which traits will be transferred to the offspring.
Limits
Selective breeding is a long, tedious process that has its limits. It is impossible through selective breeding to mix traits from two totally different species. If a junkyard owner wanted a guard dog that could squirt ink like an octopus, he would be unable to create such an animal. It is physically impossible, because the genetics of life are such that traits from two different organisms cannot be mixed. That is where genetic engineering comes in.
The Progress
Modern genetic engineering began in 1973 when Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen used enzymes to cut a bacteria plasmid and insert another strand of DNA in the gap. Both bits of DNA were from the same type of bacteria, but this milestone, the invention of recombinant DNA technology, offered a window into the previously impossible -- the mixing of traits between totally dissimilar organisms. To prove that this was possible, Cohen and Boyer used the same process to put a bit of frog DNA into a bacteria.
Since 1973, this technology has been made more controllable by the discovery of new enzymes to cut the DNA differently and by mapping the genetic code of different organisms. Now that we have a better idea of what part of the genetic code does what, we have been able to make bacteria that produce human insulin for diabetics (previously came from livestock), as well as EPO for people on kidney dialysis (previously came from urine of people in third world countries with ringworm).
In 1990, a young child with an extremely poor immune system recieved genetic therapy. Some of her white blood cells were genetically manipulated and re-introduced into her bloodstream while she watched Sesame Street. These new cells have taken over for the original, weak white cells, and her immune system now works properly. Although relatively few people have had their cells genetically altered, these advances have made the prospect of mainstream genetic medicine seem more likely.
The Promise
Genetic engineers hope that with enough knowledge and experimentation, it will be possible in the future to create "made-to-order" organisms. This will lead to new innovations, possibly including custom bacteria to clean up chemical spills, or fruit trees that bear different kinds of fruit in different seasons. Any trait occurring in nature can theoretically be mixed with any other to form a totally new organism that would not otherwise occur in nature.
[b]Current Status [/b]
As of late summer of 1998, scientists are able to add simple traits to organisms. They cannot create custom-made animals. They cannot always predict how traits will interact. Before phenomenally new advances can be made, scientists have to learn how to affect cells' DNA with pin-point accuracy, without affecting other traits. Advances like genetic correction for nearsightedness are a long way off. The power of science is limited to knowledge about genetics, gene locations, and trait interactions, but as knowledge grows, so will scientists' abilities to manipulate life.
